The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1878-05-11
.1Ns vlNEl, ,lHRU1VA RI ,fE4AAv AV4ys.

inflicted upon every palefacc who was
so unfortunate as to fall into their
bands.
It wns tho custom among the Fir-
ginia Indians, in those days, to inter
their dead in large mounds. resembling
10 tho interior tho pyramids of Egypt
aud hence they wcrO called, by other
tribes, tho Mound Builders. " These
cemeteries wcro generally natural
formations; but where no suitable place
Of this character could bo discovered !,
mounds were made-ear,h in immense
quantities carried to the spot, until a
beautiful mound was formed. Inside,
tho mound was network Of small
chambers resembling a family vault
and in these placcs-with imposing
-ceremoaios-weye deposited the re-
mains of tho dead.
From the nature Of the religion Of
these tribes, and tho vcncration they
entertained for the spot containing the
dust Of their fathers, they werc not
migratory. Trua, they would send of
large parties on tho chase and the war
path but when oncc mound was
used, q yilliasc was established ; aud
it was never abandoned unless superior
forces drove them from tho ground
made sacred as tho resting place Of
their sires.
On sunny day in the year mention
cd, Tcocallis, the chief Of his tribe,
sauntcred along through tho region
since known as Wcstfeld (thc first
coun,y-seat Of Lewis county, down to
the banks Of tho stream the whites have
since irreverontly called the " West
Fork, but known by the indians rs
Muddy Greek. Almost giant in
stature, and possessing dignity and
beauty of appearance which denotes
the superior mind, it was no wOadcr
that hc should win the hearts Of oil
with whom he came in contact Prior
to his fathers death, Teocallis had aC-
companicd delegation Of his own
tribe to the village of another. Tho
two tribes had been at war; for years
the bloody fcul had been bitterly sus.
tanned but the inroads Of the whites
left no room for private disscntions.
The heads Of the tribes met in solemn
conclavo; speeches were made by the
moro experienced warriors, aud it was
determined to smoke the Pipe of psacc.
and that they should all cuitc to pre-
vent the iuvasiOns Of the common en-
cmy. During this visit, TcOcalis mot the
lovely Nenclzin, tho queen Of
Indian grace. That they werc destln.
cd for each other was apparent; for
tue dart Of love penetrated 10th their
hearts simultaneously. aud they did not
hesitate to ayow to each other, at once.
the love with which they were inspired
Cholula, tho father Of NcnOtzin, behcld
this manifestation with surprise and
Indignation for Notwithstanding he
admired the bold and manly grace Of
TcocalIis, he did not forget that his
only son had been slain BY tho young
lover; and be was indignant that bis
daughter should even forgive. much less
take 10 her bosom, her brothers execu.
toner. Gonvulscd with ragc,h ordered
Tcocallis to leave the village, and i'm
prisOned Ncue'ziu in his wigwam. But
in city or in forest, " loyc laughs at
bolts or bars, and tho lovers soon
found opportunities to meet, uususpec.
ted by Cholula. And on the day on
which our story opens, Tcocallis wns
on bis way to the trysting place that
had been agreed upon. Scarce had hc
thrown himself upon the bank, when
the light dip Of u paddle aroused him,
and he bchcld canoe darting across
tho river. 1t was managed by Nenet.
z;n; and hardly waiting to reach dry
ground, she rushed into the arms Of
her lover. All who have felt the pure
and cuno5ling effects Of sincere and
holy affection. can imagine what fol-
lowed. IIuppy-tOO hnppy-in each
others lcvc, they forgot tho caution
that was part Of their wild nature,
clsu they would have seen the Aashings
of the dark eyes Of ChOIula, who, like
scrpent, crawled noislessly 10 the side
Of the lovers. With n fearful imrrc-
cation, hu struck Ncnctziu to The
grourd, aud turning to Tcocallis, he
dared him to the issue Of siuglC combat.