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Entered according to Act of Congress by Pictorial Printing Co. In the office of the Librarian at Washington. D. C., in the year 1877
| SERIES ONE. | CHICAGO. | NUMBER 17 |
LITTLE OSKALOO,[A]
OR,
THE WHITE WHIRLWIND.
BY T. C. HARBAUGH.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY AND A MYSTERY.
If, in the month of July, 1794, an observing white man couldhave traveled unmolested from the banks of the Ohio river duenorth to the famous Maumee rapids, he would have been struckwith the wonderful activity manifested in the various Indianvillages on his route.
No signs of idleness would have greeted his eye; the youngwarrior did not recline in the shadow of his birchen lodgeenjoying the 2comforts of summer life in mid forest. If his imagewas reflected in the clear streams, it was but for a moment, ashis lithe canoe shot from bank to bank. Everything between thetwo rivers portended war.
Indian runners were constantly departing and arriving at theseveral native villages, and excited groups of Shawnees,Delawares and Wyandots discussed—not the latest deer trails northe next moon-feast, but the approaching contest for the masteryof power.
A few years had passed away since they had met and conqueredHarmar and St. Clair. Those bloody victories had rendered theIndian bold and aggressive. He believed himself invincible, andpointed with pride to the scalps taken on the ill-fated 4th ofNovember, ’91.
But a new foe had advanced from the south—treading in thetracks of St. Clair’s butchered troops, but with his stern eyefixed on victory. The Indians were beginning to exhibit signs ofalarm—signs first exhibited at the British posts in the““Northwestern Territory,” where the powers and generalship ofWayne were known and acknowledged.
It was the impetuous, Mad Anthony who led the advancing columnsthrough the Ohio forests. He had entered the blood-drenchedterritory with the victory of Stony Point to urge him on tonobler deeds, and with the firm determination of punishing thetribes, as well as of avenging the defeat of his predecessors.
Tidings of his advance spread like wildfire from village tovillage, and councils became the order of day and night alike.
The Indians knew the Blacksnake, as they called Wayne, and some,in their fear, counseled peace. But that was not to be thoughtof by the chiefs and the young Hotspurs whose first scalps hadbeen torn from the heads of Butler’s men.
Such sachems as Little Turtle, Blue Jacket, and Bockhougahelasstirred the Indian heart, and not a few words of encouragementcame fro