The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-08
battle, when death should deprive the
people of their much-loyed Chieftain.

ity and cunning-qualities highly priced
by his tribe and his Chieftain. Already
had the name of the youthful warrior
become terror to their enemies. He
was also endowed with considerable
share of Indian beauty; his form was
tall and we'll proportioned, his features
regular and handsome, but marred by a
dark and malignant scowl, which the
gentle grace and beauty of Cohuttah
alone could charm away.
With dutiful and unquestioning obedi-
ence, Cohuttah acceeded to her fathers
desire that she should become the prom
ised bride of Ahmeek. 1t seemed but
right to her in her girlish revelries that
Connisauga's child should be the bride
of Connisauga's heir.
The betrothal took place in the merry
husking season, amid gay festivities, ac-
companied by barbaric pomp and splen-
dor; and for one day at least the forest
Princess enjoyed her gay espousals-even
as some modern May Queen delights in
her shortlived and mimic royalty, did
the little Cohuttah with simple grace,
and girlish glee, receive the loving
homage of the Indian maidens, and the
admiring loyalty of the young braves Of
her people; for sweet, indeed, to girlish
hearts is the conscious power of girl
hoods grace and beauty!
One bright summer day, three years af-
ter the betrothal of the Princess Cohuttah,
from one of the loftiest SUBMITS of Co.
huttah's mountains, as suddenly as if
planted by spirit hands, foated the proud
flag of imperious Spain, which, tapped
by the mountain breeze, looked like the
bright wings of some huge tropical bird.
Beneath its gorgeous folds of crimson
and gold, dwelt a small band of strange
looking warriors, with pale faces, glitter
ing black eyes, and long silky boards.
These warriors were beheld by the ma
tives with superstitious awe and admiring
wonder. The flag with its brilliant sun
set hues they perplexedly surmised had
been taken from the couch of the life
giving gheezis (sun) and bestowed by
the Great Spirit upon these highly ia
vored warriors to watt from them the
dismal influences of the dreaded ahko-
SEWN (fever) the handmade of the
gloomy and unconquered pau'guk
(death.) A few aged squaws shook
their heads grayely, and in low, mystic
rious tones, whispered the almost for
gotten story which had been told around
the Cherokee camp fires of similarly
pale faced race, under the false-hearted
de Ayllon, whose cruel treachery in years
long passed had wrought such bitter woe
to the brave and generous warriors, who
lived where the big sea washes Chicora's
land of storied wealth and beauty. But
the noble Connisauga, in whose brave
heart no room was found for fear or sus-
picion, leading in the councils of his
people, determined to accept the peace
full overtures of the Spanish leader Fer
dinand De Soto-that De Soto whose ad-
ventures are as mythical and wonderful
as those of Prince Arthur and the
Knights of the Round Table.
De Soto had smoked the peace pipe
with Connisauga and his braves, and
had cemented their friendship by many
costly gifts, such as poinards, beads, and
fringes, scarfs, and shawls of richest silks
and cashmeres from luxurious Spain.
The Spanish knights, too, were pleased
with the gentle courtesy and noble gen.
erosity of Connisauga and his people,
and lurcd by the hope of finding gold
and silver, with which, from the accounts
of the Indians, they imagined the noun
tains to abound, had strengthened their
position by a wall of rock, 1.-THE ruins of
which are yet to be seen on Fort Mt,
and there, in unrestrained delight, they
enjoyed the wild scenery, the healthful
climate and the hunters fascinating
sports by wood and stream. But when
December's SHOWS rested upon the noun
tains, the daring De Soto, wearied of his
bleak but impregnable fortress, and de-
scending from his lofty eyerie, and TAX
ing position in Pleasant Valley, he threw
up breastworks, and there, in close con-
tiguity with his Indian allies, spent the
long, hard winter.
Cohuttah had never seen the pale faced
braves, whose long, black boards had
been the talk and envy of the Indian
warriors over their winter camp fires.
She knew they were her fathers friends,
but she also knew that Ahmeek hated
them, and had spoken angrily of the
policy Of Connisauga and his wise men,
in conciliating the good will of the
strangers. In the early spring, Ahmeek
and several of the young warriors had
gone on big hunt to the mountains
which lie towards the setting sun, be-
yond the great river Mississippi. They
were to be absent long time, and All
meek had promised his betrothed to
bring back with him skins of wondrous
beauty and softness to deck their bridal
wigwam.
Cohuttah was then fifteen, and Ahmeek