, 1873-06-08

QGGl610u4. ECQ1e8 HpJAA ApA"aAN
and begged to take his place; women threw
their arms about his neck, and implored him to
dediat + and children ahrieked their appeals
to stay, and live with them,--for how could
they do without him 2 But Lin-cah-teno vas
inaaxible. With silent wave Of his hand he
bade them depart to their lodges, while he quiet
ly took his position near the river-edge, on
projecting rock, around which his warriors we're
Becreted, and calmly resigned himself to his tate,
- willing sacrifice On the altar Of his people,
The suspense was not long. As il scenting it's
prey. the Piaaa-bird .soon made It's appearance
high in the clouds above, soaring around ana
around, and gradually closing down 70 the sarth,
until it poised for moment, straight yet aifn,
and then, when satisfied, it came down with
fearful swoop and hiss upon the noble
Chiefta1n but, ere it struck its fatal talons,
twenty-five poisoned messengers OF, death Tere
shrek, chilling the blood OF the bravest OF the
brave, 1t fell harmless, quiver1ng mass at Lin
cah-tel1os fest.
wild was the delight and great the rejoicing
then Al shoated and sang ''sd Snd .3t5 daReeo
rows, and dreaded, no longer, until the great
valley rang aud echoed with their shouts, aud
those Of sympathizing friends on the shore be-
yond. Lin-cah-tel1o orly was c4!m; bis eyes,
filled with tears, told OF his heartfelt Joy.
All night their festivities continued; and the
next day they painted the picture of the mon
ster on the wall Of the bluffs, in beautiful
field and frame moulded by Nature, q short dis
tance abovo the spot where the distracted lover
made his fatal leap.
Many moons afterward Lin-cah-tello WAS gath
cred to his fA:hars. Wrapping the robes around
him he wore the day he succored his people, and
decorating him with his paints and feathers,
they placed him beneath the rock once chosen as
the shrine Of his sacrifice, now perennial mon
So died Lin-cah-telio, pleased with his kuowl-
edge Of the past aud present, and happy in bis
| ignorance OF the future Time rolled on,-
decade following swiftly after decade. Then,
deadlier and moro fearful yet to the red man OF
America. He met it, fought 1t valiant}y, but in
| vain. Before him, Kings, Emperors, and priests
| had opposed it with powerful armies and subtle
casuistries but stayed it not On it came!
Mountains, rivers, oceans, forests the bar
riers and batt1emente Of Nature could not stop
| It's steady progress, nor bind its rushing pin
ions: Still onward it pressed. swiftly, siiently,
| and incessantlyt With the resiBtless march OF
+" the scourge Of God on Rome from the North,
SO came this mighty March Of Mind from the
| East, and swept before it the doomed racos Of
the soil, as the dow is swept by the hot breath
Thus died lie ottow-wahs and tho illinois,
| and then only was the memory OF Lin-cah-te1
fo1gotten. - -..o-;n,;.
| and indistinct. as all genuine legends are. A
short distance above the old convict and mill
ta1y prison rock, looming high above the
waters edge, ia yet shown to the stranger as
"the lovers leap" Near this spot, lovers now
| frequently gather; and, as the grand old river
! runs and sings it's oeaseless song far beneath
! them, the dolefl story Of the Indian lovers is
forgotten in others too superna for such an alloy
Races change and generations pass sway, like
the current below yet the stream and their
story are eyer the same.
Many are nov living who remember traces OF
the painting Of the bird on the cliffs,
| which Time, the iconoc1ast, has now
wholly destroyed. Piles Of Indian bones, years
agone, were found in the cave which, together
with stream aud a street, q township: and q
! tavern. yet bears it's name On tho walls Of
some Of the older citizens, pictures Of it's death
can yet be seen and short account OF this
mystery has found it's way into Livingston 9
| ephemer1 history Of Illinois but what the real
nnture, object. OF origin Of the Piasa-bird was,
il it had any at ALL is covered in the dust Of OBJ
| lvion, and, like the Mystory OF Edwin brood,
| must remain forever untold.