Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1888-09-24


Then, laying aside his bow and arrows,
he passed out under the oyerhanging
arch to explore the outlet from the lake
whose high, rough and precipitous banks
forbade any other mode of exit. Wad-
ing along in .he shallow water for some
distance he observed that the overhang-
ing arch of the cavern rose higher, and
soon he saw the light of day from it's
farther side. He plunged into the stream
and swan along quietly, his watchful
eyes scanning every gap and fssure in
the rocks, until he felt the current be-
coming more rapid. Coming out he
made for the bank Of the stream, and
ciambering amid pointed rocks and loose
stones he soon gained point from
which he saw the junction OF the stream
with the river, and the gigantic falls,
where the waters OF the river rushed
down into another equally extraordinary
place. After gaining high and prom
inent place for observation, the chief
sat down upon fragment OF granite,
snd gazed around him. The bed OF the
river below presented o singular aspect.
In the middle it was smooth, though
rushing stream, while on its sides were
caverns and arches, and gullies, through
which the mad waters fercely bubbled.
escaping through rents which its own
impetuosity had carved out. White
Crane advanced to the edge OF the cliff
and looked down into the deep valley
below the falls. Then as it satisfied
with his survey he rstraced his steps, re-
passed under the arch of the cavern and
returned to the shores OF the beautiful
lake.
Moro than week had passed and
White-Orano began to think he had
baffled his enemies. There was no lack
of game and fish and every day added to
his knowledge OF the locality. He had
profited by thoae fortunate ciroum-
stances.
About dusk one evening, which gave
signs OF q stormy and disagreeable night,
he sat on q fat rock on the shore OF the
lake, thinking OF thu sad fate OF his
people. His keen, restless eye ranged
all around and his nice ear, alive to tho
faintest sound, wss ever listening for the
footsteps of the foe. Why does he start,
stand erect and clatch his ever faithful
bowl The next instant an arrow flies
from IL, o loud cry is heard and fifteen
dark and yelling forms were seen In out
line on the bluffs overhead, and the
evening air resounded with their war
whoops. as they discharged fight OF
arrows OF their intended victim. II was
the fifteen Blsckfeet warriors who we're
left by the main war party TO ferret out
the hiding place Of White-Crane. To
leap into the lake and to swim under
water until his breath could be held no
longer, then rise OF q distance and shake
his clenched fist at his pursusrs, was the
work OF o minute. The darkness was
not sufficient to hidefany very palpable
object from sight and when White Urane
reached the whirlpool where the waters
OF the lake rushed into the cavernous
passage 80 the river the Blackfeet saw
him drawn into the vortex and an awful
yell rent the air. The whole fifteen
warriors were soon running along on the
land which gave distinct view OF the
river below. Another yell, half OF pleas
ure, half Of admiration followed, as they
beheld the apparently lifeless form OF
White-Crane issue from the dark cavern
and foat down the stream. Wishing TO
capture him alive, every dark form
which moment before was filled With
bitter sensations Of disappointment, now
dilated with Joy as they plunged in after
the chief, Each man sought to be the
winner OF the prize. The end OF tie
chase no longer appeared doubtful.
White, Crane stunned, bruised and be-
wiidered, however, rapidly recovered,
but not so rapidly as to be match for
any one OF his pursuers, who fresh
strong in numbers and eager to take
him csptiYe, rushed after him with in.
tense eagerness. which showed how
much they valued their prey.
White-Oran laughed aloud, laugh
Of taunting bitter irony, az he cried:
"Ths Blackfeet are squaws. The Black
feet are cowardly dogs" Still they
rushed on, more eager than ever, their
yells mingling with the boiling waters.
Suddenly White Crane plunged head
long under water. A yell OF horror,
terror and agony, burst from the war
riors as they yainly strove to turn.
Those behind them pressed them on as
NAN clung to man. One gigantic
warrior clutched q point Of rock and for
an instant they became one dark station
a7y mass as they clung to the form Of
their chief. They were in the vortex OF
the cataract. The currens was too inn
petuous to be Btemmed, There was NO
hope. A loud taunting laugh caused
them to raise their eyes to the bank. ON
which stood the avenger, pointing to
the abyss below. A cry then rose 60
horrible. SO piteous, 80 deathlike that
sven White-Crane was appalled, and he
covered his eyes az they were drawn
over the falls to eternity. Not one was
saved. He had his revenge. The place
is now deserted. No one will dwell ia
l. \