St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-02-28

guarded by three warriors; but he was
we'll fed. and his legs were left ua
bound, 50 that he might bo strong and
make much sport when the timc came.
'.All night long Minnekoma watched
for chance to free him, but the gnards
slept not and the morning came. Then,
when the sun was high. all the warriors
and squaws and children went out to the
plain to SEQ tho race for life. Two lines
were formed, six feet apart, with fifty
braves face to face in each line. At the
ton. where the prisoner was to start
were young men armed only with green
rods and blunted spears; then camc
those armed with knives. and at tho far
end OF tho line stood old warriors with
tomahawks and war-clubs The pris.
oner was to run between the lines.
every man giving him q blow. and, il
he reached so far without falling, the
| warriors who bore the axes and clubs
would surely kill him. The guards now
led Thyendaga out stripped him naked,
except moccasins and breech-cloth, and
placed him at tho head Of the lines Hc
sang no death-song. but looked proudly
around upon his enemies
The word was given; the guards re-
leased him and closed up the gap be-
hind. But the brave Huron. instead OF
running between the ranks, leaped with
one mighty bound clear over tho line to
his left and few like tho wind toward
this cliff. Tho Iroquois were struck
with wonder. No man had power to
stir until Thyendaga had got far away:
and then, raising the war-whoop they
all gavc chase. spreading out like fan
IS they ran None had their bows, and
even now Thyendaga was beyond tho
reach of arrows
straight and fast as . hunted deer
he leaped along, and when he came to
the top OF the rock above US, was the
half Of milo ahead Of his pursuers;
bat they could see him all the time, for
few trees were here. Now he never
stopped or looked back. but with wild
yell OF defiance sprang far out from the
edge OF the rock. down. down into the
deep waters below. In . little while
the IrOquois, all crazy with anger. very
much mad. came up Thycndaga was
not to be seen; and they could not get
down to tho river at this place. Some
kept watch ON the bank while others
ran two miles down to the gap and
brought back canoes Everywhere they
searched. but no sign could they find OF
tho Huron warrior; and all thea knew
that he was lying drowned at the hot.
tom of the deep hole wherS no line
could reach.
I'm great shame they went hack 10
the camp. and tho squaws and little
children made game Of them. For had
not their prisoner escaped and died
without torture? But Minnekoma re-
joiced because of this thing; though she
greatly mourned for her lover Every
day she walked alone through the rocks
and forest. always weeping and calling
softly on the name Of Thycndaga. None
followed or gazed upon her grief. for
they said: The msiden's heart is sore
Two moons passed away and tho
leaves were falling, when one day she
wandered OF to the spot whcrc Ojctks
died. Here for long time she stood,
family and sorrowfully whispering to
the soft wind again and again her Low.
er's name. Suddenly, near at hand. she
heard the rustic Of leaves and the COO
ing of wood-dove. and Thycndaga
himself stood before her. No words can
tell her joy when she found it was in.
deed he, and not his spirit as she
thought Quickly no led her to safe
hiding-place until 1t should grow dark,
and Is they went along he told her how.
when he leaped that day into the deep
waters, hc rose again and climbed ur
the vines into . cave (that one above
us), which none but he know Of, before
tho Ircquois came to the river; and
when the search was ended, and the
black nigh: came down, he escaped
easily to his own people. Also. he told |
her that his canoe was now concealed |
down tho river, and he had come to
bear her of as his wife.
'MinnekOma's heart was melted. and |
when great darkness fell upon the |
earth that night she went with the |
Huron chief away across the lake to his |
homo. The next day. all the Iroquois
looked for her in vain; but
with great cunning they tracked the
two footprints over bare rocks and
through thick woods. to the edge OF the
water. There they found marks of .
:anoe, and. lying on the sand. chiefs
tOtem, which Matchedash we'll knew.
"'Tho Great Spirit said he, has
'aved Thyendaga, and he has borne of
ny daughter. We will make . new
peace with the Hurons. Cor they are
mighty and strong. It is good medi.
:ine.'
$50. next moon, he sent the wise men
Il his tribe with gifts of wampum and
obacco and costly furs to that people;
or the old chief greatly loved his child.
rhyenda9a was now the head of tho
1urons, and for the sake of his wifo he
tho gifts. and sent hack many
ich presents and kind words in return.
Then all were happy. There was . long
'eace. and 1t was from the lips Of Mia-
lckoma that the Iroquois first knew Of
his cave have shown you"
Poor old John told this little story
nth indescribable pathos, and 1t may
. true. He lived for Eve years after.
'ard, and II ever IN Indian deserved to
o to ''The Happy Hunting Grounds"
urely It was he.-W. Thomson, in n.
!. Ledger.
Durable StuR
Little Girl-My shoes is always get
In worn out dess tho leather isn't
ood leather.
Mamma-rm afraid it IL not a. good
, IL might be.
Little Girl-Nex' time we'll ask the