Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-11-05
ORlo1N OF THE MrssissrrpL
as reDIAS lssrSb.
"The river notly foama aud flows,

"The river notly loama aud flows,
The charm Of THE enchanted ground"
Childe Harold.
Mr.. Idito,y y-AThose Of your readers who have
tra, eled up tue Mississippi, must have noticed a.
singular feature, presented by the ecerery above
The mouth Of the Ohio. Here the dull monotony,
caused Nv the long, dense forests Of cotton wood,
and low muddy banks, is relieved by open groves
and lofty rocky cliffs The bluffs are not oontinu-
ous, but pres cit series VI hills or eliEs With in
seryening rayiues, along whish little riyulots flow,
pouring thor limped waters into the muddy stream.
The river here does not, as we might expect, fol-
low the course Of these hOllVws and rayines, but
runs Gt right angles to them, crossing in the same
manner the bold and elevated hills--iorming IN its
passage through them; lofty and o;erhanging cliffs
This appearance, so different from what might be
expected if the river had gradually worn its Ted
through the rocks seems to give Credencoto the In
dian 0,end, which is as follows;
Far back in the vista Of time, before the white
man iutruded upon the hunting grounds OF the In
dian, the country above the mouth Of heO eOhio, was
undivided except by small streams and occupied
BY two powerful aud friendly tribes. The chief Of
each trite had an only son, alike the pride OF their
parents and Of the tribes. These young chiefs had
grown up as friends and had oiion met with their
warriors upon the borders Of the hunting grounds,
to smoke together the pipe Of peace, and to mingle
together in the wild dance Of the savage.
They were both already motel as warriors, and
each had already decked his brow with the scalps
of many a foe. But though in this respect alike,
in many others they differed. Yatoba was OF a
huge and rough mould with coarse and brutal cast
Of features. His nature, too; was vindictive and
reyengful, and his manner was rough and savage.
Hawkitah, upon the contrary, was indeed prince
Of the forest, with tall, erect figures, beautifully
moulded limbs, and easy and agile stop; while his
face--markcd by the signs the sayage--reyealed
generous and faithful heart.
But the friendship that had existed between
them from childhood was soon to be served. The
influence Of love was felt by tho sons Of the forest
They looked around upon nature and learned its
! lesson. The wolf saw them, In their dark glen
they had his fellow; the proud eagle in tho pride Of
his hoart watched over the pride Of his companion
and the cooing dove, with piaintiye melody
mourned the absence Of his mate.
! They read this lesson of nature and their hos
oms burned for fair one, to share with them th'
! fruits Of the chase, and the honors Of war.
| There lived in one Of thetnbes brave warrior
who had daughter idras the morning star He
eyes were bright Us tue gazclies-her voice ~
sweet as the warblngs Of the nockng-bird, and he
movement as light ~ the morning breeze.
Il Natoba was soon aware Of his defeat and toe
wary to let the storm of passion it aroused in h
bosom be exhibited in single feature, and tO'
yindictiye TO let it 20 uureycnged, he continued hi
professions Of friendship, but in his healt he sc
crellv resolved. that il she could not be his. sh
still they smoked the pipe Of peace--still t0gcthe
J pursued the painting deer and together led th
Indian maiden through the grotesque figures o
the dance
liawktah and Wynonah were happy, no
dreamed of the dark revenge that lurkcd beneat
the false smile that played upon his lips whcncye
in their presence. Every thing was now ready io
the nuptial hour. Upon one Of those lovely hill.
} at the base Of which now flows the deep rolin
tide Of the Mississippi were collected many of tn
fair and brave of both tribes, to witness the uul
tial ceremony. The moon in cloudless majesty
poured upon hill and dale, and tree and flower he
silver light. and the grass wet with the cyenin
dew, sparkled with thousand gems.
Ii was wild aud beautiful scene. Beneath
4 proud oak, which had dclied the storms Of age
stood Nynona, and her gray-harei sire, Rwaitin
the approach OF Hawakital to claim his fair Howe
. A star is seen in the crowd-and with -baayaf
aud elastic step he advanced to meet his tremblin
bride. A death-ke stiffness rested upon th
crowd. But whore was Yatoba? Secretly hc ha
prepared his warriors for the event, and lay cOl
ccalcd near by, ready TO spring like tiger upo
his unsuspccting victim. As lIawakitah roschc
u out her hand to receive from her father the han
OF his loved one, q savage yell rent the air, an
the wild war whoop broke upon the silence
Z. lawakitah at once OWNED the cause, and an q
p. fire of his spirit was at once aroused. With Il
- apidity Of thought he threw his arms arouu
Wynona and impressed upon her lips burnr
kiss and then consigned hcr 60 the caro- Of h'
q aged parent. At single houutl he placed himge
q in the front Of little band who had gl,hcr,
around, ready to die with their chief, aud odyauc,
t. with undaunted stop to The unequal combat. Y
toba and his bloody band, anxious for roycng
= rushed on, while their savage yclls rcsound'
through the forest.
Wynona seeing her lover thus exposed to corta
death, sprung from the arms Of her parent nj
'e throw herself upon his bosom, just as Iatoba VI
1T ready 20 deal upon him the fatal blow. A nome
" moro and they must have fallen lioless at hjs fec
y But the Great Spirit, not wishing to sec love
~ and innocent a creature thus perish caused d
is earth to divide at their feet, and caraed laol
% aud his bloody band back upon the receding cart
70 until mighty channel was formed through wh
~ flowed deep and muddy stream
ol Thus was saved the happy pair, and thus W
IS formed the Father Of Wators.!-Souttc,W Dem