The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 9, August, 1836Various
History
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 9, August, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
But the glaring improbability of this _rencontre_ (an incident upon
which the whole narrative depends) is perhaps the worst feature in Mr.
French's novel. Matters now proceed in a more rational manner. The
Indians, eight in number, having finished their war-dance, make off
with their prey. The two hunters (for Mr. R. has turned hunter) swim
the river and proceed to follow in pursuit, with the view of seizing
any favorable opportunity for rescuing the young lady. There are now
some points of interest. At one time, our friends, hiding in the trunk
of a tree, are near being discovered by the red men, when these latter
are turned from the path by the rattling of a snake. This is a
manœuvre on the part of Earthquake, who carries the rattles about his
person. Something of the same kind, however, is narrated by Cooper. At
another period, one of the eight becoming separated from the party, is
waylaid and dexterously slain. Mr. Rolfe too, manages to obtain a
glimpse of the face of the captive, and is convinced of her being his
inamorata. The pursuit, however, is unsuccessful, and the maiden is
carried to the camp of Tecumseh.
We have now a description of this warrior—of his brother Elkswatawa,
the Prophet—of Net-nok-wa, the female chief of the Ottawas—and of
Mis-kwa-bun-o-kwa her daughter. The two latter are on a visit to
Tecumseh, who refuses, for state reasons, the proffered hand of
Mis-kwa-bun-o-kwa. This princess, becoming interested in the fate of
our heroine, begs her of the Prophet as a slave. The Prophet yields,
and Miss Foreman is carried by Mis-kwa-bun-o-kwa to visit some of the
latter's friends on the Wabash, before setting off for the more
distant regions of her tribe. In the meantime, our hunters, arriving
at the camp, and having reconnoitred it in vain for any traces of the
captive, boldly enter the camp itself, and demand the maiden at the
hands of the Prophet. His hostile intentions not being yet
sufficiently ripe, Elkswatawa receives them with kindness, and gives
them fair words, but disclaims any knowledge of Miss Foreman. Being
desired, however, to aid the search by means of his power as a
Prophet, the Indian finally points out the true route of
Mis-kwa-bun-o-kwa's party, and our hunters taking leave, determine, as
nothing better can be done, to return home for assistance. On their
way they come across the body of the Indian, who, it will be
remembered, was separated from his party and killed by our friends.
Upon his person they find, among other articles, a handkerchief marked
with the letters _R. Rolfe_, in the hand-writing of our hero. He
remembers having exchanged handkerchiefs with Miss F. on the day of
his leaving Petersburg, and his doubts are now, consequently, resolved
into certainty. This incident determines Rolfe to proceed immediately
up the Wabash. Here, too, he fails in the object of his search, and
the hunters commence their return. On the route an Indian woman is
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