The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-04-21


to the forest and not yet returned.
Abou, this time part Of the Wabash
tribe travelled down the stream to n neigh
borhood that was rich with blue clay, in
order to provide themselves with this
article as they used it in their tatooing.
Winopa's family took part in this expe-
dition, and on the very day that they
reached Lake pcpin the third month cx-
pired. Immediately the father of the
maiden sent by one Of his sons 4 hand.
somcly adorned pipe to the chicftain,
who had followed his promised bride.
Upon this bidding the Suitor once more
turned his steps direct TO Winona with
the entreaty that she would follow him
TO his tent as his beloved squaw. But
Winona in return only dismissed him.
Then the father became cnragcd and
declared il as his unchangcablc will that
the next day the marriage ceremony
should be performed. "lou wish to
compel me-" said Winona. ''to break
my word in order to keep yours, through
which you have disposed Of me without
my consent. So now ! declare to you
anew that the chicftain, whose name
will not even once utter, do not love,
| in spite OF his famous deeds that with
him ! will not live, with him cannot live.
Since you have banishcd Wazccota will
not associate with any man. On my
knees have cntrcated you TO allow me
10 remain single, but you needed me not.
He who loves me and whom alone love,
wandcrS now in the wide forests, accom-
panied only by his sorrow. Perhaps he
alreadyno longer iarries upon thiscarth
perhaps he is already ranging through the
Heavenly hunting grounds Of the Great
Spirit. But even there he will no, have
forgetfulncsss ofmc. There also he will
miss me TO spread about him the robes
when he wcarily returns from the hunt
to roast for him the sirloin of the slaugh-
tered deer. There also by my side will
be wish to rest and long for my carcsses.
In the past night ! heard his voice in a
dream. Follow, it said to ne, 'and |
will follow Oh how willingly obey
this command -
With these words Winona left the wig
wan Of her parents. vino, paying special
attention to what She had said, made all
preparations for the marriage to take
place.
When, however. the next morning
dawned, the bride WI, missing. All went
forth to seek her and soon she was seen
upon the rocky plate which reaches far
over above the current Of the "Fathcr Of
Waters" " Il was totally impossible to
reach her. No one could conceive how
she could have climbed 10 such terri.
bic height, and soon the whole tribe as
sembled At the foot OF the rock. Bu,
Winona sang in clear tones the sacred
song which the sqraw sings over the
dead body OF her husband, verse of
which is given below according TO its
translation:
above /. my friend.
My loved one waits in Heaven.
think of him and wish to prepare his meals.
Soon he will have something 60 cat
I'LL the kettle for the spirit Of my love.
prepare for him part o: the bear which he
has killed:
Ny beloved IL skiful and strong;
Every animal that he will hc can kill.
lie waits for me.
No, much longer shall you wai; my loved one;
come. come TO thee
After she had thus sung she stepped
forth to the edge OF the plate. Looking
down she saw in the midst OF the crowd
her parents, making sings for her to de-
scend. She, however, shook her head
and cried with loud voice: Farewell,
my parents, farewell forever. You wish
TO compel me TO give my hand 20 one
whom | do not love. However. YOU
did no, understand a maidcn'S heart
Iou did not understand that Winona
could not be false TO him whom she had
promised herself. Now | go to unite
myself with him in eternity"
Then she opened wide her arms is il
to embrace the loved one, and casting
her eyes toward Heaven Is il seeking
him there in the blue heights, she sprang
from the plate into the stream, which
rose with splash as il received its victim.
The whole tribe mourned for Winona;
but no human car ever again heard any
thing of Wazccota.
From this time forth this rock in the
Mississippi has been called Maiden
Rock" Whenever an Indian passes by
in his canoe he murmurS prayer to the
memory OF the maiden of the Wabash
tribe.