Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-24
AN INDIAN TRADITION.

Upon approaching Pend d'Oreille, that
lovely gem of the Coeur d AIene mountains,
the most beautiful lake in Idaho, or any
other of the western territories, the traveller
can not restrain his exclamation of delight
1t is simply magnificent in its glory of wild
and romantic beauty. 1t is perfect gem
of azure blue surrounded by granite noun
tains. whose heads reach SO high that the
sun is never seen except by looking almost
directly overhead. Every side is hemmed
in, and the way in and out to the lake is
through narrow gorges, winding, twisting,
tortuous paths formed ages ago by great
flowing floods of water, ice and and rocks
The waters are at times green as the emer-
aid, but usually blue as the sky reflected
therein As clear as the raindrop; so that
you may gaze down into its quiet depths
and see the millions Of fishes, great and
small, as they swim about among the rocks
which, in their clusters, form miniature
caves and castles. Looking from
tbs north toward the highest noun
you will notice a great black spot, which
has the appearance of having been burned
over by fire. 1t Is the shadow of a great
cavern or gorge with precipitous sides, mac
cessible to even the wild animals which in
habit this section. The only approach is by
following up a ravine until you find your
self in a dark narrow deile, INSTRUCTED
more or less with fallen rocks and timber
Oyerhanging on either side are immense
crags apparently about to tumble upon
you.
As you proceed you will notice that this
detile leads to an opening in the mountain.
At the entrance, which is reached by climb
ing the rocks to the height OF about thirty
feet is a large, fiat rock extending outward
some distance, resembling the porch of a
house. From this elevation a view down
the gorge is possible for long extent, as
well as of the lake and mountains beyond
it Proceeding into the cave, if you have
the courage for your Indian guide viii not
so even near the porch, and tries &c
dissuade you from doing So you will find a
damp, narrow corridor leading into the
heart OF the rock. By lighting wax taper
now and then you can get faiiio glimpses
of the interior. The floor is level,
the walls perpendicular, the ceiling
mass OF hanging rocks At the
end of 200 or 300 feet the main hall divides
into several smaller ones Beyond this
point probably no person now living has
been If you drop tho butt Of your rifle
sharply upon the stone floor it will produce
a thousand changing, rafting, deafening
echoes that Will make your hair stand Oh
end and uncanny shivers creep through YOU
1t is like the shouting of a thousand mani
acs, pandemonium of devils. You may
be brave, but you feel that you are ready
to leave the place without further urging.
You look back over your shoulder fire.
quently you retrace your steps to the
porch After hunting up your guide you
ask him the name Of the cave, he replies in
a whisper, 1T is the entrance to hell"
ask him more about it and as We sit to
gether at lunch he relates the following:
Many, many moons since there lived OF tie
banks of yon beautiful lake a large and
powerful tribe of Indians They were a
very warlike people, and when they made
their excursions out upon the plains in
quest of buffalo, seldom returned without
prisoners from other tribes whom they had
met and given bate. These prisoners
were often tortured and put to death
in the most cruel mannsr, but sons
times held for ransom. There were
among the band chief conspicuous
for his daring and bravery. bu,
heart,ess and cruel to his weaker compan.
ions lie was called Cheena. His father,
an old man, was q good Indian, much be-
loved 10y his tribe, and this alone savel
Cheena from being killed by men OF his owr
band whom he had injured. Lpol one OF
the hunting expeditions OF Cinema he capt
ured a youthful chief and brought him to
the village bound upon the back Of q pony.
This young man was remarkable for his
dignifed and manly bearing. Tall, of com
manding figure, he possessed also = .lne
face. He was a valuable prisoner, which
alone saved him from torture and death
He was the opposite of his captor in every
respect, excepting physical strength lie
gave his name Pono Upon his arrival
be WAS placed under a strong guard With
Cheena he WAS well treatel. Some time
passed and nothing was heard from Pono
friends
There was an Indian girl in the village of
great beauty, who, although much courtej
by the young men, seemed to care for none
Of them
You have seen the tall slender willow at
the waters edge gracefully bend and sway
in the gentle wind You nave seen tie
swift canoe upon the swelling wave glide
smoothly and quickly over tas water. Sc
moved and walked Soneta You have
wounded the rabbit and as it lay helpless at
your feet you have noticed the soft, sad
look it gave you from its great black eyes.
Such eyes had Sone:a when in pity she
gazod upon the suffering Her ha;r when
unloosensd touche1 the tops Of her mecca
sins and was as dark Is the wing OF the
black bird This maiden looked upon Poao
and loved him Poro Wa gradually al.