The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-04-20
A Legend.
ORIGIN OF THE RAINBOW FALLS.

Montana, the region now called the
Sweet Grass Hills became their camping |
ground. There they pitched their tents
am turned their ponies out 70 craze on
the wild sweet grass which grew So
~abundantly. Before solitude had reigncd
and only the root Of the owl or the scream
OF the bald eagle broke the stiffness. |
Now q thriving village occupied the Tor.
mcr haunts OF the wild deer and bear.
During the day the old men and women
sat outside the tepces In the warm sun-
shine. The young women and maidens
tanned the skins for the moccasins and
stretched them for the lodges, cooked the
flesh of the bea and deer, or gathered
roots N herbs for healing. The young
men hunted the antelope and buffalo, or
in the rivers. The children laughed, sang
and played through the long summer
days, or helped the women in their
tasks. At night the feasting fires
were lighted and the chief,
Gray Eagle, with his braves, sat
ries of the kini-kinik or the slender stalks
of the clematis and chewed the brown
bulbs OF the camas root. The young men
joined In games OF danced round the fire,
and the moon-thc white spirit of the
night-lookcd down and was pleased with
NlEs Nkott III INV wv hf
peace n content for many moons. Near
by the hostile Crows had camped, but the
Picgans did not fear them. They
had smoked the pipe of brotherhood,
and though the Crows were treacher-
GUS thsy did not trouble the Piegans.
The most beautiful maiden of the Piegan
tribe was Spotted Fawn the daughter of
one Of the old chiefs. Though young she
was fair as the dawn upon the hilltops
and was skilled in all the sports OF the
chase. Her foot was light and swift as
the lawn whose name she bore, While
her arm was strong and her aim true
when speeding the arrow or posing the
spear. She of all the maidens was most
loved by the tribe for her beauty and
g~entlencss. All the young braves sought
her i'm marriage but she would not
listen: The strongest and bravest
Of the young chiefs was Black
Eagle. He il was who ~oftenest
brought home game and fish. He was
foremost in all the games and even
ing sports. Once he had brought home
the scalps OF two Crow braves, who were
stealing the ponies. After that the tribe
looked upon him as the one most III Ia
take the place of Gray Eagle, when the
Great Spirit should call him to the hunt
ing grounds OF his fathers. Spotted Fawn
cared not for love. Least OF all did she
spirit .remblcd before the flerceness
OF his eyes and she feared him.
One day she went far from the camp
in search of the sweet hucklcberries which
grew upon the hillside. She had found a
place where they grew thickly. and hav-
ing filled her game bag was returning
homcward when she saw a large grizzly
standing i'm her path. She knew that To
run would be to be- instantly ovcrtakcn
and killed. So she stood still and fixing
an arrow i'm her bow she aimed IL straight
at the monsters eye. Ii struck but only
made "A flesh wound, and with a owl of
fury the huge creature rushed upon the
girl. Ere he reached her an arrow pierced
/, him and he fell dead at the maidcn's feet.
A young brave dashed through the bushes
I. and stood before her. Spotted Fawn saw
by his dress that he was n Crow chief, and
/. by his face that he was good and gentle.
? They conversed and the young man told
! her his name was White Cloud, He had
bcen hunting the bear and had tracked
him TO This spot, where he had killed him
3 as the maiden felt the goodness ant
Z bravery of the young chief thrill through
her soul she felt that she loved him.. tn,
young brave had never seen 30 lovely ;
T. maiden and his heart became soft as 4
y woman's when he met the glance of he
! large fawn-iike eyes. Many times aficI
|. that did Spotted Fawn and White Clou,
meet and plight their troth To one another
Each day their love increased until IL fillet
= their souls with a flame like Ia the erin
sDU tires OF TIC SILL wIltn Ie tuftllfiS tls
west with dyes and s~plendors for hi,
:. nightly dreams. Zach knew that To LEI
! the tribes know of their affection woul,
he To create war between the tribes. The,
would together be put to the torture, -
G they concealed their love.
= Spotted Fawn joined no more i'm th,
games and pastimes OF the young people
G She sat apart, or conversed with TIN
n women. She who had once been th,
gayest OF the maidcils was now quicte
than the oldest squaw Of the tribe
n Among all In wondered at the chang
n in the favorite, none were more curiou
h IA Black Eagle. lie Watched her se
u crctly, n when she went TO unit n
usual. followed her. Al last White Clou'
said to the maiden: 1--WE nave loved 10
two moons, Spotted Pawn. Our tribe
will kill MS IL they find us out. Let us iie
10 the friendly Blackfcct and bccom
Of their tribe. Tomorrow night wbcl
the moon Is highest we will meet here AN,
go far away from this valley to happ
ness"
p The maiden consented, and they par,e
= 20 meet again on the morrow. Spotte
!. Fawn shivercd. for she thought she sa,
. the plumes of Black Eagle through ia
: trees.
q The next night as the moon reache
Z its highest point, Spotted Fawn stol
" away from the camp and met Whit
Cloud, aud together they sped swift
= away,away until the camp was lef' far BIZ
u hind. For three days they travelled. scarcel
D. pausing except at night when thorough
III weary they slumbercd beneath some gian
r pine or lay down on the soft messy bank
"a Of some tributary stream. One bcautift
u evening as the sun was sinking to slice
NJ behind the deep blue mountains, Spotte
r. Fawn and White Cloud were travelin
al slowly ON their journey across a broa
IL prairie, beyond which CLEANED the silv,
water of the great riyer-the Missouri
A. they heard wild shouts behind them, an
turning saw 30 braves with Black EagI
Of ut their head. Summoning all the
,c powers of swiftness they fled across tl
ne prairie. Could they cross the great riv,
or they are safe. Beyond lay the territor
T. of the Blackfect. where the Crows an
~ Piegans dhre not enter. SO they strai
n. every nerve To reach the river. The vii
i'll shouts of their pursIiers ring In their ear
Death rather than fall into those mere
TO less and Swift they fly, but swiftcr "
ld come Black Eagle and his warriors. Th,