Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-20

THE LEGEND OF KINR0.
BY REV. G. W. BOWER.

One of the party narrated the following
story: There was at one time . great
tribe of Indians living along Moosehead
lake, ruled by chief named Maquee,
brave, determined warrior of great re.
renown, but in natural disposition, morose
and savage. In this tribe was . beautiful
girl named Maquaso, meaning robin, sym
6ol.cal of her happy. cheerful disposition.
Inc cher was married to this charming
maiden. They had beautiful little boy
called kineo. Maquaso had brave hus-
band, but he was very cruel and made her
lie most miserable, yet she uttered no
complaint. Her greatest hope vas that
her son might be good man. and be the
means OF affording her some happiness.5
BAT in this she was disappointed. He
resembled his father in disposition, and as
crosser and crosser.
The mothers life now become more pit
liable. suffering greatly from the harsh
treatment of both. Her torment afler .
while was so great that she could hardly
endure life. The tribe seeing this went
to kineo and rebuked him for his brutal
conduct towards his mother. He WAS too
unfeeling to be moved by this counsel and
did not obey.
He possessed an inherited malignant
disposition, and had no desire to do better
AS they could not prevail on him to
change his conduct more forcible meas.
ure was employed, and he was excluded
from their council fires. He left immedi-
ately and went to dwell alone on the cliff
of the rock now called Kine0. Although
Maquaso had been sadly treated by her
hard hearted son. yet she loved him 10
such a degree that after he had left the
tribe, il was impossible for her to remain
any longer, and in short time she went
away also. To show that she had gone
forever, she placed her clothes at the camp
fire in accordance with the custom OF her
nation. All the tribe dstrusted Kineo.
he continued as morose as ever, keeping
away from them. remaining all the time
on the cliff
There were a great many conjectures
about Maquaso, as she left so suddenly,
but the one more fully believed was that
kineo had become more savage than be-
fore, and pushed her off the highest and
steepest part Of the precipice. and that
she had drowned in the deep waters be-
meath. They were more confirmed in this
after while by some wonderful sights
which appeared around the place. 96J
Some of the people affirmed that they
saw ghosts along under the cliff, and
others saw phantom canoe appear near the
same spot and mysteriously gliding over
those dark, deep waters.
| Now they thought it certain that he had
killed his mother and her ghost appeared
to haunt him.
But how little the tribe really knew of
kineo's thoughts, for no person in all the
world uaS on any iouo IN ku0u ohOu< bar
as he. He took every possible means to
find her, iourneying and searching in all
directions. = s1fu8
As he stood looking from his height one
day towards Katahdin he saw meteors
flying about it. He took it to be signal
OF his mothers presence there, and imme-
| dately started for the mountain. s4f1
| He was a man of great courage, or he
would not have dared to ascend Katahdin,
for at that time it was ruled by a fierce,
wicked and powerful spirit called Pomola,
who would never allowed mortal foot
to step on his ground. But Kineo boldly
began his search then. Pomala was
amazed at his bravery and let him pass
unharmed, but he knew nothing Of her,
and kineo was obliged to turn away dis
appointed and return alone to his solitary
cliff. He reached his lodge just in time
to learn that large tribe from the south
was coming to make war against his na-
ton.
Kineo still had great patriotism and
Notwithstanding he had been excluded
from his tribe. he offered to join them in
fighting the approaching enemy.
This proposal they Indignantly spurned.
for they still thought he had killed his
mother. Kineo felt very badly about this
and left them to go back TO his retreat
All the warriors were then called to get
ready for battle, and set out ON the war
path. Advancing through the wilderness
they began to feel sorry that they had not
accepted Kineo's offer. but it was too late.
From distant height they got view of
the enemy, and the first look overwhelmed
them in dismay for they were greatly out
numbeoed and feared they might be COM
pletely overcome.
Now they were more than ever satisfied
that they had done wrong In not accepting
the offer OF kineo. But they kept on, and
presently heard war-whOop now they
must do their best, although the odds were
against them.
When they reached the ground what
was their surprise to find Kineo ON the
spot, that he had preceded them and sin.
gle handed had fought the mighty foe and
killed them all. The tribe now said they
must not hold out against him any longer,
so they tried TO make friends with him,
but kineo in reply disdained their offer
and left them. When they returned 10
their old camping ground. they saw Kineo
walking on his lofty cliff. This was his
home; he lived on game, fish and fruit.
and drank from geyser out Of birchen
cup. This spring can be found on the
mountain.
After while he saw faint CLEANS of a
fire on the side of Squaw mountain 10 the
south west. He looked at it long time
and thought it must mean something. 1t
so impressed him that he started at once
and went quickly to the place. Here he
found lodge at that very light aud IN
old white haired squaw. Although she
had lost the sunny glow of her youthful
looks, he knew her. 1t was his mother.
The long search for her at length was
successful. He had found her but she did
not know him. He told her who he was,
adt Sin ~ hor in,