The western sentinel., 1889-06-27
THE MAIDEN ROCK.
An Indian Love Story, Written Specially
for tsThe Sentinel

|
! An Indian Love Story, Written Special.
for "The Sentinel"
by George Hines Gorman-]
Where the gurgling Mississippi
Rushes on through Pepin Lake,
In the vale of Minnesota
Some league or two from Frontenac
Where the mountains of the prairie
In their arms the waters lock
Like mighty estuary;
There the solemn Maiden Rock,
Looking down into the water
From the dizzy heights above
Tells thee of Zamona's daughter
And of woman's faithful love.
In this land of the Wabashas
Where Keoxa village stood,
Which the murdrous Chippewas
Oft have filed with human blood,
Dwelt the war-like chief, Zamona,
Midst his small but trusty band,
And with him the brave Winona,
Fairest maid in all the land.
She was 1.-THE of form and feature,
Cast in Natures finest mould,
And, though still savage creature,
She possessed a noble soul.
Likewise dwelt the mighty hunter
Nigh keOxa's eastern side,
Dwelt the young and brave Wacouta,
Greatest hunter of his tribe;
And he loved the fair Winona
With passion strong and true
And this mighty brave, Wacouta,
Was by her beloved too.
h f1,o e4<, Co. I, 60
It,
Over hill and dale and moor,
Killed the latest deer and placed it
At the great Zamona's door,
Once and twice and thrice he carried
To the Lodge the fatted deer,
Then he hied him home, and tar:ied
Till Zamona should appear.
Came the stern and grim Ramona
To the lodge of this young brave
Saying, "Dost thou seek Winona,
Is it she that thou wouldst have?
Thou hast left the sign, Wacouta,
Three moons at my wigwam door,
l would know thy mind, Wacouta,
Ere speak unto thee more"
"Know, o mighty chief, Ramona"
Thus Wacouta, trembling, said,
ssThat I loye the fair Winona,
That love thy frst-born maid;*
Know, o mighty chief, ZamOna,
That the maiden loves me, too,
/ would wed the fair Winona
And I ask her now, of you"
''Thou canst never have my daugh-
ter,'
Said Zamona, stern and grim,
s'For greater one has sought her;
have given her to him.
Know, Wacouta, that Wasewa,
Chieften of the Northern band,
Conquerer of the Chippewa,
Asks me for Winona's hand.,.'
Then he left the lodge in anger,
Saying, as he closed the door,
"Thou shalt be to her stranger,
Thou shalt see the maid no more. -
Then the war-like Chief, Ramona,
Walked him forth at even tide
Searching for the maid, Winona,
All along the river side;
After searching long he found her
On the slope of yonder quay
Where, in rich profusion round her
Fell the light of dying day,
Fell like dying hopes to greet her
As she lifted up her voice
To the great Kashamaneto*
For the loved one of her choice.
81 have sought thee here, WinOna,"
Thus the war-like chieftan spake,
As he stood erect before her
On the border of the lake,
'I've sought thee here to make il
known
That Wasewa, great in strife,
Still seeks thee. maiden, for his own,
Seeks thee for his welded WIFE"
"But cannot wed Wasewa,
Said the maiden, cold with fear,
"For l love the brave Wacouta,
He alone to me is dear"
go my father, brave Zamona,
| Hearken to thy daughters woe,
Listen to the poor Winona,
Do not frown upon me SO;
1 have loved the brave Wacouta
Throughout all the days of life,
/ can never love another
| And I must, shall be his wife.
Grant me this, beg, besceech thee
And all other things I'll do
just as thou, O Chief, shall teach me
Just as thou would have me do"
But the grim and stern Ramona,
Deaf to all the maiden's prayers,
Calls upon Kashamaneto
And with solemn oath he swears:
"Thou shalt never wed Wacouta,
Thou shalt never be his bride,
But shall wed the brave Wasewa
Ere the rains of spring betide;
Heark We, maiden, have sworn it
And if thou shalt disobey
All thy life thou shalt bemoan it
And bewail the hapless day"
When the Wabashas, commanded
By Zamona, cold and stern,
Of Wacouta now demanded
That he never should return
To the village of Keoxa;
81 refuse to leave" he said
81 refuse to leave Winona
And vow the maid to we'd"
But they drove him to the forest
And they burned his wigwam down.
And no trace of brave Wacouta
Since that day was ever found.