The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-10
THE STAG'S VALLEY:
A LEGEND OF THE CARPATHIANS.
BY CARMAN SYLVIA Queen of Rournania1
EDLEEN VAUGHAN PAHso PERIL W

Between the two mountains, Caraiman
and Omul there extends long crescent
shaped plain. which is named the Stays
valley. At the foot of one of these mount
aims, and leaning by the side of it. may be
seen long line of gigantic stone figures.
whose profiles and hands are even now dis
tinguishable; they are not unlike the forms
of Egg ptisn idols.
The following curious legend is related
of them:
once peopled by a race of giants. naughty
and strong. respected and feared by their
neiahbors for whatsoever they undertook
was always sure to be crowned with sue
cess.
They passed their lives IN the open air,
plept on the snow-drifts and bathed their
bodies from earliest infancy in the 10y
waters of the turbulent Pelesh river. Their
tall stature made them able. with few
strides of their long legs. TO reach the sum-
nit of the highest mountain; and did they
but brush against tree on their passage
at remained bowed and bent to all eternity.
They were nourished with milk from
bright-eyed does. and instead of horses
they rode winged stays. which wings,
though powerless to raise them aloft in the
air. lent much swiftness to their move
ments.
This gigantic race was ruled over by q
good old King, very old and wise. His
great age and his wisdom caused him to be
obeyed and reverenced by his subjects as if
they had been bis children. 1t was quite q
fine sight to see this old king mounted on
q winged stag. careering along. his snowy
hair and long white beard streaming in the
wind, and accompanied by his faithful fol-
1owera
This happy nation had but one source of
real SORROW, which was-that when their
sovereign was called to his fathers. he
would leave no son of his to succeed him.
The king had been blessed with but one
child, a beautiful young maiden, tall and
erect as pine tree. brave and courageous
rs a boy. and endowed with so much
strength that she could guide the pc wer-
full winged stays three or four abreast and
keep them quite under control.
In course of time the giants found it ex-
,pedient to assemble together to deliberate
6n council the necessity of choosing the
Kings successor. and they resolved to i'm
part to their monarch their anxiety on the
subject; so demanding an audience of him,
the foremost speaker addressed him thus:
"Ohi mighty King. may the Great Spirit
grant thee length of days! But when it
pleaseth Him to summon thee to the golden
caverns below, who then will reign over
usi For. alasl thou hast no son."
The aged King stroked his white board
and gravely answered:
Were my daughter put to the test, why
should she not WELD my scepter as val
iantIy as any boyf YOU know she has mar
Hel0us courage, and is endowed with great
bodily strength, and when she chooses q
good and wise consort you will be as happy
then under her rule as you are at present.
Shall we seek her consent to this PROPOSE
tionf"
So saying. King Briar clapped his hands,
and the reverberstion rang through the
Carpathians. pattering OF boots and
Mapping of wings was heard from afar,
followed by q connection which was not
binary sight presented itself. no other than
the Kings daughter. Vigilia. erect on the
back of q stag. refining in with her left hand
ten other stays. while with her right hand
and glittering like lightning flash. the
Her tall figure seemed to reachated
heavens. and her lovely hair flowed
around her like one of those golden clouds
which sometimes conceal the glory of the
sun. Her bright star-like eyes lighted mp
her countensnce, while joyous song came
from her parted lips and revealed small
even teeth of dazzling whiteness.
The King turned radiant face towards
his subject as If to ask them. ''Is not this
my boyish daughter manly enough to fulfill
your deslrep
In the space of second VigiIia sprang to
the ground. and. throwing the reins to the
you can. but defy any one of You to drive
Them altogether. even abreast"
Then she bent her knee before the King,
saying gently:
Yes. Vigilia. my daughter. for have to
discuss q grave question in thy presence.
Look around thee at all these my subjects,
who have come to know whom have
elected as my successor when shall be no
more amongst them. Knowest thou any
one who is capable and worthy of taking
The young girl looked gravely and
hxedly at each of the men who surrounded
her father. The serious expression of her
face deepened, and her heavily marked eye
brows contracted until they shrouded her
glistening eyes in which tears trembled.
Then she answered in q deep firm tone:
There is not one man here. OH my father
no one can be thy compeer; but thou in
fhy infinite wisdom. must long erewhile
have chosen him whom thOn thinkest most
worthy of merit to come after thee."
Thou kDowest that the person whom
designate must su bmit himself to the same
test as that which 1 myself endured, the
scars caused by which are still left visible
on my body. Dost thou know what try
iug ordeal this is. my childf"
Assuredly know, and l only ardently
wish that were boy. for 1T would have
no terror for me-"
What if i were to look upon thee as o
boyi"
The hot blood rushed to the maiden's
cheek and brow, as she said with trem-
bling voice:
81 do not deserve so great On honor, my
father and fear me am not wise enough.
but Will gladly consent to submit to and
shall with his own hand strike the first
blow. he can then anoint me as his success
sor: though he must still live for long years.
and leave me to enjoy my liberty and free
dom as heretofore" These words were re-
eeived with loud acclamatIons.
The venerable King stroked her bright
balr tenderly and bowed his assent. Then
Nigilia, smiling and tossing her golden
treeses from her blushina cheeks. said:
A moment. my father. am In q wom-
ans Rarb; allow Inc to make some change"
The decisive date was fixed, and q suit
able locality was chosen for the trial.
which was TO commence by the candidate
efandinR whole day through in the SUMS
heat without taking o morsol of food or a
drop OF liquid of any kind whatsoever
should she evInce signs OF weakness or
fatigue. or shOnld she eat OF drink at the
close or the trying day too greedily, then
she could not be their queen. Her task on
the second day would consist IN carving
unremittingly stones from n river in the
valley SUFFICIENT to form an immense pile;