The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-08-26
For the DAILY PIONEER.
The Chippewa Bride; Story OF Minnc-
sofa.
BY A yOYAGEUR .


between the Sioux and Chippewas, a beautiful
Chippewa maiden was taken prisoner by a
Sioux warrior, has caused me to draw from my
portfolio the following story, by an old royo-
gcur who roamed the wilds of Minnesota long
before its virgin soil was touched by the pillow.
A few miles to the south of what is now
known as Mankato city, there is beautiful
vale, located in the angular piece of land form
ed by the confluence of the Watonnau and
LIE Scur rivers. Its romantic position and
beautiful scenery impart to it an indescrbab.e
loneliness, and attract the admiration of all
tourists who have had the fortune to meet with
it in their wanderings. 1t ncstlcs amid lofty
hills covered with oaks, the " mOnarchs of the
forest" which completely shade it from the
melting rays of the sun. In its centre o trans
parent lake mirrors with the truthfulness of
nature the objects upon its banks. a small
stream-the outlet Of the lake-gently mean
ders through lovely groves, until it reaches and
is lost in the turbulent waters of the LIE Seur.
Streams of pure fresh water gush from the
hill sides, affording comfort to the dust COW
cred and wearied traveller.
In fact, its scenery cannot be surpassed in
lovcliness, and could the Irish bard have be-
held it, he would have found that his sweet
vale of Ovoca" was surpassed.
AT the time that the circumstances which
this is intended to narrate occurred, this vale
was unknown to the Indians, so far as its
beauty of scenery was concerned. True, its
location was known, but the traditions of their
tribe told of dark scenes which had been
enacted within it.
The old nlaidens, (for Indians as well as
others have their story tellcrs, their legends,
their ghosts and fairies would tell at evening,
when the shades of night were falling upon
the EARTH dark stories concerning the transac-
lions which had occurred there. No Indian
was known to have returned who once entered
it. The spirits of warriors, clothed in bodies
of mangcd flesh, and covered with wounds,
were seen 10y those who, belatcd in the chase,
happened to pass its boundarc, near twilight,
and many all old hunter related his story of
the demoniac war cry which was uttered there
in, and which they believed to be the whoops
of the spirits Of those who had in opposition
to the will of the Great Spirit entered into
this Ito them) mysterious vale.
The "W AR EAGLE" was youthful and prom
inent warrior in the Sisston band, which had
its encampmcnt near the place above descrb-
ed. He had not only distinguished himself on
the battle field, but at the council fires his
opinion carried with it the greatest wei ght,--
His lodge was adorned with the scalp of many
an unfortune enemy, who had dared meet him
on the battle field, and his praises as u warri-
or, and sage in council, were chanted con-
tinually in his band.
AS may be supposed, he was the object of
universal admiration, and many were the dark
brown maidens of the forest. who sighed in
secret for the youthful brave-many an anN-
ious mother, who was DESTROYS of obtaining
such an important acquisition to their families.
But sighs and the stratagems of mothers were
alike lost upon him. OF melancholy turn,
he participated not in the amusements of the
Indians, and when not engaged in the chase,
or on the battle field, he would wander alone
in the forests, engaged in meditation.
Upon one occasion, having pursued deer
with more ardor than was usual with him, he
| found himself within the limits of the mystic
rious valley and Notwithstanding the stoicism
of the red man, and their constant view of
beautiful scenery yet such was the effect upon
him that he involuntarily uttered an cxclama-
ton of surprise and admiration. Here, at
last, exclaimed he, can find a refuge from the
attempts of those who would force upon me
one | cannot lOve-here at last, have | found
place where | can muse undisturbed, without
fear of interruption. Keeping his secret unto
himself. for fear that those who envied him
might charge him with being connected with
the evil spirits, who, they believed, Inhabited
the vale. he daily visited it in secret and by
the side of the CLASSY lake, would dream away
the time which hung so heavily upon him.
AT this time information was received that
a hunting party of the Chippewas, their dead
ly enemies, were encamped near the Blue Earth
river. A council was Immediately held, and
of course it was Immediately determined that