Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-03-11
From the Netc York Mirror.
ONEYO AND MERANO.
AN INDIAN TALE.

"lney ioVed-outs uch their gnileless passion
was
As in the dawn of time inforn'd the heart,
ut Innocence and Understanding truth"
twas autumn, when Merano, enticed
by the serenity of the evening strayed
from her father in laws habitation, ISL
tuated in small village, bordering on
Lake Ontario,) and sought those de-
hghtful spots, so often frequented with
her beloved Oneyo. As her anxious
eyes gaZed on the smooth waters of the
lake, sae silently thought of him she low
ed
''Oh ! when will he RETURN" she ex-
claimed; "when will the swift canoe
come bounding DER the lake, and watt
my hero to my arms?"
She paused, and turning round, beheld
her father by her side
"Cease your complaints my daugh-
ter" said he; yoar Oneyo will return
safe. He is brave and intrepid. | know
that the warriors of Albion are undaun-
ted; but still my son is invincible.--
Come, dry up those tears; all will yet
be well.''
"Oh my father! should he not return,
who then will be my friend-who then
will be my comforter ?--Perhaps, even
pow, some envious ball has laid him in
the dust. Perhaps, now he lies bleeding
No, no, cannot bear the thought.
Oneyo, | will die with you"
The old man endeavored to calm her
grief.
"Fear not, my daughter, he will re-
turn victorious; but you speak of dying
would you too leave me ?'
Merano fell on her knees.
Leave you oh no you were my
preserver. Can l forget the dreadful
day when your countrymen wished to
sacrifice me to their god Aroski II You
were present, your son Oneyo was beside
you-he entreated you to save me-you
were affected you interposed-you re-
deemed me-can | forget all this Ne
yer! No, father, nerer will leave you"
The old man tenderly raised her from
the ground, with assurances of the safe
return finer lover.
"Come, my daughter" said he, ''let
rs return to the hamlet; night wears a
pace. But see, faithful Wanda speeds
this way"
Wanda had been seeking Ononthio,
having been despatched by the elders of
his tribe, who were at that moment
holding consultation respecting the
sacrifice of a prisoner who had been ia
ken in battle; a prisoner of some conse-
quence TO them, on account of his bra
very, having displayed singular proves
when surrounded by a host OF his enc
mics. On the morning following, they
intended to burn him at the stake, and
only waited the return of Ononthio to
sanction their resolves. Merano retired
with Ononthio, to their las she thought)
deso'ate home: when at length balmy
sleep threw pleasing enchantment over
her senses she dreamed OF Oneyo.
Merano left her parents when quite
young, and having strayed from her
nurse, under whose care she was placed
by her only remaining relative, her
brother, was seized upon by party Of
Indians, in the vicinity of Albany, and
carried off triumphantly. She had been
rescued from the flames, through the
lnterposltion of Ononthio, and adopted
into his family as his daughter, after
giving her the name of Merano. An
attachment was soon formed between
his son and Merano which had ripened
into love with their years. Oneyo doat-
ed on her, and she gave him in return
all she had to giye-her love. This was
the first time they had been separated,
and she fervently prayed for the return
OF peace-she aid not take her
-"1esve of him, but had
Most pretty things to say. ere she could tell
him
How she would think ofhim at certain hours,
Such thoughts, and such''
Merano was awakened the next morn
ing with the din preparation. Crowds
oil warriors, women, and children. were
in Fastening to the scene of death. A
stake wa, firmly fixed in The ground, to
which the prisoner was bGunG. The
pile already blazed, when Ohonthio and
Eierano arrived. She shuddered, when
she beheld the fine form and noble
countenauce of the stranger
''Pernaps, like me-" she thought, '.,0
is an orphan. and ike my Oneyp, some
unhappy msiLen may langqisa for his