Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-07-30
= CbriIIin9 9kctcl).
LEGEND OF STARVED ROCK.
By MISS MARY W. JANVRIN.

In the "far West" where broad rolling
prairies stretch away for miles in billowy
undulatons--w where bold, mountainous
cliffs rise abruptly to the azure sky, crown
ed with dark frs and cedars, not lar from
the head waters of navigation on the lIli-
nos River, and towering up from the brink
OF the stream, rises .Slarved Rock"
It's walls are Of dark grey stones, halt
vried with clambering wild vines and
trailing mosses,-as some old delapidatrd
castle, relic Of teutal times, stands buried
in the drapery which long ages have woven
around it, aud broken parapets OF stlnted
cedar and fir frown threateningly at the
daring adventurer who attempt. TO scale lis
PERCEPTIONS sleeps. a narrow, almost per-
pendicular path, on the opposite side OF the
river, is revealed, as you make circuit of
the base Of the cliff; and here, be who
reaches the highest elevation Of the
Crock" can ascend.
There is a fugitive tale, concentrating
the events which gave this wild cliff Sc
strange a name, coming down TO US from
those times when the red man was sole lord
of rock, and river, and rolling Prairie-a
little record of the Indian race, which we
would now weave anew, and again relate
"The Legend of Starved Rock"
Long years agone, the brave and noble
Indian chief, Oronee, leader OF powerful
tribe inhabitng the surrounding region
saw and loved the gentle maiden, Ulah
daughter of his rival chieltain.
Oronee was young and brave at hi
belt hung the scalps of hundred OF hi
foes, whom he had slam in the battle-lray
his arm was strong, and his eye like tn
mountain eagles, and no warrior in tn
chase could bring down the fleet deer, o
the fierce panther so surely as he.
Utah was young and fair, with eyes lk
the evening star, and dusky locks like th
gathering shades of night. She loved tn
brave Oronee and when he told her tina
his wigwam was spread with the soite'
iurs, and for ter he would chase the dee
and bring down the eagle in his flight, an
asked her to share his lodge-then sh
turned from her stern father, and WEI
with the young chiettain.
Ne-pow-va missed his daughter from h
wigwam. When he came back at nigt
from the tolls OF the chase, she sprang M
forth 10 meet him when he came from Ii
battlefield or the ambush, exulting in VII
tory, she came not forth to sing with h
braves the war-songs of her race. 1T
daughter Of chietain was in the wigwa
+ o. his deadly foe. He could not brook Il
insult and gathering his bold, fleet wa
riors about him, told them, beside the cou
, Gil fire, the wrong be had suffered, al
babe them follow him.
C Day after day, night after night, sa
$ them on the trail of the fleeing enem
guided ever by the heavens above and Il
: forest wiIes beneath.
+ w, ,stward, the stars Of night guided !h,
/, footsteps; and westward, through the ia
glrd wild wood, the sunbeams reveal
+ hr ken shrubs and ,rauplrd mosses, ga
. token that they were on the trail.
On the fourth day, the eagle gaze Of I
: fugi;ives saw the waving plumes of tn
: pursuers in the distance. b tore them n
bold and high, the huge rock, on the brl
D of the Illnois-behind thrm, came the {
ragged father, with the fierce warriors OF
tribe. Upon the wind lnated their W
- cries Of vengeance, and dancing, ever NJ
T. er and nearer, foated those eagle plume
,' The pursued chief, with his dusky III
=, den, and a small band OF faithful followt
.. lied to the rocky iortreSs-to the tower
strength which rose precipitouSly y in lh
path.
On, on, came the pursuers, with "
shouts and unearihly yei!s-on, on, q
nearer yet, until they had reached the b
of the cliff, and then, singing loud "
NJ, no song, they rushed swiftly up the narr'
w. steep path.
lh But the young chiefain's arm was sire
By and his arrows swift and sharp, and
braves resolved 10 fight to the death so
after another, as their enemies had air
gaiued the summit, they were pierced
ity the unerring shafts of the archers ab
and Tell hack lifeless, amid their compan
below. And then filling in this atte'
we. with half their band lying blfedlng an
them, the survivors closed in dark, Sci
ranks around the base, and with ST
ans. silence and invincible determination, a'
ed the lingering death of their victim