Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-06-17
AN INDIAN TRADITION.

Upon approaching Pend d'Oreille, that
lovely gem of the Cceur d Alene 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
| talns, whose heads reach so high that the
sun is never seen except by looking almost
directly overhead. Every side is helnmed
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
the north toward the highest noun
tains on the south of the lake
you will notice 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 ravine until you find your
self in dark narrow deEle, obstructed
more or less with fallen rocks and timber.
Overhanging on either side are immense
crags apparently about to tumble upon
you.
As you proceed you will notice that this
defile leads to an opening in the mountain.
8 fhl troy NH, Oh So, 1Ial -
ing the rocks to the height Of about thirty
feet, is a large fat rock extending outward
some distance, resembling tie 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 will not
go even SO near as the porch, and tries to
dissuade you from doing SO. you will find
damp, narrow corridor leading into the
heart of the rock. By Lighting a wax taper
now and then you can get faint glimpses
of the interior. The floor is level,
the walls perpendicular, the ceiling
mass of hanging rocks At the
end of 200 or 800 feet the main hall divides
into several smaller ones. Beyond this
point probably no person now living has
been. If you drop the butt of your rife
sharply upon the stone floor it will produce
thousand changing, rattling, deafening
echoes that will make your hair stand on
end and uncanny shivers creep through you.
1t is like the shouting of a thousand mani
acs, a 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.
4uently AS 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 on the
banks of yon beautiful lake a large and
powerful tribe of Indians They were |
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 battle. These prisoners |
were often tortured and put to death
in the most cruel manner, but some
times held for ransom. There were
among the band a chief conspicuous
for his daring and bravery, but
heart,ess and cruel to his weaker compan-
ions. He was called Cheena. His father,
all Illdii, was u SOcU lNuldIi, much
loved by his tribe, and this alone saved
Cheena from being killed by men of his own
band whom he had injured Upon one of
the hunting expeditions of Cheena he capt
ured a youthful chief and brought him to
the village bound upon the back Of pony
This young man was remarkable for his
ligniied and manly bearing. Tall, of COM
nanding figure, he possessed also fine
face. He was a valuable prisoner, which
alone saved him from torture and death
he was the opposite of his captor in every
'espect, excepting physical strength He
gave his name as fono. Upon his arrival
ne was placed under strong guard. With
he exception of ali occasional taunt from (
Cheena he was well treated. Some time
passed and nothing was heard from Ponos
riends
There was an Indian girl in the village of
,reat beauty, who although much courted
~ tae young men, seemed 20 care for none
Il them.
You have seen the tall, slender willow at
he water edge gracefully bend and sway
n the gentle wind. You have seen the
wifi canoe upon the swelling wave glide
moothly and quickly over the water, so
moved and walked Soneta You have
wounded the rabbit and as it lay helpless at
our feet you have noticed the soft, sad
ook it gave you from its great black eyes
uch eyes had Soneta when in pity she
azed upon the suffering. Her hair when
nloosened touched the tops of Der mocca- :
ins and was as dark as the wing of the
lack bird. This maiden looked upon Pono G
nd loved him. Pono was gradually al
owed more liberty through the intercesson {
t Cheena's father, who exacted promise
rom him not to attempt escape as long az
9 was kindly treated. He was allowed a
anoe upon the lake. He also Joined the
oung men in their games and races In
II these sports he excelled, and became
reat favorite will all except Cheena, who
ould not accept defeat without showing
is displeasure Pono was quite often in
ne company Of Soneta, and it was
,on apparent that he was in love
18th the beautiful maiden. They raced
heir canoes in friendly rivalry, sat
pom the shores of the blue water or shot
Heir arrows at targets. This incensed
heena more than anything else, for he had
led in vain to WOO this girl. He decided
} get rid of this troublesome prisoner and
ated rival if he were not soon ransomed
y his people. There were three or four
adams whom he could rely upon to do any
ind of wicked work he wished He formed
plot for the purpose OF secretly putting
ono out of the way ii he remained his
risoner much longer.
Another month had come and gone, still t
ono remained. Cheena could not wait for L
lnsom He communicated his plans to his
relings and they readily agreed to put
lem into execution. The instructions were l
take him from his tent at night, bino t
I'M and cast hirl into the water, weighing t
m with stones that his body might not be n
,und t
One night as Soneta was sitting upon the u
ank of the lake, hidden by clump of v