Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-03-24
The Maiden S Rock
A STORY FOUNDED on FACTS.

beautiful lake, called by the French
Lake Pep'n. Instead of assuming
the rough and turbulent motion OF
the Mississippi, with its water full
Of brush and fallen trees, one Is
struck with its bosom, which looks
like vast sea OF glass. But no ln-
dian would dare think of crossing
this lake when the wind is blowing,
for, though quiet in calm-in storm
it but verifies The addage that 'still
waters run Deep" and once caught
on its bosom in boisterous weather
meant certain destruction. Ii is
twenty-one miles long, and two and
one. half wide. Half way up the
eastern bank rises to the height OF
five hundred feet. The first three
hundred feet Of this bank slopes
abrupt and broken from the waters
edge to the base of a naked rock,
which rises perpendicularly two hun
dred feet more. The wildness of the
scenery is grand, inspiring, awesoae
the Indians delight. The deeds
of deviltry and cruelty, of boldness
and revenge, here committed, ate
destined never to be related SO
much for the description of this, The
principal scene of our story; or
rather the t,'agical one.
In the town of Keoxa, in the tribe
of Wapacha, lived young Indian
maiden named Winona, the pride OF
the natien-her parents JOY The
time was in the summer OF lo45.
The sun setting behind the kilss was
followed by his rear guard of shad-
ows. Then, as the hours stole on,
the moon rose over the tops OF the
pines locked down upon the old
Indian toWn, looked III at t,4e Indian
maid and her lover, seated &Rder the
shelter Of an old oak their "trysting
place. on many similar occasions.
Winona loved a brave young hunter,
and on that night thirty eight years
ago, they sat together in this favor
ite haunt. He was speaking:
.The heart of the hunter beats for
Winona only. His step in chase of
the dear is made light by the thought
that she loves him."
ssOscelo, no love bat the hunters
shall ever claim Winona. She
watches for his return from the
wood with his game, for his arm is
strong and his arrow swerves not"
But" continued the hunter, my
lodge is silent. No bright fire wei
comes my retarn, when the Great
Spirit has cast his white robe upon
the country, and when, weary with
the hunt and tired with game, l
enter it. In the summer, no hap
py face greets me, 10 loving hand
sootlles my fevered brow, or Stacks
my burning thirst. Winona, if the
hunter sees the father OF her he loves
will she come with him and gladden.
MS life :"
Eyes. will come with you. L
vii prepare your little home; VIII
eurlcn YOUR future with my love.
No more shall you return from the
chase and find your lodge empty
The picture was complete. On
all sides stretched the great forest ;
aud the moon, ppeping through the
branches, smiled upon the dusky
lovers. AS the last word was spok =
en- uy the maiden, moan crept up
through the valley the trees tossed
restlessly, and the moon Ind behind
a great dark cloud. 1t was Il bad
omen,
Th- sun had scarce assembled III
the lar east, ere the hunter sought
the lodge of the parent. His heart
Was light Calling the old warrior
aside he said
"Wapacha, it is eighteen long
summers since | became IA hunter IN
the tribe OF the Dakotas. | have
killed the deer in all the woods. My
lodge is empty no happy voice tells
me the history of our nation. am
lonely. have come to ask for Win
ona as my squaw."
"The pride of the Dakotas cannot
enter the hunters lodge. True you
are hunter; but no scalps of the
enemy can you show. ] would have
nv daughter marry = warrior 10