New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-03-11
From Godey's Ia.y's Book.
THE LEGEND OF INDIAN HOLE.
AgaIe of marris Gnuntn, Crras.

Galf OF Aearrts Snuntn, grras.
CHAPTER I.
Amidst the broad plain that the Rio San Ja-
cnto bounds on the North, and the Brazos on |
the South rises the small but well-known stream
of Clare (now called Clear) Creek. Like all
streams bayous OF its class, it presents nothing
remarkable in its appearance. During the sum
mer and fallthe dry season--the bed near its
source remains nearly destitute of water; but,
as you descend, the waters increase, the banks
become wider, and the timber, which was but
small and scattering at first, assumes larger
and thicker growth, graduating its density and
size with that Of the bayou, the course OF which
it follows until finally it swells out to large
forest as the creek enters Lake Clear; and
through the lake the bayou forces its way on,
winding along through prairie and woodland,
until it empties its waters into the broad Bay OF
Galveston.
As | remarked, there is nothing extraordinary
in the appearance Of this creek. either in its size
or length, to distinguish it from many others
| similar, and in the same section Of country
| and it probably would never have been SO but
for scene enacted on its banks, the memory Of
which is still green in the recollection Of many
| Some six or eight miles from its source, the
! bayou swells out around kind Of point or pro
lection of the bank, and then, contracting again.
| forms a basin or pond which remains full. or
nearly so, of sweet clear water, during the en-
tire summer. This is u lovely spot, and the one
our tale refers to- it is known as Indian Hole
| Here. scattered wild. the lily of the vale
| Its baluy essence breathes here cowslips hang
| Their dewy heads. and purple violets lurk.
| With all the lowy children of the shade
, Look around you whilst you are here, and be-
hold this vast extended plain that spreads out
before us in solemn grandeur, its unbroken view
extending far away in the distant horizon, where
:. the blue arched sky seems to descend and NEE
e e it in gentle embrace. What authors pen cal
do Justice to this boundless prairie ocean, 1t:
ma gnitude reminds one Of the Atlantic, and it
. grassy ridges waving in long rolls with the sur
light gstcning in the valleys. also recall to mno
the oceans swell after the gale has passed. Who
can paint the bright colors of the rainbow tint
that stud its bosom, whose odor, the prairie's
breath, scents the air, transporting the weary
hunter into an Elysum sweeter than that crea-
ted by fairy music or the Mussulman's vision
OF his future paradise
Let us lismount, and whilst our horses arc
grazing the tender young grass. We will reclin'
under the shade of this oak, and, in the mean
2 time, enjoying the soft air from the Gulf, ano
the warbling of birds overhead, will relate tc
o you the history Of this place--thc Legend OF th'
. Indian Hole.
o CHAPTER II.
i For ages these green woodlands and plain
u were unknown and untenanted; the deep, op
pressive silence which reigned over all, unbrokel
j. save by the war whoop of the savage, the howlin
e of beasts, and the tramp of the wild horse am
buffalo But anon change came over the spirl
of the scene The fame of the country sprea.
abroad its rich lands, salubrious climate anI
abundance of game were strong Inducements t
tic emigrating portion of the Western people
The white man appeared; his rifle rang throug
the field and forest; the gigantic old trees--pa
triarchs venerable in years, aud gray -heade
with their mantle of noss-bowed beneath TIL
sharp strokes Of the axe Soon cabins arost
y, forming the nucleus Of n settlement. Hundred
~ of hardy pioneers poured in from the Valley
er the Mississippi, bringing with them their al
Settlement after settlement was formed, an
their foothold made good against the nations
.r. sr the wilderness.
,ns The Red Man soon sought the destruction
5s ns the traders, for it needed prophets warnir
voice as to the result of this encroachment
Of the hunting grounds of their toretathers. Nc
.n came the strife for the supremacy, and in Il
of struggle that followed, the red tribes of the 70
est were scattered like leaves before the whi,
wind. Many were the bloody scenes enacte
but, for every white mans scalp taken, doz
aborigines bit the dust. The Indians fled
/ leaving their hills and plains, their homes al
graves of their toretathers in the possession
the conquerors, Unhappy race ears ha
passed away, and the places that once kn'
you, know you no more! The forest that OF
sheltered the lodges Of your tribe, and echt
to the dance and war-whoop, is now usurped
the rising city The plough share has ag
ner' and again passed over the bones of your anc
tors--the golden grain Of Ceres waves over til
,,u. tombs
aud Your day is DER
less Your fires are out from shore 10 shore
nt le.t No for you the wild deer bounds
can The plough is your hunting grounds
unt The pale mans rings through your woods
The pale mans sail skin,s DER the floods.
nar S, Your pleasant springs are dry
r. Your chilren-ook! by power oppressed
Beyond the mountains of the West
Your children go-to die
rO. Among the many hostile tribes with VIII
the white men We're often engaged IN dea
Mer. STRIFE there were none they encountered IN
EGss Ess frequently or who made more desperate re-
tance, than that of the Caronqueways L
loss tribe inhabited the entire coast OF Texas a
from their number, bravery, and savage chaf'
ter were more dreaded than all others. Nun
rous and deadly were the encounters they
with their white toes-dett0t, instead oil weak
inc their courage, served but to eXaspefate th
tbc more-they fought long and well, and "
,monr the last to retreat Their battle he
oxtand from the forests and canebrakes of
>, Trinity TO the surf beaten shore of the Gull
Mexico.
Al the time of our tale. but Il few years
eet passed since this part of the country had been
- tied by emigrants and the teudwa at its hei
Scarcely month would pass away without
IN Messing the blazing OF some lonely ''squatte
81 hut--the murder of his wife and children,
'"' the quick and fearful retribution that follo'
every s,,cb was tho state of affairs when ranort
orders to the settlers, on and near the Bra2os, th
large party of Caronqueway Indians had
- returned from a successful toray against n t
M friendly to the whites and that they, flu
Sst1 with their late victory, were now preparing
., - attack and extcrminate the settlers This
iy spread like prairie fire. and very soon every
,;cht AMI hoy within fifty miles, capable OF hea