Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-24

CHAPTER ".
"Al furnished all in
All p,um,d like'ostriches that wing the wind
Rested like eagles having lately bathed;
Gttering in golden coats, like images;
As full of spirit as the month Of May,
And gorgeous as the sun of midsummer
wanton as youthful goats wild as young bulls."~
Shakespeare.
The Cayugas occupied the territory beyond
the lakes and hunting grounds, three suns
journey toward the setting sun. They were at
peace with the Onedas and the Mohawks, but
their young Chief Wahontes-a young warrior
of fine build, rather above the medium height,
but not tall, thick set, and straight, who had
been given the title of the Deer for his aeetness
in the chase-Wahontes distrusted theapproach
of Mowegan, and although he accepted the
charge of Mameah, and promised the Mohawk
to secrete her from the Oneidas, he also deter
mined never to give her up to the Mohawks
unless it should be her free will to again join
that tribe.
"Does the fair Dove of the Oneidas choose
the prison of the Cayugas?" said Wahontes,
as the parlance ceased between him and Now
egan.
"She does, if it can be no better" replied
Mameah
And thus assured, Mowegan-although not u
smile had rested upon her features since her cap
tvity, and naught but frowns had met his fire.
quent gaze-returned to the stratagems of his
warfare, silently exulting over his success, and
the probability of soon returning to bear her
to his wigwam.
Mameah chooses the prison of the Cayugas
but for the protection from the Wolf of the
Mohawks, y said she as the Mohawk disappeared
in the forest.
sis Mameah not willing captive in our ma
tion ?" asked Wahontes, examining the beau
tful costume in which she was arrayed, and ad-
miring her stately grace, " is she not the bride
of Mowegan?'
Mameah is the chosen Dove of the young
Chief of the Oneidas," said she archly. "She
has been borne away from his village by the
Wolf of the Mohawks; and she would return
to the Oneidas''
EShe will abide in the lodge of Laisowee,
the Swan of the Cayugas, until the young Chief
Nagowa shall claim her as his Dove?" asked
Wahontes
"The Cayuga warriors are strong and brave,
and their numbers are as the leaves on the oak,
and will not their Chief 60 tell the Oneidas OF
the prison of Mameah, and assist them against
the Mohawks ?"
With an air of affected disdain, the Chief
turned to Laisowee and directed her to take care
of the Oneida Dove.
A council was held at which Wahontes made
known the presence of a captive in their village,
and that she was taken from the Oneidas by
the Mohawks and against her wishes.
"Mowegan has trespassed willfully upon our
fishing and hunting grounds said an aged
warrior, bearing the honor of many scalps, " and
why should the Cayugas aid him In his war;
Give up the prisoner to the Oneidas, and if
Mowegan whines, shoot him like dog ="
The Onedas are a peaceful people," said
Wahontes, " they smoke the pipe of peace with
the Cayugas-the Cayugas will never fight the
Oneidas."
At length it was agreed that the present was
a most favorable opportunity to be revenged for
the wrongs done by the Mohawks, and the
bloody war club was brought forth, and war.
ror entrusted to bear it to Mowegan, and to say
to him:
'The Cayugas hate you; the Mohawks are
old women, and their warriors are dogs"
The pipe of peace was delegated to the vii.
lage of the Oneidas, with instructions to tell
Nagowa that {" the Dove is a'captivc in the vii.
lage of the Cayugas, and when Nagowa shall
bring daughter of the Mohawks to the Cay.
uga village, Mameah shall be given up. The
Cayugas will meet the Oneidas on the shore o
the Lake, and make war unon the dogs of tho
Mohawks.'' -
When the messenger returned from the vii
lage of the Oneidas, he found the Cayugas in
the midst of their war dance, and the reply was
received with renewed demonstrations.
Nagowa sends the wampum belt to the
SiOno NuiCl w duoutCc, uuu Will LWO bunb SDdl
go down, his canoes will wait for the Cayugo
warriors
The aid and alliance of the Cayugas came all
unexpected to the strong heart of Nagowa, and
he ordered great feast to be prepared to await
their coming.
&C The Great Spirit has again smiled upon
Nagowa bring the venison and the fat sturgeon
the corn and the rice, and the women of thu
Oneidas prepare the feast for our guests"
The lodges were newly decorated, the war
riors gaudily painted, bows and quvers, knives
and war clubs were prepared, and the canoe,
filled with provisions for their journey to ant
from the Cayugas. They found them to tn,
number of many hundreds, eager and waiting
the guide of the Oneida delegation.
When they arrived, Wahontes sat at th'
head of the company and the warriors arranged
beneath the shade of the giant oaks.
As soon as the feast was ended, q council wai
held to determine the arrangements and more
fully understand the terms of alliance.
"Tne Oneida presents the peace pipe to hii
brothers over the lakes the Oneida makes theil
war his war, and the council fires of the No
awks shall go out before the arrows of the two
ations.