Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-27
THE LOVERS LEAP.
4 GEORGIA LEGEND.


The following is one Of. the legends
connected with beautiful and pictu-
rescue spot on the river about two miles
from Columbus, Georgia.
In the early part Of the present cen
tury this region was inhabited by two
tribes ofIndians of the Cherokee Nation
the Cussetas and Cowetas. A mortal
hatred, which arose, most probably, from
some trivial cause, had sprung up be-
tween them They were bitter rivals,
equal in numbers and pride of name.
The proud chief Of the Cussetas was now
become an old man, and much was he
venerated by all who rallied at his bat
tle-cry. The toldest heart in all his
tribe quailed before his angry eye, and
the proudest did him reverence. The
old man had outlived his own sons.
One by one had the Great Spirit called
them from their hunting grounds, and in
the flush of their manhood they had gone
TO the spirit land. Yet he was not alone.
The Youngest of his children, the dark
eyed Molina, was still sheltered in his
bosom, and all his love for the beautiful
in life was bestowed upon her = ah,
rightly too, for the young maiden rival
ed in grace the bounding fawn, and the
young warriors said of her that the smile
of the great spirit was not so beautiful
While yet child, she was betrothed to
the Young Eagle of the Cowetass the
proud scion of their warrior chief But
stern hatred had stihed kindlier feelings
in the hearts of all save those two young
creatures, and the pledge word was not
broken when the smoke of the calumet
was extinguished Mohina no longer
dared to meet the young chief openly,
and death faced them when they sat in
lone wild trysting place, meath the star
ry blazonry of midnight's dark robe.
Still they were undaunted, for pure love
dwelt in their hearts, and base fear
crouched low before it and went far from
them to hide in grosser souls. Think not
the boy god changes his arrows when he
seeks the heart of the red man. Nay,
rather with truer aim and finer pomt
does the winged dart speed from his
bow, and deeply the subtle poison sinks
in the young heart, while the dark cheek
glows with loves proper hue. The deer
bounded gladly by when the lovers met,
and felt he was free, while the dark-eyed
maiden leaned upon the bosom OF the
Young Eagle. Their youthful hearts
hoped in the future, though all in vain,
for time served to render more fierce
that hostile rivalry, more rank that dead
ly hatred which existed between the two
tribes. Skirmishes we're frequent amid
their hunters, and open bostilities seemed
inevitable.
And now it was told by some who had
peered through the tangled underwoods,
and matted foliage, Of those dim woods,
that the Coweta had pressed the maiden
10 his heart in those lone places, and
that strange words and passionate were
even now breathed by him to her ear.
Then the hunters Of the Cussetas sprang
from their couches and made earnest
haste TO the dark glen. With savage
veil and impetuous haste they bounded
before the lovers They fed, and love and
terror added wingsto their flight FOR
a while they distanced their pursuers.
But the strength of Mohina failed her IN
a perilous moment, and had not the
Youag Eagle snatched her to his fast
beating heart, the raging enemy had
made sure of their fate. He rushed on
ward up the narrow defle before him
1t led, he forgot whittier In few mo
ments be stood on the verge Of this fear
ful hight. Wildly the maiden clnng to
him, and even then, in that strange mo
ment Of life, his heart throbbed proudly
beneath his burden. The bold future
alone was before him there was DO re-
turn. Already the breath Of one Of the
pursuers, hated rival, came quick upon
his cheek and the bright tomahavk shone
before him. One moment be gazed on
him, and triumph flashed in the eye Of