Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-08-19
A LEGEND.
Many hundred moons ago there dwclt on


the lakes they were perhaps the most pow
crful of the tribes into which their nation
was divided. They We're noted fer the
courage and skill of their braves" as the
young warriors were called, and they were
no less famous for the beauty and modesty
of their maidens. The fame also of their
wise men-elders of the tribe-had spread
through the land, and many another tribe
envied them their firm and gentle govern
ancc.
Among the young men of the tribe none
was more highly esteemed by its elders than
Ahdeck, the son of the chief. Brave, hand
some and kind hearted, he was the beloved
of the people. The young braves followed
him on the warpath or to the chase with
confidence, and many bashful glance
beamed from bright eyes as Ahdeck, re-
turning from the chase, passed by where
the matrons of the tribe instructed the
maidens in the simple arts of their nation.
1t was felt by all that when Gitche Mantle
(the Great SPIRIT called away the old chief
to the happy hunting grounds he would
leave capable successor behind him.
But if Ahdeck was the leader of the
young braves, among the maidens no SUI
perior was acknowledged to Nokomis.
1.-the and agile as the mountain deer, her
countenance, to use an Indian metaphor,
was like the full moon. Among the youth
of the opposite sex a smile or u word from
Nokomis was sufficient for days happi
ness. But gradually dependency spread
among the young braves as it became whis
pered about that the brave Ahdeck himself
= e,1Io ,so@s ~
the winsome Nokomis. And who could
hope to successfully compete with Ahdeck?
The trophies of his skill and courage were
laid by him at the feet of Nokomis, and the
Indian maids dark cheek glowed AS she
saw the meaning smiles of her companions.
But many a young brave was hcartaick for
love of the dark tressed Nokomis.
Now the time came round when solemn
annual festival was wont to be held by this
tribe. Dwellers by the great lakes and liv-
ing within the ceaseless sound Of the thun-
dering cataract, great was their generation
for the spirit of the falls. And it had been
declared by an ancient wise man that only
SO long as an awful annual tribute was paid
would the powerful spirit continue to pro-
tect them. Therefore it was the custom all
nually for the maidens of the tribe to draw
lots, and the chosen one, seated in a canoe
gayly bedecked with fruit and flowers,
floated down the river to meet certain de.
struction at the falls. AS this festival drew
nigh anxious depression filled the mind of
Nokomis
Every year as long as she could rcmem
Der young and innocent maiden had been
sacrificed in this manner. What if she
drew the fatal lot? In vain did Ahdeck
attempt to comfort his betrothed, the soul
of the Indian girl was filled with dark fore
bodings of-coming sorrow. Just as her life
had reached its goal of happiness the dark
shadow ofapproaching grief hung threaten
ingly before her As Ahdeck wandered at
night beneath the silvery birch trees on the
banks of the river his heart sickencd with
anguish at the thought Of the possible end
to his hopes and he formed the stern reso-
luton that if Nokomis died it should not be
alone
The fatal day drew rapidly nearer. At
last 1t arrived. The maidens Of the tribe
were gathered around Nokomis weeping,
for, alas, the lot had been taken, and the
beloved of Ahdeck was to die! Not to No
komis had Ahdeck breathed n word of his
resolve. And to neither of them had the
thought of flight suggested itself, or, if it
had, only to be instantly dismissed as I'M
worthy Of an Indian.
The whole tribe assembled on the bank
of the river. All hearts were filled with
sorrow and anguish, but none thought of
violating the dreadful custom. 10 their
simple minds any deviation would have
meant ruin, irretrievable and inevitable
ruin, for the whole tribe. 1t was splendid
autumnal dawn. A blaze of color was on
the foliage as the warm sun shed its beams
over the farreaching woods
Slowly the maiden drew near the bank,
attended by her weeping friends. She was
attired in white. her dark hair garlanded
with the rich red autumn leaves. The last
agonizing farewells were made, but All
deck was absent. With piteous eyes No
komis looked around for him. but he was
gone, and with breaking heart she step
ped into the frail boat, which was decked
with the gayest flowers that could be
found-the hapless victim of an ignorant
superstition. The priest of the tribe drew
his knife and cut the rope that held the
canoe to the shore, and slowly, but with
gathering speed, it launched out into the
current OF the rapidly flowing stream The
people gazed,
But see! Another canoe mas thrust out
from the bank, impelied bya vigorous arm
1t Ia Ahdeck. The elders gaze anXiously
Is he about to rescue herY Then would
they fear the wrath OF the malevolentspirlt!
But such is not his purpose. Swiftly he
overtakes the canoe in which the unhappy
girl Is kneeling. With cry OF JOY she wei
comes him as he steps into her canoe, and
hand clasped in hand they hoat down the
river, cheerfully acquiescing III the fate that
permits them to die together. Swiftly and
full fall-one sudden swoop, and 1t Is overl