Nevada County picayune., 1888-04-25

tile Ilasau
 Binding his moccasins firmly upon his feet, he washed the marks of grief from his face. and painted it with the brightest vermilion and blue. Thus, in the splendid colors ofa triumphant warrior. he returned homeward. All was silent in the village when, in the gray light of ear. iy day, he entered his lodge. Soon the joyful news was known. From lodge to lodge it spread until the last wigwam was reached. Onato- gas quest was successful,
 Then the warriors began to gather. Furtively, even in their gladness, they sought his lodge, for the fear of the Piasau was over all A solemn awe fell upon them as they gathered around the chief. who. it was whis- pered, had heard the voice of the Great Spirit. Without. on that high bluff, they knew that the liendb bird crouched. waiting for the morning light to reveal it's prey. Within, in sorrowing silence. they heard how the people could be saved; but the hearts of the warriors were heavy.- All knew the sacrifice demanded their braycst and their best
 Onatoga chose his twenty warriors and appointed them their place, where the rolling prairie was broken by the edge of the forest. Then, when the sun shot it's first long shafts of light across the level grasses. the chief walked slowly forth and stood alone upon the prairie. The world in the morning light was beautiful to Onatoga's eyes. The flowers be- meath his feet seemed to smile, and poured forth richest perfumes the sun was glorious in its golden breast plate, to do him honor; while the lark and the mock bird sang his praise in joyous songs.
 He had not long to wait. Soon, afar off. the dreaded Piasau was seen moving heavily through the clear morning air. Onatoga. drawing himself to the full measure of his lofty height, raised his deathsong. The dull huttcr of huge wings came nearer, and q great shadow came rushing over the sunlit fields, Onato- %. never ceasing his chant, face the piasau fearlesslv. 4 sudden fierce swoop downward. In that very mo- ment, twenty poisoned arrows, loos- ed by twenty faithful hands. sped true to their aim. With scream that the bluffs sent rolling back in sharp and dcafcning echoes, the foul monster dropped dead The Great Spirit loved the man who had been willing to sacrifice his life for his people. In the very instant when death seemed sure he covered the heart of Onatoga with shield; and he suffered not the wind to blow aside single arrow from the mark the body of the fated Piasau.
 Great were the rejoicings that fol lowed and rich were the feasts that were held in honor of Onatoga. The lllini resolved that the story of the great deliverancc and of the coura- geous love of Onatoga should not die. though they should themselves pass away. The cunning carvers of the tribe cut deep into the living rock of the bluff the terrible form of the Piasau. And, in later years. when young children asked the mean ing of this great figure, so unlike any of the birds they knew upon their rivers and their prairies, then the fathers would tell them the story of the Piasau, and how the Great Spirit had found in Onatoga, a war rior who had loved his fcllowme better than he loved his own life.- John Dintry, in St. Nicholas.