Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-16
A FOREST TALE.
THE CHIEFTAIN's OATH.

lage, which although 1t bore its present til
tie, at the time of which we are speaking,
in the year 1911, was called by the people
generally by its Indian name of Nauemkeag.
The place has changed since that date,
from quiet village to a populous city, and
the improving hand of time passing heavily
over it, had caused many of its green hills
to be covered with busy workshops, whose
occupants have been found adopts in turn
ing nature into art, by levelling hills into
valleys and destroying vestiges of the for
mer, as fast and sometimes faster than was
absolutely necessary. ,.t t-a. -as
But there is one spot which neither time
nor improvement has altered, little grass
covered hill, situated not a great way from
Hawthorn's Point, near what is now called
the Salient Neck.
1t was on top of the little hill mentioned
above that Ella Corwin had chosen rest, in
company with female companion, whom
we shall call Annette Arnold, after revel-
ling and romping about the green fields for
the greater part of the afternoon of warm
day in August.
"This is a beautiful spot to rest upon, do
you not think it is, Annette % said Ella,
after the two had remained seated for few
minutes in silence.
81 certainly do think so, dear Ella" re-
piled Annette, ''lor here we have an excel
lent view of the broad bay, and the fair
islands which rest upon its now tranquil
bosom, and"
GA picturesque view of several Indian
wigwams," is laughngly interrupted Ella,
"whose very interesting occupants, the
squaws and papooses you can observe, are
now busily engaged in summing themselves
in the glade below" -....
"Oh, Ella" answered Annette sadly,-
show can you so delight to turn every
thing into ridicule? ?"
"That's just what father tells me-" re-
piled Ella, in the same light tone as before,
$50 l suppose it is so--but there, declare
/ cannot help it, although, perhaps, as l
grow older shall grow WISER, and leave
my wild talk, at the same time that drop
my wild actions.'' ... ...s.. ...r.
81 hope, sincerely, the time will soon
come," replied Annette, who was more
staid, more sincere, and somewhat older
than her companion.
"Perhaps it may come sooner than you
expect it, dear Annette" responded Ella,
as slight shade of sadness momentarily
covered her fair brow, Gas next year sail
for England, there to be-" r-s
"What % interrupted Annette.
"Married," answered Ella.
"Ha-you are going to be married." re-
peated Annette, with astonishment-ssyo
must be joking now."
"On the contrary" said Ella, was nev-
er more serious in my life."
sDid you not tell me no longer than yes
terday," said Annette, earnestly, s'that you
had blighted your troth to Kamara, the
young chief of the Naragansetts, who has
lately come here to learn something of the
manners of the English"
"Certainly, Annette" replied Ella, s'I
did tell you that engaged myself to Ka-
mara, and that is the truth, but it was all in
fun you know" .......
'sWhat was all in fun, maiden?" exclaim-
ed strange voice, which proceeded from
the lips of tall, but handsome Indian
youth, who had approached the girls un-
perceived, from the opposite side of the
hill.
"For goodness sake, Kamara, where have
you come from" :" asked Ella, somewhat
startled at the chieftain's sudden approach
before her.
"From below" answered Kamara, with
bitter sneer, "where the squaws and pa
pooses are busily engaged in the interesting
occupation of summing themselves"
"Ha." said Ella, $50 you have been list
ening to our conversation. That was manly
business certainly" ...,t...
"Manly or not, did listen 10 your con-
versation-and now, if you will deign to
listen will tell you how came to lsten."
"Oh, Pll listen fast enough, if that's all
you want" as her voice rang out in clear
loud laugh, at the young chieftain's solemn
earnestness. r. ... .-tr.. .
Folding his arms and regarding her with
look in which revenge, contempt, and
love seemed to be strangely blended, Ka-
mara addressed Ella thus:
"But little time ago KaTara left his ma
tive tribe, and came here to Naumkeag, to
learn the language of the pale faces, their
manners and customs. Here he had not
been long before he saw the pale face mai
den who now sits before him, and loved
her. Aye, Kamara loved the pale face
maiden beca'ise her feet were as those of
the mountain deer, her voice was as soft
as the summer nightingale's, and because
her features were as beautiful as those OF an
angel, whom he had dreamt of as dwelling
in the spirit land. .... ..,--
Kamara told the maiden of the great love
he bore her, told her that he for her sake
would forsake his Indian habits, and try to
become in language and manners, even a.
the white man, and she, what answer did
she return to all this ?" ~.
s'Ha, ha, ha," laughed Ella, 81 suppose
that means me. Well, good Kamara, go or
and tell the answer l did return to YOU
+ long love story"
"Did you not tell me,"' bitterly replied
Kamara, s'if I waited patiently the lapse O
three years that you would then become
my wife % . '''a q .a7aE'7l Yh,re fai .a
"Yes," answered Ella, sand have per
haps told dozen others the same story