Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-07-30

orient, wheeled across the burning heavens
slowly to the western horrizon-at midday
flinging down scorchng beams, and at
twilight throwing long, lengthening sha-
dows over water, wood and rolling prairie,
but 10 those on the high cliff, no relief
came.
Still the whitening sunbeams fell upon
them, drying up their very life-blood still
those gigantic shadows creeping closer and
closer about their hearts. They acre star
ving.
And there, at the very base Of the rock,
sat silent and mmovabe as the frs which
shrouded them from the fierce sun ray, that
implacable chieltain surrounded by his
warriors. Neither love, mercy, nor pity
entered his hinty heart. His bitterest foe
had stolen his farest hower--his only
child--the daughter OF a race oil kings, had
left her wigwam for that of his enemy
| Vengeance upon them both--the bitter foe,
and the ,faittteSs daughter.
White, wan, emancIated, they wandered
about on the brow Of the cliff, like ghosts,
from the far of hunting grounds of their
race. Strong warriors who had not quail
| eO III tue uiTPSl, utdultSt (OIiudts uO"
sunk down like reeds before the breath Of
famine. Brave chiefs who would have
laughed in derision at the arrow or the
scalping-knite, now felt fercer, ksener
| pang, than poisoned shaft or merciless TOM
ahawk ever Inflicted. With plenty around
! them, they were starving.
The red deer left browsing in its leafy
covert and came down to drink the clear
waters below but no norsel OF venison
could pass their lips-no drop OF that cool
water could lave their swollen, parched
tongues. The deer tapped up the crystal
| liquid Of the river--snuffpd the cool breeze,
and then catching glimpse OF the dusky
figures fitting TO and fro, toss-d its antlers
and darted away to the greenwood again
| the bright waters danced onward beneath,
with a wild mocking freedom, as they bent
down their despairing gaze and there, be-
low, sat those dark stern warriors like sta
tues, grim and immovable. Oh, it was
! horrible!
And the Indian maiden came to the
brink OF the precipice, and with her long,
dark hair streaming like the folds Of rent
banner on the wind, bent down and pleaded
with agonizing gestures and frantic entrea-
ties 10 her sire, whom she saw far, far be-
low. But never a tone Of tenderness, or
token of reconciliation went up from that
proud, insulted soul. He had chosen the
haian's rspenge.
Day by day that doomed band thinned
away, until at length famine alone reigned
conqueror upon the summit of the cliff
Day by day they wasted and at last all
was still. No ghostly forms wandered
about-no wailing voice broke silence
But one of the besrged warriors escaped ;
) and he, Discerning in the shade of night TO
shelving projection not far above the riv-
er, flung himself down into the water,
where his faithful squaw awaited him in
her light canoe and received him as he
arose. Then padding silently down the
stream, and thence 10 the shore, they dart
ed feetly into the dark, dense forest, anc
thus escaped TO tell their tribe the dreadful
G tale.
e When all was still upon the summit, thu
e avenged chieitain and his band assembled
t The Indians wrath was appeased - hi
t vengeance had indeed been terrible. Their
r they lay upon the gray rock, those wasted
d skelcton-like warriors, all stark and stiff
e and there too, the Indian maiden had diet
t IN the arms OF her lover-her white face
oh so fearful to look upon her lon!
S streaming hair, alike her bridal veil an
It shroud.
y They missed her when the evening shade,
t Fell sadly on the ground
= No echo Of her footsteps
is To break the silence round
e They missed her when the silver stars
n Shnnc from the blue OF heaven;
e For she was wont to watch their light,
r. Burst on the summer
Il They missed her when the balmy breeze
"A Came sghng sadly near;
1t brought no murmur Of her voice
- Unto the lstning
Y They missed her when the merry laugh
"a Rang out in gadness free
Her absent tone wanting there,
To swell its notes Of elee
n They missed her in the pleasant paths
- She lrod in sunny houIs;
TX They missed the hand that plucked for them
We The bright and blooming fow'n.
And now, il is said, full Oft by the pa
~ moonlight are seen wan, ghosily 6gur
" gliding TO and fro upon the cliff, with da
-. plumes floating upon the night wind; a
IN ever and anon, the spectral forms of I
~ -: Indian maiden and her sky warrior c
.II ' er, stand upon the brink, and In low, wa
y" ing voices chant their deah-dirge ere tn
a. 90 afar 10 dwell together in the CIR,
y Spirits hunting grounds. Thus runs ST
al Legend OF the Starved Rock"
RS, -