The Rhode Island Republican

Alexandria, (La.) April 8.

A remnant of several broken tribes of Indians are to be found wandering about in the most parts of our State. Their condition is truly miserable as time has proved it to be impracticable to reconcile them to the customs of civilization. The following occurrence is an evidence of the tenacity with which they still adhere to a law that prevailed with their respective tribes, and we believe, now prevails with most of the tribes in North America. When an Indian is slain, the murderer, is, in turn, killed by the nearest relation of the deceased. In accordance with this custom, several years ago, an Indian was brought to this place to be offered up as a sacrifice to the manes of another Indian whose life he had previously taken. The nearest relation of the departed appeared to perform the part of the executioner; but the sympathies of the whites becoming enlisted, they interfered and deprived him of his gun.—The intended victim sat by the side of his grave with perfect composure, and insisted on his execution. As the hour appointed for execution was drawing to a close, the relation of the deceased, becoming frantic from disappointment from having been deprived of his gun, seized a spade, with which he executed his deadly purpose before any timely interference could be effected. A brother of this victim, at that time a lad about fifteen or sixteen years old, was exceedingly enraged at the manner of execution, and threatened to be revenged. This threat was put in execution near the same spot, a few nights since, by killing the avenger. But the life of the last slayer was doomed to atone for this act, and he himself was offered up a sacrifice the very next day.