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Richardson, John, 1796-1852

"Wacousta : a tale of the Pontiac conspiracy (Complete)"

Attired in the garb in which we first introduced
him to our readers, and with the same weapons reposing
at his side, the haughty savage lay at his lazy length;
his feet reaching beyond the opening of the tent, and
his head reposing on a rude pillow formed of a closely
compressed pack of skins of wild animals, over which was
spread a sort of mantle or blanket. One hand was introduced
between the pillow and his head, the other grasped the
pipe tomahawk he was smoking; and while the mechanical
play of his right foot indicated pre-occupation of thought,
his quick and meaning eye glanced frequently and alternately
upon the furthest of his companions, the prisoner without,
and the distant fort.
Within a few feet of the warrior lay, extended on a
buffalo skin, the delicate figure of a female, whose
hair, complexion, and hands, denoted her European
extraction. Her dress was entirely Indian, however;
consisting of a machecoti with leggings, mocassins, and
shirt of printed cotton studded with silver brooches,--all
of which were of a quality and texture to mark the wearer
as the wife of a chief; and her fair hair, done up in a
club behind, reposed on a neck of dazzling whiteness.


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