Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-05-10
THE LAST OF THE MOulClNS.
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the native part Of the audience. HIS
look never changed throughout the
whole of the scene, nor did muscle
move in his rigid countenance, even at
the widest or most pathetic parts of
the lamentation. -E# =
In this stage of the obsequies, a war;
rior much renowned for deeds in arms,
and more especially for services in the
recent combat, man of stern and
grave demeanor, advanced slowly
from the crowd, and placed himself
nigh the person of the dead.
"Why hast thon left us, pride of
the Wapanachki Z" he said, addressing
himself to the dull ears of Uncas, as if
the empty clay retained the faculties
Of the animated man; "thy time has
been like that of the sun when in the
trees; thy glory brighter than his
light at MONDAY. Thou art gone,
youthful warrior, but a hundred
Wyandots are clearing the briers from
thy path to the world of spirits. Pride
Of the of Wapanchki, why hast thou
left us 7"
He was succeeded by others, in due
order, until most of the high and gift
ed men of the nation had sung or
spoken their tribute of praise over the
names of the deceased chief.
Then low, deep sound was heard,
like the suppressed accompaniment Of
distant music. The lips of Chingach-
cook had so far parted, as to announce
that it was the monody of the father.
A signal was given, by one of the
elder chiefs, to the women, who crowd
ed that part of the circle near which
the body of Cora lay. Obedient to the
sign, the girls raised the bier to the
elevation of their heads, and advanced
with slow and regulated steps, chant
as they proceeded. Gamut, who had
been close observer of rites he deem
ed so heathenish, now bent his head
over the shoulder of the unconscious
father, whispering
"They move with the remains of thy
child; shall we not follow, and see
them inferred with Christian burial :"
Munro started, as if the last trumpet
had sounded in his ear, and bestowing
one anxious and hurried glance around
him, he arose and followed in the SIM
pie train, with the mien of soldier,
but bearing the full burden of a
parents suffering.
The place which had been chosen
for the grave of Cora was little knoll,
where cluster of yonng pines had
taken root, forming of themselves a
melancholy and appropriate shade
over the spot. On reaching it, the
girls deposited their burden. and con
tinued waiting, with native timidity.
for some evidence that they whose
feelings were most concerned were
content with the arrangement. At
length the scout, who alone under
sto. their habits, said, in their own
language
"My daughters have done we'll the
white men thank them"
Satisfied with this testimony in their
favor, the girls proceeded to deposit
the body in shell, ingenuously fab
ricated Of the bark of the birch after
which they lowered it into its dark and
final abode. The ceremony If cover
ing the remains, and concealing the
marks of the fresh earth, by leaves,
and other natural and customary OBJ
jects, was conducted with the same
simple and silent forms. But when
the labors of the kind beings were so
far completed, they hesitated, in
way to show that they knew not how
much further they might proceed. 1t
was in this stage of the rite that the
scout again addressed them.
''My young women have done
enough" he said; "the spirit of pale
face has no need of food or raiment-
their gifts being according to the
heaven of their color. l see," he add
ed, glancing an eye at David, who was
preparing his book in a manner that
indicated an intention to lead the way
in sacred song, that one who better
knows the Christian fashions is about
to speak"
The females stood modestly aside,
and, from having been the principal
actors in the scene, they now became
the attentive observers of that which
followed. During the time David was
occupied in pouring out the pious feel
ings of his spirit in this manner, not
sign OF surprise, nor a look of i'm
patience escaped them. They listened
like those who knew the meaning of
the strange words, and appeared as if
they felt the mingled emotions of SOL
row, hope and resignation, they were
intended to convey.
Excited by the scene he had just
witnessed, and perhaps influenced by
his own secret emotions, the master of
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