Recollection Of Pioneer Life in the Maumee Valley By Ruth (Shirley) Austin Part 6

By this time, a large number of Indians had arrived, and they were very much excited. They buried her on the bank, near the wigwam where she died, and then moved over to the Defiance side of the river--men, squaws, papooses, horses, dogs, camp kettles and all--and camped on the green just below our cabins. Some of the men began to gather wood and brush, and others rails from father's calf pasture for a great fire, while others hobbled and belled the horses. The squaws, in the meanwhile, were stealthily carrying off armfuls of bows and arrows, tomahawks and guns, to hide them in the bushes.
    When it was quite dark, a squaw came into our yard and motioned us to put out all the lights and keep within the house. She said, "Indians mad at white man because half-white killed squaw," We gratefully acted upon her advice. The green was lighted up with the great fire, and we, being in the dark, could distinctly see every movement of the Indians. Not a squaws nor papoose was to be seen; they were all hidden in the bushes. The war--dance commenced to the time of an instrument that sounded like a negro banjo. They had stripped themselves of all clothing except a piece of broadcloth about the loins. They divided into two parties, dancing different ways and then meeting as would enemies, all the time having the wildest gestures, throwing their arms and springing off the ground and keeping up a shrill war- whoop.
    They looked frightful with their faces painted in red streaks on one side and on the other black, and feathers of different colors in their hair. We were thoroughly alarmed; even brother James, our brave pioneer, sat quietly in the house. The war-dance kept up till the great fire had burned down to a mass of coals; then they began to scream and beat upon their camp-kettles, making the howl. We could see the squaws and papoose among them now, and in the  height of the yelling and pounding  we heard the distressed squeal of the pigs and soon smelled the singing of hair. Then father said."Go to bed, children, I am thankful that it required only a pig to appease their wrath." They cooked, ate and slept.