"Where the Kansas wanders free By the willowy Siskadee There their pictured tent is spread, With the soft fur carpeted; And that sweet young mother there Smiling through her lavish hair, Oft shall sing her hunter's glory, Oft shall tell his daring story, Till the listening Kansas maid, Lying listless in the shade, Dreams, perchance (for wild or tame Woman's romance is the same), Of some hero's circling arm Shielding her from deadly harm; And the Indian boy anear, Leaning on his fishing spear, Sees that same coy maiden bound On the Pawnee's hunting ground-- He, upon his father's steed, Hurrying at her cry of need-- Feels her arms around him thrown, Feels her heart beat with his own, And her soft breath, quick and low, O'er his dark cheek come and go-- Hears behind the Pawnee yell Fainter on the breezes swell-- Sees with joy the morning's beam Flashing from his native stream, As he drops his courser's rein By the Kansas tent again."
John B. Dunbar, who, in relating the story, asserts that the captive was a Comanche girl, has preserved the Indian song in honor of Pit-a-le-shar´-u, the hero. The oft recurring portion
Lu! ti-wak´-o-le We-tut-i-wit-a Pit-a-le-shar´-u,
Well, he exclaimed, You see I am come, I, Pit-a-le-shar´-u.
Although among the fiercest of the prairie Indians, the Pawnees never carried on an organized war against the Government. They were, however, always on hostile terms with the Sioux, Kaws, Osages, Iowas, Sacs and Foxes.
In a beautiful wooded region, near the Missouri River, were the villages of the Iowas and Sacs. A vast extent of prairie reached west and southward. The Indians lived in huts of bark stretched over poles. Implements for out-door work consisted of the "squaw-axe" and hoe, purchased from traders. Iron camp kettles, wooden bowls and ladles were the only utensils for domestic use. The tribes still clung to barbarous customs when the Highland mission was founded; and their teacher narrated that, at one time, a great feast was given in his honor. The principal article of food was a savory soup. He mentally congratulated himself on having been presented with a dish so pleasing to the taste that he might show due appreciation of the honor conferred upon him. Suddenly one of the hosts, in broken English, said: