Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-05

| ouCu 1S u'l S4uIp l. u III S'''h br'tS iAlS
sisters had taught her to read, aud the
good man who had formerly visited her
tribe with tidings OF Christ's love TO the
simple sayages, had impressed the girl
alike with her isolated condition and
marked distinctions from her sisters
whose faces were fairer yet not more
beautiful. The dying words of her father
to her, had been that she should love the
pale faces US brothers and seek TO learn
OF the Son of Manitou, who bad come to
save them, and whose faith Sobaussit
had embraced, So she hod endeavored
to learn their customs, and improved
rapidly SO long as the missionary visited
theIwigwams of her people; but now he
had been banished by them. and forbid.
den to return.
1t was on golden October day of his
unpromising autumn that she wandered
with Egbert and his sisters through the
forest toward the falls, in quest of wild
grapes. At last they stood upon the
shelving ledge oil the "west pitch" and
contemplated with awe the grand torrent
rushing over its brink and ioaming an.
grily in the wild abyss beneath. His
sisters, more timid than the young man
and this native child of the forest re-
mained some distance behind them, and
wondered at the bravery OF the dusky
maiden who seemed not in the least
disturbed by her dangerous position.
"Metea, said Egbert. this is wild
fall. A boat once down within the cur
rent could scarcely live moment, and
yet your brothers Iish 10 close proximity
to the swift waters
"Tney fear il not" she answered. "a
| single stroke OF the paddle sends their
! light canoes TO either bank. Yet, there
is tale told by our old medicine man OF
a brave who was once swept over the
verge of the cataract, and was never
again seen. His birchen boat was tossed
ashore leagues below, but his body was
never found My brothers say Majo
Land5 Gan evil spiriD dweIls in the
cayerns beneath the falls. aud takes TO
himself those who are drowned there,
without depriving them of life, and they
become pow vows (spiriIs) like himself
lor all time"
"a strange fancy" said the young
man, land poeuc4l withal Do you
think it is true, Mctea ?'
Il did Once-belore | knew your peo-
pie replied the girl.
You have improved greatly in the
last ten years" added he with touch Of
admiration, in the glance bestowed upon
her
Yes but Metea can never be q pale
face. The missionary says, we are all
brothers aud sisters. can hardly come
10 believe that we shall ever be like the
pale faces. Our race will fade away like
the autumn leaves in the breath Of the
North wind. and the whites will
inhori. our bunting grounds Perhaps
it is better So"
A cloud settled on the young mans
face.
circumstances do not seem TO prove
your theory, Metea." he said alter a
moments thought. The colonies East
ward towards the Penob cot have been
blotted on, by the red men, and even we
are thought to be in great danger"
True" replied the girl. There is to
be a great council with the Canabas this
moon. shall warn you if there is dan
ger. They will not dare attack the West
ern settlements, for punishment IS certain
from your people at Falmouth"
"Let US hope they may not merit
punishment" replied Egbert."
They are maddened by fire water ,and
the plundering Of their maize patches by
Herman Artley. and men of his class"
answered the girl They trust me
however, although l come to the settle
ment. and shall be advised of the result
of their council. You will not see me
till after that, and hope Metea may
bring tidings of peace rather than i'll
will"
They cha.ied on for a long time in this
vein. and finally having filed their
Indian wrought baskets with Wild grapes
returned home ere nightfall. A little
later Metea bade them good bye. and
unmooring her light birchen skitf, was
soon far on her way towards the wig
vans of her tribe below.
Egbert related TO his father what she
had informed him 10 regard 10 the
approaching council OF tribes. and pre-
cautionary measures were taken
guard against surprise; Tor, they
argued. Metea mi ght be prevented from
returning as she had promised.
Thus two weeks passed. aud not q
single Indian had been seen In thai
vicinity. Some were lulled into Il tancied
security by this tact, but those better
acquainted with their why habits were
even more on the alert. and only trusted
themselves from the block house IN the
day.time To harvest what renamed OI
the scanty crops. Sentinels we're posted
one hundred yards from the palisade
towards the rivers mouth. and changed