North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-10-11
gflert gtcry.
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A LEGEND OF THE MANDANS.

Weeks had rolled by vet the famine press
ed with unahated vgor, and many warriors
staIwart arm bad brcomn paraIyzed by weak
ness, and many a flashing ,ye grown dim
from the constant cravings Of hunger. Fl
three months the inhabitants Of the Mandan
village had been placed on half allowance,
and even that httle vas gone, and the pros
pct OF a speedy death by starvation stared
the last remnant Of that fated tribe, fearfuy
N the gloomy appearance around alhvm.-
Few IN number, and at war with the p2wer-
fui Smux. tkey dared: not travel the sur
rounding unfry al any great distance for
ane; aud the herds of buffalo which usua
ly r"amed over The p ANS near the village
had by some unaccnuntable e reason, not re-
turned with the hunting seasou !; and all the
hoiIors of a cruel fate seemed a5ont TO fail
upon them rn'' The warriors Of the tribe were
seen gathering in little groups Of three OF
fur, around the place and Sa ko,' 'ah, the
"ldest an Of the tribe, and was chief Of the
warriors, was speaking to his Indian broth
ers. The main body of the men had collect
ed at the spot, aud the gray scalp lock of
the aged chief waved in the breeze as he ad
dressed them thus :...s4 81. ,.... n..t. .,...
M"Braves of the Mandans, the Great Spirit
is angry with his warriors for their coward.
ice. Their hearts have become like the
hearts OF sqnaws and they dare not meet the
NO PrIn .,Ft h., h,F
like the frighted fawn in IFS shelter Would
that Sa-ko-tah were brave again -
The old chief sat down, and fiery young
warrior sprung to his feet, while his ewes
flashed aDi his hand sought the handle of
his tomahawk, he replied
"The braves of the Sioux are but suuaws.
We will meet them in battle; the Mandan
is no woman"
At this moment horseman came dashing
up to the spot, and refining in his smoking
steed beside them, he pointed over the dis
tant hills, and shouted "Buffaloes" -
A dozen dark forms sprang lightly to their
feet, and glow of hope beamed on every
coun'enance. The long wiehed for food had
at length arrived, and instead Of blank star
vati"n, great feast could be made in graft
tude for the occasion. ''.+ ~ '...'." '.'.' s
The news spread like swild-fire over the
village, and while the warriors were prepar-
ing for the chase, the women brought forth
what food remained, and cooking It, each one
partouk, 70 the first time in many days, of
hearty meal aud then mounting, the hunt
er> of rbe buffalo departed for the herd.
Some few miles from the little viliage, a
large plain stretches out, dotted here and
thereby hills, which rise abruptly in 1 he
midst of tho level, as though they were
mounds raised by human hands, instead of
having been placed IN such an isolated posi-
tion by the hand Of nature. Passing over
the brow Of one Of these hills, as the Man
dams came out on the plain, appeared several
large buff.loes, and raising a cry Of JOY, the
hunters spurred rapidly upon the chase
The animals soon disappeared over the hin
and the eager warriors, thinking TO lead
them, toon a Short cut through narrow
GO. ge which ran between two knobs. and
came out on The pla,n beyond. As they en-
tered the place, one Of the men caught sight
OF large buffalo running along upon the bill
Z . b