Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-01-25
THE LOST SPEAR.

Once upon a time when the fairies
were still in this land, ami tue black
man had not BEEN driven inland away
from the sea shoe, mighty King
called all his chiefs together to witness
contest between the four strongest,
braYest, and hauds0meSt, of the Young
meu of al his subjects. The prize wai
tie Kings youngest daughter -lh,
bls * eyed Lala ami t1e one of thesa
four who should thr W the aSssgai the
farthest should win her for his bile.
Many princes aud chiefs agd their
followers Assem- mDled at the Kings VII
iage by the saI, an many days went
by In feaSting and IN choosing four
from all that host, who were at Tue
same time the strongest, bravest, and
most handsome there.
At last four were ch OseH. Three OF
them were sons or great chieftains.
but the fourth was only poor herds
man. Yet the Princess Lala, who
stood at her fathers hut thought hi M
the best of all. A sandy plain til at
stretched between the mountains w as
chosen, and the four champors stood in
row ready to throw. The first thre W
his assegai SO well that it fell upright
into an anthill far away. Tie second
aSSegai stool qIIvering in the bark OF a
hT tree many races beyond the aut-hiIl.
The spear OF the thIid p'erc d the
breast OF a gold and green sugar-Jird
that was huiteTing over a tall aloe blOs-
SOM still further away. But the herds
man, who was fourth, threw his asse-
gal so vigorously that it flew Ike
flash OF lightning up into the heavens,
and struck hawk that was soaring
there in search of prey
Loud were the acclamationS of the
peopl f., ami they adjudged the fourth
the winner. The Princess weps for
joy, but the great King who did not
wish his daugh er TO we'd a humble
herd man, said
LET them throw again with spears
that | shall give them. tbs man's
weapon was surely teyitched."
So on the morrow the King sent for
fresh spears Of gold. Aud to the
princes were given splendid, equally
balanced ones; but the her Is nin's WIS
clumsy and untrue. A ain they threw,
and again the herdsmaI'5 assegaI out
distanced those OF TIE Others. Tnis
time 1t flew into the clodds, aHI was
lest to sight in their whiteness.
But the King was uUjuJt, and ss'd:
''NOt TIL you have found the spear.
and bring 1t to nay feet, shall you win
my daughter the beautiful Lula. Col
The Princess clung to her father
and wept, saying she loved this gallanJ
herdsman; but the King took her arms
from around his neck, and bade her go.
To disObey the King meant death, and
the girl went.
Thus ZaGdilli, the hardsman, set out in
search OF the royal assegai. He wandered
some days among the mountains. for il
was in the win1-clOuds on their brows
the spear had disappeared. 1t WAS on
the fourth day Ct his wandeTlngs that,
whilst he was gazing down into The
depths of brown pool, butcher.
bird" fell at his feet, c!utching in It's
talons tiny green frog. The frog
cried for help, and z .ndilli succeeded
In frightening the bird away.
The frog expressed its grititu e, and
said: "If ever you are in trouble, AMI
think can help you, close your eyes
and call to mind this brown pool, and
shall come to your assistance"
Zandilli thanked the kind frog, who
then disappeared in the water.
A little further on he saw a large
black and yellow butterfly impaled up
on q thorn of prickly-pear. He releas
ed 1t, and the butterfly said
81 was thrust upon that thorn by
pair Of tiny brown hands belong ;ng to
little maid with large black eyes.
Shs was cruel. You ara kind, and l
am grateful If ever you are in diff
Guilty or danger call me, and | shall be
at your service"
Then the glorious insect spread Its
wings, and flew away to play with its
mates among the crimson orchids.
Night was approaching on tbs fifth
day, and still the lost spear had not
been found. 1t was a warm su Emel's
night, and the moon rose, a great bali
OF crimson fire, from out the fog in The
east.
Zandilll was anxious to find some
shelter for the night, and to that end
entered narrow go~pP. through which
trickled tiay stream. it was very
dark in this rayine. It's walls wers
very high, and he fell into deep ter
holes, and stumbled over slippery
boulders; but Zandnli persevered,
knowing how often rail- caves are
found in these ravines And such a
cave at Ia he came upon. The moon, |
now clear of the fog, had holted up
mo the heavens, and shOne into the
gorge, lighting up its western wall |
Into large cavity her liyHt fell in a
broad pathway Of l.er.
Zandilli entered boldly; he, who had |
lived among the mountains all his life, |
knew no fear. The light CT the neon |
did not enter very far into the cave, |
and he was to) tired to explore The |
darkness beyond, so he lay down to rest, !
with his spear close at hand.
He awOke to find the cave In total
darkness, an strange soft music |
greeted lis ears. It was music sweeter ,
than that of the turtle.dove calling to
her mate, softer than the murnur OF
tue wind among the grass-bells. Its
soUul thrilled the listeners heart, and
m"de him long TO look upOl the being
who g voice could discOIrse such sweet
nus Zandilll arose, and crept with
ST pj@snOiSelessa as the leopard s towards
tie place whence the music came.
Nearer and nearer it grew, and as h.
advanced the cave grew broader AM
higher, and pale light seemed to
tlOcd The walls.
Louder grew the music at each step,
lofti tive walls, and more brilliant the
light, until suddenly such sight burst
up N his astHnished e-es as never I
m' riai had seen before.
A large lake spread its sapphire
waters before him. The rotf Of the
cave Shone as ths sur, and great pillars,
v hich sparkled with the glitter Cf
c. until ass diamonds, raised themselves
from the waters and were lost in the
blazing glory or the dome. In tie very
centre OF the lake magnificent flight
OF ALTERING golden steps lsi to
throne, which sent forth flashes Of