Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1871-04-01

enter the dwelling unannounced.
Again / raped, and walk d into the
parior, hoping my frierd would soon
make her appe rance. / glanced
around at the fam liar objects with de-
light, and was beg nning to feel some
OF my old lightnesa Of heart, wien my
eye feI upon the uniortunf o stone
hatchet. Tshuddered, placed my hands
upon my temples to press Lack the
horrible sensations the Object called
iorth, and threw selrupon the sofa
70 awaitmy friend.
| knew not whether / fell into a
hunlber or trance; but a lethargy
seemed to steal over me, imprisoniI1p
every limb in mOtionIess bondage. The
walls Of the white painted room ex-
panded into q heightened vista border
ed on either side by prlmeval forest
trees Of gigantic height, their vast
trunks hiddeHfEonn view by thicket
q sangled vines and umbrageous
leEfub1 siaa
Bysome strange and unfelt trans
portat'yn / found myself in an open
space this dense wood and as / gaz-
ed IN onderment, a stalwart savage,
grim-y aged, and war painted, emerg-
ca nom 9ehind sheltering tree. His
brawuy 5reast was uncovered; but
tunic 1f gaudY colors was belted around
the waist. From his shoulders hung a
quiver Vt arrows, and upon his feet
were brght-trimmed mOccasins. In
the left hand he held a bow Of great
length, and in his belt was thrust the
tomahawk. With bound he alighted
near my feet, causing the week.-mrs.
echo to answer to the frightful war
whoop.
Daughter Of the pale face, he not
alarmed! mean thee no harm. Those
who give way to idle curiosity must
somet;.ncs submit to suffer terrors. I
have seen thy struggle to restrain thy
eagerness to penetrate the mystery Of
the broken hatchet. The Great Spirit
often rewards in this life those who
strive to suppress evil or idle desires
and have been sent from the happy
hunting grounds to safe thy curiosity.h
| had been SO terrified by the war
whoop and the savage's startling prox-
unity that my knees trembled, and 1
came near falling; but by powerful
effort, l calmed my fears and the
speech of the savage reassured me. /
took survey of my companion while
listening to his words, which were le-
livered with precision in deep, clear,
bell-like tone. Upon his head tall,
gaily -colored plumes waved in the soft
spring breeze. His form was athletic
and elegantly proportioned. About
him clustered unmistakable graces of
nobility and heloic traits.
While gazed in wrapt wonder and
deep interest, the lordIy savage again
spoke
"Know, then, that Iama nephew Of
Melora, the mighty and beautiful Ca
Clique and princess of Cofachiqui, and
the remote ancestor of thy friend who
Is of far more distinguished pedigree
than are the boasted descendants of
POcahOntas. My illustrious aunt and |
hover constantly in spirit around our
Ipale-faced kindred, shielding them from
harm and aiding them to perform great
deeds.
Among the followers of De Soto in
his march to our village, was proud
handsome cavalier, Juan Vasquez de
Gallegos, who became enamOred of nv
sister, the beautiful Mochifa. So blind.
ed was be by his attachment that he
forgot bis insatiate hunger after gold,
laid aside his sword and buckler, and
deserted his post as a warrior to become
the husband Of the red maiden Of the
forest.
"For q time the simple inhabitants
of Cofachiqui were elated with the con-
quest Mochifa Lad made. ansmoked
the pipe of peace, mingled in the dan
ces and joined in the chase; bxt the
bright noOn-day of happiness was soon
beclouded, and dense curtains Of doubt
hung about the minds of the Indians,
The treaeherous De Soto rewarded the
trusting hospitality of his red brothers
by taking their beautiful queen Melora
into captivity. Suspicion was aroused
against Juan, and the grim warriors
sought his life. But all their efforts
were eluded by the watchful care of
Mochif& AT one time, Juan was bound
md secured to a spit before burning
,oals, that he might be slowly roasted
live, while his tormentors mOcked his
Igony by cruel ard insulting words
Iuan's shFie s brought the poor wife to
he spot, an her Gntreaties procured ,
lis liberation. Mochifa redoubled her
igilance ai .er this warning. seldom
Juan to leave her presence, Ii
n time she became the mother of a !
aughter more beautiful than herself. !
When this child was few weeks old,
Iochifa sat ID her wigwam observing i
uan who was 'shioning some arrow i
eads out of the hornofa stag he h..d
ain the day before. atF 4
Her face was full Of contentment, a
nd her thout hts were far away, fan. :
wing the sk III Juan would show IN Il
snding his polished arrows through a
he hearts OF the feet deer. Stealthy
cps disturbed liel reflections, and ere I
le could articulate an entreaty, a par v
/ 0f savae IS fell upon Juan and his ii
Fad was I eft almost in twain, the V
one tomahtWk remaining so firmly n
xed III the vidtim's skull that the as n
ssin fled without detachingit. Mo- II
lifa sprung forward and clasped her Il
Ibe to her Bosom as her husband sank X
eeding at llel feet. The beTeaved wife N
lined her laughter Nithlee, which in q
q Indian tongue signifies night, in "
ken Of th darkness that fell upon se
u heart wi en 81 beheld her beloved d
Irtner mum cred N herpresence. III
Revenge i tsWeet incense to the nos Al
is Of tie ID man; and Mochih M
assured her wong, swearing By the Of
oOdy hatcnet sh. withdrew from Ju- hI
Is CORY head to preserve It as q relic Ia
Be handel down to her posterity, ne
l0 should atenge her husbands d
alh. ye
i.Mochifa died ola broken heart, aud g.
Ehlee became the wife Of Young "
ief Of her own tribe. Sons and daugks III
s were born unto them, and the cory tt
tehet wreaked vengednce upon tie rs.
1age murdefers of Juan Nasquez de ~
N