Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-12-11
HE KEPT HIS VOW.
AN INDIAN pYrHlAs SEEKS HIS DEATH.

permanent residence in Onondaga
county, and passed most Of his time
among the red men of his day. Force
of circumstances brought him to On
0ndaga, and soon after he had located
there a young brave of the Cayuga
nation one morning presented him
self before the chiefs of the Ononda-
gas and Mr.. Webster, while sitting at
the door of the council house. The
young man said:
81 have come to dwell among you
and your people, if YOU will permit.
] have LETT forever the home of my
father and the hearth Of my mother.
/ seek a home among you my name
is Mantinoah deny me not
"Mantinoah, yeu are welcome here, !"
said the aged chief Ka- whick-do-ta;
"sit down among us. Be our son, we
will be to you father; you can hunt
and fish with our young men, and
tread the war path with the braves
of our nation; you shall be honored
as you deserve
Nearly two years passed and Man
tinoah was apparently contented and
happy. He was the first in chase,
most active in the dance, and the
loudest in the song. His ever-pleas-
ant and even manner won for him
the friendship of Webster, and there
fore, it was that where one was there
the other was also. Webster was
surprised one bright morning by Man
tiDoah saying:
81 must leave your peaceful valley
soon forever. 60 toward the setting
sun; have vow to perform. My
nation and my friends know Manti-
noah will be true. My friend, de-
sire yon to 60 with me-
Webster consented, and preparation
was made for the journey. They left
Onandaga valley together, and after
a walk of three OF four days, taking
their journey leisurely, hunting and
fishing by the way, they arrived at
an eminence near Mantinoah's vii
lage.
"Here," said Mantinoah, ''let us
rest-let us invoke the Great Spirit
to grant lis strength to pass triumph
antly through the scenes of this day.
Here" said he, "we will eat, and
here, for the last time, will smoke the
pipe of peace and friendship togeth-
err"
After a repast of boiled venison and
and bread, the pipe was passed from
ore to the other irregular succession,
and the silence was broken by Man
tinoah saying:
"a little more than two years have
elapsed since, in my native village
near to us, in burst of passion, l
slew my bosom friend and chosen
companion. The chiefs of my nation
declared me guilty OF my friends
blood, and decreed ] must suffer
death. 1t was then sought your ma
ton; it was then | won your friend
ship. The nearest Of kin to him |
slew, according TO our custom, was
to become my executioner. My exc
cution was deferred two full years,
during which time | was condemned
to Punishment from my nation. |
vowed to return. The term of two
full years expires this day, when the
setting sun sinks behind the topmost
branch of FOUNDER tree. Beneath the
broad branches of this venerable oak,
where we now stand, at the foot of
this ancient rock, against which we
lean, stand prepared to receive my
doom. Ny friend, we have had many
a cheerful sport together; our joys
have not been circumscribed; our
griefs have been few; look not so
sad now, but let new joys arouse you
to happiness. When yon return to
the Onondagas bear witness that
Mantinoah died like true brave of
the Cayuga; that he trembled not at
the approach of death, like the cow
ard paleface, nor shed tears like a
woman. My friend, take my belt,
my knife, my hunting pouch, my
horn, and rife; | shall need them no