Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-10-21
,NUMBER 81.
THE BIRD OF ALTON.
ny ALFALFA

There is found inscribed on the preciptous
face Of a cliff. in side gulf. or gorge, in The
Mississippi valley, near Alton the figure OF n
gigantic bird, which is supposed 10 represent
the condor. This figure is traced on part of
the cliff inaccessible 10 man. without resor,:ng
TO some unusual means 10 reach such height;
and the wonder is. how the simple natives.
who were ignorant the use Of a ladder, could
reach such an emnence. on tins curious de-
vice, now obscurea bg time, the ancient Hi
nois had the following tradition.
| Many years ago, and hong before tie white
man came to tins continent, huge and fierce
bird lived in the Miss ssippi valley. He made
his nests on the cliffs oil the mountains. and
/ few down into the plains and valleys, making
loud noise with his wings and carving off
| children, as well as whole animals, ia his
enormous claws. There appeared 10 be but
one family Of these great birds, bat they in
creased so fast, and spread such terror among
the tribes. that the Illinois were nj their
wits end what TO do. But ii was the grea,
maie, or king of the nest, who caused the
alarn-every attempt TO Kill him had failed
lie generally came at unexpected times, and
few off with his prey before they could come
near enough 10 draw their arrows on him.
One night Alpeora. who had child carried
away by this terrific bird, dreamed that nj such
a time, their great enemy would aligh, on a
certain cliff, and that il ae prepared his bow
and arrow well. he could kill him from the
opposite side oil the gorge. but Il he failed. the
dream went on 10 warn him, that the enraged
bird would fly down aud eat him up, aud all
his family. As soon as be awoke he defer
mined 10 venture his lie in the attempt and
Immediately began to prepare for IT, He took
the longest and heaviest bow he had, aud
carefully examined and re adjusted its sinewy
string aud prepared an arrow with a long aud
sharp dart Of the choisesi flint He filed his
culver with a supply. of other darts; he pain
led yisage as il for war; he then bcltcd on his
forest accoutremcnts he took his stone hatch
Ct, pointed sharp al each end, and his heavy
war club, as il he were going into battle; he
ornamened his head with the honorcd lcath-
ers OF the war eagle, the proudest trophy Of
tprowess known to the North American tribes
From the shoulders and back descend fringes
Of dressed deer skin, ornamented with shining
plates Of MICA. His ballrice or belt confined
various articles essential 10 the chase His
leggings were trimmed With shells from dis
tant seashore, and 10 the heel 81 each mecca
sin there was attached by d string The skin OF a
polecat--an animal, which conscious OF lis
peculiar mode OF defence, Heter runs from lis
p1Tster: and hence IS adopted by tie tribes
as M emblem Of brayerg.
Thus armed, Alpeora went oiii At the car
lest glimse of morning and as he walked to-
wards the deiiie Of the gorge. Which lad been
pictured Of his infancy in his dream, he reel
Ted his war song with all the ierver he could
have used, had he been marching against a
human foe
While il was YET scarcely Ugh, enough 10
see, he concealed himself in small clump Of
bushes opposite the bald face Of Tile cliff, where
his dream told him the bird would ali ght He
waited with great Impotence. He looked
round TO see that all his implements in order !;
then took small piece of root from his pouch.
which IS supposed TO give courage 10 warriors.
and put it in his mouth. The first dim and
soft upshoo,s Of light to be visible in the east
and toretold the rising sun as he finished
chewing the sacred stimulate, he say. the bird
passing over his head toward the cliff. He a.
lighted within range of his arrow For a
moment, terror passed over his nerves. A qi-
gantic figure, with folded wings, which were
ample enough TO cover his entire lodge, sat
before him. His claws and bills were enor-
nous. His eyes glanced out FIRE. The very
conclusion Of his wings upon the air, seemed
like low pelting thunder.
But Alpeora rallied. In few moments he
drew his massive bow and BY the aid Of his
knee noched the string and taking his choic-
ed arrow, drew Itup with 1.-The strength and
energy of praciised hunter and aiming il
at the BIRDS heart, uttered the exclamation,
oh! and cast his life on the ISSUE Success
crowned the shot. The stiffness and serenity
of the air favored the passage Of the arrow. A
true aim and desperate strength, united to
the comparative shortness ofthe distance gave
him the victory. The bird fell bleeding flut
terinp nj the fDot Of the cliff ipf hafora b.,