Louisiana capitolian., 1880-05-27


was the only woman Of the tribe un-
decked in the cheap finery freely be-
slowed upon the others.
1t was many months since the floating
island had first appeared near the silent
strand of the Epoi. Windara strobe
into camp long after moon had risen
lie threw from his weary shoulders his
days spoil. Far and fast be had toiled
for it, and bis soul was troubled to
find the game retreating still farther in
land day by day.
He passed on to thu mia-mia o Wor-
angou. The old warrior lay on his
back, with face upturned to the sky
Tho opossum rug Wa, cast from his
brawny chest His flowing silver beard
shone in the moonlight. His lips
moved his hcaving breast showed that
his sleep was troubled.
OondiIla, ever watctfuI, Will, we'll
heated oven-stoncs, prepared the even
ing meal. Together they partook Of it.
Then they sat silently watching the
sleep of their fathcr--of the father Of
Epoj. As the moon lowered over the
centre of tho earth Worangon awoke
sang loud and long the deathsong Of an
Epoi.
Mournfully rose and fell the monoton-
GUS cadence of Fate fulfilled. An avail
anche of woe seemed to pour from the
heart of lost race. In that death song
the blood of the black mans future was
offered up as a holocaust for the mighty
requirements of the white mans rule.
This last tones of the song sunk lower,
till borne away by the wind rs it sighed
through the swayiug forest trees.
The eyes of the old chief fell "n the
listening countenances and intent forms
of his son and daughter. He beckoned
to them. They approached and sat at
his feet. Windaru knew well that he was
abont to listen to the last words OF his
chief and father. Patient and dumb as
young Indian warrior he made ges-
ture of attention.
"Windaru, O my son, aud Oondilla,
my daughter" said the grey ciieftain
solemnly "the only ones, of 50 many,
who have not cast the traditions Of the
Epoi behind you, listen: My soul will
linger but a little while in the land of
my love and of my birth. Last night
my soul was in spirit land. have
looked upon the future of our race.
''1 saw the tribe of Epoi, with its mia
mias scattered over many hills. The
hunters spread over tho plains and
thread the forest. Kangaroo and emu
fell before the swilt-hying spear. The
bees rendered up their treasure OF yel.
low honey. The rivers and lakes offer
ed their fish, the earth its roots and
herbs. The women Of the tribe were
busy all throdgh the long days trim
m,ng and solteniug the skin Of tlo ami
mails slain by hunters, fashioning them
into warm rugs for the cold of winter
The children were many and rolled
with the dogs on tho grassy slopes, or
played with the "witchiewitchie'
among the mia mias. The ovens were
gaping with fiery teeth of red-hot glow
ing stones for the ever ready feast
Peace and plenty filled the land. The
Fpo; were free and happy.
Suddenly from tho East 70 G cloud
on the sea, with three leatless pines ur-
| reared TO tho heavens. Swiftly the
| cloud travelled till it rested in the air
over the hunting ground Of tho Epoi
In the centre of the cloud stood form
white as the down of the black swan
but with cold and cruel countenanCe.
tIie looked on tho lands Of the Epoi
IIe saw that they were good. tic
stretched forth his hands over the hills
and valleys and there flew from him
two white owls. These darted into the
plains and multiplied into myriads. The
air was full of them. They killed and
deyonred all the gronnd game-baDdi-
coots anl water rats, inanas, field mice
and op0ssums--tlley left not one alive
When there were no more, the owls
disappeared, save two; which returned
to the Cloud.
"The Cloud Porn again raised his
hand. Fishing nets descended and
rakcd the fish from every river an(
lake, leaving them to rot in the sun
The nets were again drawn back to the
Cloud.
"The hand was again uplfted. The
kangaroo and eum were seized with +;
pestilcnce. They went blind--they
killed themselves against trees ant