Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-11-22
AN INDIAN TALE



and Grow butte are all familiar go the
residents, and around each the traditions
of the Indiar still linge,. The latter by
an almost impercep'ible rise from the
plain, reaches an altitude Of some 200
feet aud then ends abruptly in an almost
perpendicular descent 20 the plains be-
low No human beng could scale the
face of the Cliff, and yet this was battle.
ground of long ago. fatal feud had
long existed between the Sioux and Grow
Indians, but fortune fGyored the former
until they had driven their enemies mp
the slope to the edge OF the prgeiyice.
Then with one Wild charge they CLOSED in
on them till the last Crow In the band was
forced owe the edge and ended the battle
and his lie on the crumbling powders
below. Once again the SIOUX surrounded
a remnant of the tribe, ans once more
they forced them to the same deathtrGp.
Il was growing dark when they lad reaUh-
ed the spot, aNd they oamped for tho
night SO that none of sasir onomies could
escape them, as might happen it they
charged them IN the d0rkuess. Estab.
fishing Gordon OF sentiuels around the
doomed foe, they spent the niShtin feast
ing, aw, t.ing the carnage Of the morn.
Aud it "a here the Indian romRncer
Weayes in one of the simple love stories
Characteristic Of the people, and without
which no lagend would be complete.
Many moons before Laughing Eyes,
the young aud beautiful daughter of the
Sioux Chief had wandered away from the
fathers camp only TO be captured by Il
band OF rowing Grows. No council was
necessary to decide her fate, and she v as
hurried away to the hunting grounds of
her oaptors, whore they could al leisure
wre6k vengeance on her for tn1 wrOngs
inflicted by her tribe. Cupid wl'led II
otherwise, however, and before hree
days of journey had been comp eted
1washna, a rising young chief, was suit
ten with her charms. Knowing that he
alone would be power!ess to save her, he
rode ahead of the band, and, reaehing the
village Of his people before them, he in
duced an ancient squaw 10 adopt her in
place hf child she had lost during an
incursion % the Sioux some years before.
Although disappointed Ia their victim,
the Crows could not dispute the jusiness
OF the exchange, and ere long Gil had
forgotten 80 Save OSashna and his res
cuod Laughing Eyes Shs had learned
the story, and ia her case gratitude turn.
ed TO love no she listened TO the stories Of
her lovers achievements. Whom not Oh
the warpath, he spent his time in the
chase, aud daily brought the product 10
the tepee OF her adopted mother.
Then he claimed her for his bride, and
IL was while she was accom- panying him
On the annual buif 40 hunt that few OF
them became separated md were 80 sur
rounded by the Sioux Then while the
braves were gloomdy awaiting tho dawn,
in which they decided to sell their lives
dearlg, her woman'- wit was busy devils
ing the means of escape for herself and
the one she loved Knowing that no
mere. would DO shown him, she quietly
killed her fayorite pony, asd nov until
she appeared before ner lord with the
blood stained hide did she divulge her
plan. 1t was to cut the hide into strips,
and knotting them together form a rope
down which they could escape. 10 re-
CURED but few moments for the re-
naming horses 10 be dispatched, but
once more she stepped forward and in
sisted upon only one rope being used.
Her request wa granted. aud one after
another the entire party reached the bot
tom ia safety, aud sac alone remained
above Then, placing a knife between
her teeth, she commenced the psrilouB
descent, stopping for a moment when
about two-thirds Of the way down. Here
she drew the knife sswiftly across the
rope, and, with r prayer to The Great
Spirit, continued her doublg dangerous
descent
/ The result was as she had expected, and
| for which she had risked her life. Know
/ ing that many of her former kinsmeu
would doubtless follow the small band OF
/ foot.sore Crows, ard she knew they would
/ take the same means 10 descend the cliff,
and, unable 10 remove the rope, she weak
ened il we're those on II would have no
means of escape. Early next morning
the Sioux discovered their enemies hal
on -generaled them, and a short search
revealed the telltsle rope. Each was
anxious 20 be the first in pursuit, but af-
ter seeing that the rope was secure' ,
fastened the place Of honor was given
TO the bravest warriors, who, one after
another, followed their chief. All vent
well until they passed the place where the
rope had been cut, when the combined
weight Of two or more Of them caused il
to snap, and they we're hurled to death
Others we're on the way down, but we're
doomed for being unable TO ascend the
greasy rope. They hung suspended be
tween earth and sky until Norn-out ma
sure could 30 longer stanu the strain
and, they too, fell ard died. The suryi
vors clustered around the edge above
them, listening TO their death songs unit
the last voice was silent, and then thsl
turned to their tspees, too appalled, b
the catastrophe 10 make an immediate
pursuit.
oxashua and Laughing Eyes thus %
capped, and evidently Lived and died hap
PLY, for they are heard Of no more IN tn
legends Of nation, bat the Bate tha