The new era., 1860-06-21
Life in the Woods.
No. I6.

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We promised to tell you the dream
Of Ki-shig-o-qua. We find, however,
that, according to the custom of dreams
in general. it has faded in memory, to
a comparative indistinctness, and we
can give it but in brief
nis custom among Indian maidens
on arriving at womanhood, to separate
themselves from their relatives and
friends, and, in some secluded spot of
forest or grove, endure fast for suc-
cession Of days and nights: until. in
fact, be it longer or shorter, the dream
spirit vouchsafes her communion. and
unfolds to the subject of the lonely vigil
the destiny that fateful fortune has in
store for her.
Ke-shig-o-qua had tasted several
days-until, faint from hunger and hope
deferred, she began to despair of gain
ing the favor Of the dream-spirit.-
Dreading the discontinue of returning
to her friends with her object unaccom-
plished. and still resolved 10 invoke
again the unpropitious goddess, she
threw herself upon the ground, and after
mumbling her nominations, sank into
siumber. And this was her dream.
She was wandering alone upon a
lonely road. She was hungry and
thirsty, faint and weary. The hot sun
scorched her uncovered head, the hot
sand parchcd her naked feet. No tents
appeared by the wayside; no trace of
human habitation. She met no wan
dcrer, even as lonely as herself. No
prospect Of food soothed her longing
eyes; no rivulet Of sparkling water
gushed forth to quench her intolerable
thirst. At length, when her footsteps
were about to fail, and hope no longer
sustained her, distant object met her
view. BY slow and painful progress,
she reached what proved to be an erec-
ton of poles, upon which were suspend
cd vast number of skins of animals,
for the purpose Of seasoning as was tho
custom of her people.
Judging from this that some of her
tribe were near, she took fresh courage,
and after resting awhile beneath the
friendly shade formed by the skins,
pursued her toilsome journey. Again,
after weary pilgrimage of hours, was
her strength and her faith failing, when
she was gladdened by the sight of a tent
that appeared suddenly close by. En-
tering it with, at least, eager expectation
of food and water, nothing met her view
but the dripping scalps of many Sioux.
She was prevented only by heat and
exhaustion from fleeing with horror
and disgust After few hours rest,
she again set out upon the road The
sun had now long past the meridian, So
the heat was less oppressive, and the
unshaded pathway seemed not SO tire
some as before. Nor was it long until
she came upon an Indian lodge wherein
she found plenty of freshly slain deer
and birds, and great quantity of ripe,
yellow corn: and looking about still
more searchingly, she .espied kettle
full of the food already cooked. Of this
she ate until hel hunger was appeased.
Here she awoke; and instantly de-
termined to return to her friends that
those gifted with wisdom might inter-
pret her dream, and that thus might end
her period of fasting. What was her
surprise and sorrow when informed that
her dream admitted Of but partial inter-
pretation-and that she must go back
and again invoke the dream-spirit.-
Thoughtful, sad, and almost hopeless,
she returned to her solitude and when
sleep stole over her, again she wander
ed in the land Of dreams.
She stood by the shore Of a pleasant
lake. No breeze rippled its placid sur sur
face: the clear, blue sky was reflected
in lis limpid waters. and soft shadows o.
graceful trees made beau,ifulits margin,
She was wrapped in delight with the
loYsliness Of the scene. while birds o.
gay and glittering plumage, above 2 ane rs
around her, warbled melodies in her
ear. Presently appeared by her side
young Indian, tall. erect, and clad in
skins Of Wild beasts. He saluted hel
cordially, and pointing to a couple o
birch-bark canoes that were anchored
to'siender saplings. challenged her to /.
trial ofIspecd.1 He said: sI will ente]