The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1880-09-28
A Mohawk Legend.

VTtHE valley of the Mohawk Is one of
the most picturesque and beautiful
in the world. And, IL it is attractive
now, what must It have been before its
acres were given to tillage and its noun
tain sides robbed of their forest cover
ingS
AT one point q high mountain ends
on one side in terrible precipice of at
least two hundred feet, at the base OF
which the river rolls and tumbles over
its rocky bed Connected with this
mountain is legend which, although
never before put in print, still lives in
the traditions of the neighborhood. 1t
runs as follows
More than hundred years ago Brave
Bear was one of the youngest and hand
soonest warriors of tribe of Indians
which dwelt in the Mohawk Valley.
Tall, straight and powerful, his physical
prowess won for him wide fame among
his people. Indeed, he and White Deer,
the chiefs pretty daughter, were the
pride and boast of the tribe; and, as the
chief had no son, the marriage of White
Deer with Brave Bear was ultimately,
by general consent, to elevate the latter
TO the rulership of the tribe.
The young people assented to this, for
it chimed exactly with their desire.
Time went on, and the day fixed for the
performance of the marriage rites drew
near
At this time white settlers had invad-
ed some portions of the Mohawk Val
ley and within few miles of the hunt
ing grounds of Brave Bears tribe lived
family named Patterson, consisting of
husband, wife and daughter. Mary
patterson, just past sixteen, was fresh,
blooming, and healthy. Pure air and
exercise kept her cheeks red, her limbs
supple, her spirits buoyant; and the
whole valley could not boast a prettier
girl
One day Brave Bear, wandering near
the clearing, came upon Mary. Proba-
bly, he had never seen a white girl
before, or, if he had, not one so attract
i've as Mary. Although little fright
ened by the encounter, for the place was
solitary, the girl was reassured by the
Indians kindly demeanor. Indeed, he
showed his admiration so plainly that
Mary could not but see it. He paid her
the broadest of compliments in terribly
broken English, and followed her to her
own door. Then he turned suddenly
and was gone. The fact was, that the
savage was thoroughly impressed by
Mary's charms, so different from the
dusky beauty of White Deer. The pale
faced girl was in his dreams that night,
ia spite of the proximity of his marriage
to the chiefs daughter.
With an Indian, treacherous by ma
Brave Bears sudden love for Mary
blinded him to every other sentiment.
All was swallowed up in desire to
possess the newly-found treasure, and
his scheming brain readily concocted
plan for her abduction. Accustomed to
the proverbial submission of Indian
women, he imagined that, once in pos
session of Mary, she would quietly be-
come his wife.
Stealthily watching her movements,
he soon caught her at sufficient dis
tance from her house to suit his purpose.
Selling her in his powerful arms, he
bore her rapidly off. She screamed, but
no friendly ears heard it. She entreated,
but her captor would only assure her
that no violence was intended. She
was, he added, to become his squaw;
only, he further explained, it would be
necessary for him to hide her for a few
days in some safe place. His marriage
to White Deer was at hand, and al
though the laws of his tribe did not
prevent an Indian having two or more
wives at once, he wished to have one
marital ceremony fairly concluded before
another was begun.
Brave Bear, after carrying his captive
some distance, bade her walk. Knowing
the uselessness of resistance, she obeyed.
After while he securely blindfolded
and led her, to prevent her finding the
way home in case she got away.
After walk that seemed of many
miles to poor Mary, the Indian stopped
and removed the bandage from her eyes.
Upon looking round, she saw that dense
forests surrounded them on three sides,
but the fourth was nearly perpendicu-
lar rock.
Pushing aside the vines which over
grew the latter, the mouth of small
cave was disclosed. Into it Brave Bear
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