The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-03-05

Alleghenes, this place (pointing to the Painted
Rocks) was the residence of an evil spirit, who
was terror to the various tribes then inhabtng
the Mississippi valley. AS tradition runs, the
monster of gigantic size, sort OF amphibl-
Gus creature, whose residence was in the caverns
of these cliffs, the entrance to which the Indians
suppose to be below low water mark but, though
the Indians perhaps the hest divers in the uni
verse, none were ever bold enough to examine
whether the existence of the caves is real or not.
The body Of this strange creature was covered
over with large iron spikes, projecting some three
or four inches out on the surface. Attached to his
arms in the place of hands, were large iron hooks,
with which, it is said, he used to grapple the ca
noes of the Indians, and draw them under water.
1t appears, by the tradition, that some of the more
remote tribes were not aware OF his location be-
fore they were minus some warriors, who perish
cd in this manner One picture on the rocks, in
particular was pointed out by our friend the In
dian, who told us that it and all the others were
representations of the evil deeds of this hayward
spirit, and that they made there by the
friends Of the sufferers, momentoes of their lost
intended to represent a canoe and seven Indians
who were destroyed by the spirit. Several others
were explained, but their meanings have now es-
capped my recollection.
On rcqucstioning our friend and appearing to
doubt some of his statements, he became little
out of humor hut renewing his gravity with the
continuation o. his story proceeded to tell us
that, when Infatuated, the demon would dance
upon the edge of the cliffs that his strength and
power was such, that WREN he stamped upon the
solid rock it would part asunder; and to that day
the Indian believed he could point out the foot
steps of the spirit on the level surface of the
rocks.
How long this region was infested by this spi-
rit, tradition does not tell but suppose it was
for some length OF time. When some five or six
miles above the spot, phase was pointed out to
US where the Indians, when descending the river,
used to disembork and drag their canoes from the
water, and convey them by land from this point to
another below Alton, before they were again
launched This was considered necessary to avoid
the iron claws of the evil one.
The spirit had a squaw, but about her could get
no information. Tradition has not carried down
to us any thing remarkable concerning her. No
thing more than her existence is known.
The hero of our story met his death at last and
as he was a supernatural being himself he had 10
perish by supernatural means. Two small boys,
of the Creek Nation, were the dcsroyers of this
dcvourer of their species. Tradition says, these
boys were twins, and were fonnd in the woods.
Who their parents were, none could tell. They
are said to have been formed like other Indians,
with this exception, that in the place of arms,
were substituted long sharp swords. These boys
were sent to fight the spirit. The belief is, that
they fought long and hard, and had much diff
Guilty in conquering their foe, but they finally pre-
vailed When it was known to the Indians that
their ancient enemy was destroyed, great rejoicing
inform the distant trbes-the body OF the monster
was dragged from the river, where the battle was
fought-and when the runners returned and
brought their friends and allies with them to wit
ness the truth Of their reports, it was resolved that
such happy termination of their troubles should
be celebrated in the greatest style. The French
and Spaniards who lived in the neighhoihood
were all invited to be present. The evil spirit
was cooked up, and, as the Indian said, made
into soup" and all those who had suffered loss Of
friends by his malice were made to cat it up and
so numerous were they, that but small share
was allotted to each. Whether the squaw shared
the fate of her lord; or whether the iron spikes
which were an appendage to the body were de-
vourcd our Indian friend was unable to say If
such was the case, the partakers of that banquet
were undoubtedly blessed with digestive organs
such as we mortals Of the 10Th century can form
but little estimation ours arc cast in rather a
more delicate mould.
| You have the tale as | received it. Such as it
| is, it is universally believed by the Indians
| a Circassiau Breakfast.
| 7, , ,yo1k ovnr ona of tho hills this