Louisiana capitolian., 1880-05-29
THE LEGEND OF EP0I.
AN AUSTRIA, STORY.

On day of year long past and
gone, an encampment of the numerous
tribe of Epoi dotted the eastern slope
of hill not far from the winding banks
of the ever-tlowng Yarca Yarra.
1t was day of the year when the sun
and the moon gaze upon each other
from opposite edges of the horizon, the
moon for one moment shyly lifting her
pale face, tinted with maiden's blush,
at the presence of the sun, in his radiant
garb of crimson and gold. He, for that
instant, flashing all his glorjes forth in
homage to the eastern queen, bends low
beneath the western hills, leaving the
heavens sbawled in purple and crimson.
Orange and scarlet form loom the
softer, richer hues of which shame those
Of famed Cashmere.
The encampment consisted OF more
than a hundred mia-mia, neatly con-
structed OF bark and waterproof, with
thatched, dome.like roofs. Long spears
stood in the ground at the entrance to
each dwelling. The light dart feathered
with grass tree, which is hurled afar
urged by the ingenious womrah Ga
throwing stickl, the heavier javelIn,
barsed with the teeth Of the kangaroo,
and longer thar its swift g!ancing
brethren.
AS the moments passed, dark forms
gliGed from the forest successiveiy into
the circle of the freight, dropping
from hand or shoulder the spoils OF the
chase into common heap. The pile OF
game grew larger, higher still, showing
from what noble hunting ground the
Epoi took their prey. Mingled indis-
eriminateiy were the greater and the
lesser kangaroo, the shy, dark wild duck
of The upland creeks, the stately, Gid
ing swan of the broad, reedtringed
lakes. The great wingless bird which
rivals the ostrich of the desert was
there. the lesser rodents and marsu-
pials; while to crown the abundant
feast, some of the dark, 1.-THE lads and
more aged men brought in coolanuns
brimming over with the luscious honey
comb. All. save these last, was cast
carelessly upon the heap, to he divided
by the elders of the tribe when the last
hunter returned.
The women, Old and yoU1g, kept the
fires glowing and the ore@-s'oues red
hot i'll expectation of the approac ching
feast. Naked, dusky children, with dark
cleaning eager eyes, gathered around
tie savory pyramid. The latest linger-
ing sky-tint from the hidden sun passed
from view. There was one, but one,
hunter missing 1t was Wiudaru-the
most fearless, tie most skilful of them
all. He it was who brought the richest
honey, the longest, strongest strings OF
wood duck. the fattest emu. Suddenly
sound Of fasthying footsteps was
heard. and WiDdaru bounded into the
camp. Instead of, as was his custom,
proudly throwing from his shoulders his
hnnter-spoils. he came empty-handed.
Driving his spears fiercely into the earth,
he stood painting before them. His
arched chest rose and fell with the me-
chancal sob which indicates the dis
tgess produced by lons-stained speed.
The muscles clasping his supple form
ouiyered and strained as If striving 10
bear him onward in his mad career.
His eyes seemed gazing far away, fast
enea 10 the terror they had left behind.
AS he stood beside his tall spears, horror
appeared to radiate from him. The men
OF the tribe drew silently around, await
lug the commencement of his speech. A
young girl, tall and 1.-THE, with startled
eyes, glided to him and seated herself
at his feet. Gradually the heaving
breast, the quivering muscles grew calm.
His eyes rested sadly on his people as lie
thus spoke:
My brothers let Us sharpen onr war
spears and count our lighting men. We
have to fight against an enemy such as
the Oldest warrior of our tribe never
gaZed Hpon. | wandered far to-day.
As hunted the Iagoons where the ocean
drinks of the waters of the Yarra Yarra,
heard sound come out of black |
cloud which rested on the salt water |
The cloud lowered over floating island
which had wings like the flying fox. I !
hid myself. | watched the island float
quickly over the water. Within a
spears flight Of the shore it grew still. !
It's wings We're folded, it sat on the
water with three leahess pines growing
upward. Then ] saw two canoes paddle