New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-12-08
t. sees God in clouds,
And hears Him in the wind,

aye, who
''--sees God in Clouds
And hears Him in the wind
was wont to dwell years upon years ago.
But the stiffness has been rulely broken the great
arms of the forest giants longer wave in time to
the music of the winds and the smoke of the wigwam
ascends no more in circles to the Clouds Full corn
fields rustic DER the grave of the redman, and but
for the mysterious voice of tradition few traces would
be left to tell even of his by-gone existence.
What whispers this voice of the past? Docs it tell
how there was once a mighty tribe whose hunting
grounds stretched away for miles around on every
side and whose name dreaded on the war path:
Does it tell how blight fell upon it. and how it slow
ly dwinded away amid poverty and sorrow-the wa
Does it tell how the hand Of its neghbor against
it on every side and of its sinking at last, until its
very name was but mockery and sneer: Tradl-
ton does all this. 1t bears down to us to this day
When nights grim shadows cast upon the summit
of the towerlike Eagles Gilt, and silence holds the
world within its sway, solitary white figure hovers
upon the dizzy edge of the trownng precpice, and
appears to gaze despairngly down into the depths
below its feet and wrngs its hands in mute agony,
as the doubtful light Of the reveals it to the
awe-struck gaze. Tradition has given the phantom
the name it has borne for long years back, of the
White Shade Of Eagles Cliff.
The day was drawing towards its close, and long
shadows cast by the sunlight the sky changed
gradually from its tranquil glow OF day and became
| flushed with the boOdred hue OF a summers sunset.
By the side of one of the beautiful streams that serve
| rious pictures among the wilds OF the West an In
dian girl sat with eager air and manner apparently
watching for the approach of some expected person
age. 1t would that the visit OF this individual
was not altogether unattended with danger from the
anxiety she displayed to keep in view clearing IN
the distant forest from whence thin vapor OF smoke
arose as from habitati0n. When not occupied with
this particular point Of view, she SaZed earnestly out
ON the river whose clear surface stretched ont for
considerable distance unimpeded by bend or projec-
tion save the rocky Eagles Cliff pitched high upon
| the rivers bank nearest to where she stood.
Why does Otonga so slowly paddle his canoe to-
wards the one who loves him and whose heart beats
| with main at his long absence? Has he ceased to
think OF Neckassa, who braves the hatred of her peo
pie and the curse of her sire i'll meeting with the
enemy of her tribe has he listened to the sweet
song of fairer maid than the daughter of Miantomo
Tears were in her eyes as she thus murmured tC
herself, and for the moment they blinded her gaze
so that she did not at first perceive that canoe was
shooting rapidly along towards the spot where she
stood. An exclamation of delight burst from her lips
as she caught sight of it cleaving the placid waters
and first looking eagerly round towards the clearing
to assure herself that no one was In sight, she bound
ing with lightning rapidity towards the waters edge
and was IL moment after, pressed close to the tall
form of the long expected Otonga.
First taking the precauton to hide his light bark
among the low bushes that skirted the waters edge
he led the maiden some distance among the thlcF
forest trees before word uttered on either side
Then having seated her gently upon natural coucl
of Welding moss lie cast himself at her feet upon the
! |
own, looked up lovingly into her eyes as though tt
read their mute language as they gazcd down upoi
. him with all Of confidence and happiness in thei
bright beams.
d Neok;ssa would ask of Otongas tardy footsep
across the path which leads to the river, and of TIL
slowness of his canoe i'll sweeping through its waters
The enemies Of his tribe lay in the path of til
Otonga and he was obliged to hide from their eyes
so that they might not, when he was alone, make
captive of him and torture him before the sight
her who loves him.
The young girl shuddercd and pressed closer t
him. but said nothing, while he continued, tenderty
n Otonga would brave ali dangers for the sake
seeing such moments as these and was not to
. turned from his purpose, even though he wake
through the midst OF his enemies, to keep his wol
with Ncokassa.
She looked admiringly in his handsome face, ar
felt, as she saw the flash of his eye, that his
did not belle him, and that the agile knew little
:, fear as the young chieftan by her side.
/. And Ncokassa would do much to prove he
k much she loves OtOnga. Does she not risk the ke
J. knife of her angry father, should he find that S
meets with Of her tribes most deadly enemies
"a What shall Neokassl do to prove how much she lov
J. 0tonga?"
r. The chieftan made no reply for some moments, al
or seemed to be deeply lost in thought. At lengt
sprnging to his feet, he pointed lmpeluous!y III I
On direction of the river, towards where his canoe Ii
hidden among the bushes:
g Otonga5 canoe is swift as the foot OF the brow
coated deer--his are strong and trcless. Otc
B gas wigwam is lonely without the presence of NJ
r. knssa to brighten it, Does she fear to trust hers
no. within it q
IA. A soft blush crimsoned her cheek, and stole ov
on her neck and BOSOM while her beautiful head sa
m for an instant upon her breast and her eyes droop
* beneath his imprisoned gaze but when she rails
?n them she shrank not, and her hand trembled not
les she placed in one Of his Then, pointing with
sc other arm towards the darkened sky she spoke wi
ner slow aud solemn utteranCe
the Great Mautou hears me speak! will
:. with Otonga, though he lead me even to the death
p he but share it with me. will live upon his smi
"' and listen to the coming of his tootstep. | am
t and he is mine forever.
The harmless summer lightning filled the sky 70
moment, and showed her figure i'll bright relief
she stood taking the oath that bound her to
through life, and as the flash cleaned through
thickness of the trees, it seemed as if the great
voked Spirit had descended in o cloud Of fire
looked upon their solemn nuptias.
He raised her silently and pressed her to his hea
then, feeling that there was no time to be lost Il
: hurried towards the river, knowing that as the ID
'"c' ness was falling search would be made for
It. absent Neokassa, and discovery would end il the