The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-01-08
his left and few like the wind toward


this cliff. The 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 gave chase, spreading out like fan
as they ran None had their bows, and
even now Thyendaga was beyond the
reach of arrows.
'Straight and fast as hunted deer
he leaped along, and when he came to
half of mile ahead of his pursuers;
but 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 a little while
the Iroquois, all crazy with anger, very
much mad. came up. Thyendaga was
not to be seen; and they could not get
down to the 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
the Huron warrior; and all then knew
that he was lying drowned at the bot
tom of the deep hole where no line
could reach.
I'm great shame they went back to
the camp, and the 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 Thyendaga. None
followed or gazed upon her grief, for
they said: The m aiden's heart is sore. ,
1.-TWO moons passed away and the
leaves were falling, when one day she
wandered off to the spot where Ojetka
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 athand, she
heard the rustic of leaves and the COO
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 he led her to safe
hiding-place until it should grow dark,
and as they went along he told her how,
when he leaped that day into the deep
waters, he rose again and climbed up
the vines into cave chat one above
us), which none but he knew of, before
the lroquois came to the river; and
when the search was ended, and the
black night came down, he escaped
easily to his own people. Also, he told
her that his canoe was now concealed
down the river, and he had come to
bear her off 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
home. The next day, all the Iroquois
warriors 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 a
canoe, and, lying on the sand, chiefs
totem, which Matchedash we'll knew
1.-The Great Spirit said he, has
saved Ihyendaga, and he has borne Oft
my daughter. We will make a new
peace with the Hurons, for they are
mighty and strong. 1t is good medi.
cine'
$50, next moon, he sent the wise men
of his tribe with gifts of wampum and
tobacco and costly furs to that people;
for the old chief greatly loved his child.
Thyendaga was now the head of the
Hurons, and for the sake of his wife he
accepted the gifts, and sent back many
rich presents and kind words in return.
Then all were happy. There was long
peace. and it was from the lips Of Min
nekoma that the Iroquois first knew OF
this cave l have shown you"
Poor old John told this little story
with indescribable pathos, and il may
be true. He lived for five years after
ward, and if ever an Indian deserved tc
go to The Happy Hunting Grounds, .
surely it was he.-W. Thomson, in N.
Y. Ledger