The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-01-31

iather was Seminole chief, OF the
third rate, and was considered by all the
most powerful maa in tho nation. Those
chiefs commanded small tribes Of the
same nation, and all met when tho au'
tumn leaves fell upon the great battle
ground to try their strength before the
great father Oceola. My father wen,
aud returned before one moon had filed
4. hIofn and wansd again, beaten. dis.
gracsd, heart brokea man. Esteranto, a
neighborng chief had exceled him in all
things. One more trial was left and then
the red mau's knife would settle the
matter.
"Tbe Indians had learned to drink a
decoc,ioo Of shumac called cuisine, which
vas such a powerful opiate that when a
man fell from drinking, he rarely arose.
10 this trial my father challenged bi. al.
'ersary, Es.eranto. The latter accepted
the challenge. and cams accompanied by
his braves, who caroused and made mer
~, while their chief was drinking. In
tive days my father fell asleep aud never
awoke. Ny mothers rage can we'll re
member, bu, csn not pait. She vowed
revenge. She could have used tie knife,
for she was not afraid, but she intended
= deeper vengeance. She looked to rne
As consumaiing that wish Of her heart.
She gave me cuisine until I coula drink
fabulous quaRAues. When | WAS egh.
teen ysars old my mother thought could
successfully compete with the old man,
and she forced ne to challenge him by
telling me OF nv fathers wrongs.
"lie accep:e5 the challenge, and came
accompanied ouly by his lovely grand
daughter, the beautiful WIiiawishta."-.
Here he groaned aud stopped as il TO
collect bis though,s. Being urged to
Pressed, be continued
As soon A. saw her I WAS transport
ed to the seventh heaven. But few can
appreciate my feelings. While her grand.
father was resting from bis journey. | met
her and told my love. She listened. but
sns~ered not. saw the chief and pro
posed healing the teud by marrying the
las. scion Of bis race. She added her
tears TO my entreaties, and he consented.
l knew my mother we'll enough to know
she would work the old man some injury
and sugg ested tba. We should drink, and
here the old man should fsign drinking
which he 6ualiy consented to.
We settled the terms upon which We
were to drink. and went into lodge, pls,
cling = guard around that none nigh. co.
ter to disturb us.
AFTER two days hard drinking the old
man isIl over drunk, calling for cuisine
by the bucketfull.
II arose and gave the guard some or.
ders concerning the old chief, aud going
to my mother. told her he was drunk
She looked at ne, her eyes fairly blazing.
then breaking forth in n mocking laugh,
said: Is the Seminole squsw to be
thus cheated Of her revengei know
how he become so drunk. Il is that ~tits
hearted. baby faced Willis ~isb,A. I have
attended to her two days ago. had
her placed 10 an open boat, with her band
tied and set adriit 10 the river" Here
he groaned again.
"My heart sunk within me. knew
that two suns travel from our lojges was
the fearful eddy. through which no In
disn's canoe bad ever passed, aud hs lived
to tell the tale. esngh. her by the shoul.
der and said. "Woman, you are no
longer my mother. II l fail to save her
| will deal With you ~ would any Other
hsar.ie" being. prsst,ins Jour sex"
Calling some Of my trustJ followers. I
told them to guard her we'll. My boa,
lay mosred ready for use, with the nscss
sary provisions in Il. An Indian never
neglects. Two days travel below me was
the fatal eddy, where the alligaton hsd
become So bold and fierce that tbsy si.
wsys destroyed the unfortunate man Who
let bis canoe drih into it, fatal circle. I
piled my oars - never man worked be
fare tha hor,ov. az ,h a, H. 7 - III