Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-07-03
A LEGEND.


brave and warlike race, and dwelling In a
deer and other animals, by the chase OF
which they chiefly subsisted. and possess
ing other advantages by their proximity TO
the lakes they were perhaps the most pow
srful of the tribes into which their nation
was divided. They were noted for the
courage and skill Of their "braves," a. the
young warriors were oalled, and they were
no less famous for the beauty and modesty
of their maidens. The fame also of theiI
wise men-elders of the tribs-had spread
through the land, and many another t1b>
envied them their firm and gentle govern
anoe.
Among the young men Of the tribe none
was more highly esteemed by It's 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 q 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 Gtohe Manito
(the Great Spirit) called away the old chief
TO the happy hunting grounds he would
leave q capable successor behind him.
But II Ahdeck was the leader Of the
young braves, among the maidens no su-
perior was acknowledged to Nokomis.
1.-the and agile as the mountain deer, her
eountenance, to use AN Indian metaphor,
was like the full moon. Among the youth
Of the opposite sex q smile or q 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
had fallen o victim to the innocent wiles Of
the w1nsome Nokomis And who could
hope to successfully compete with Ahdecki
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 Q young brave was heartsick foi
love Of the dark trossed Nokomis.
Now the time came round when a 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 veneration
for the spirit of the falls And 1t had been
declared by an ancient wise man that only
30 long as an awful annual tribute was paid
would the powerful spirit continue to pro
tect them. Therefore 1t was the custom an
nually for the maidens Of the tribe to draw
lots, and the chosen one, seated In q canoe
gayly bedecked with fruit and flowers,
hoated down the river to meet certain de
struction at the falls. As this festival drew
nigh anxious depression filed the mind OF
Nokomis.
Every year a. long a. she could remem
Der a young and innocent maiden had been
sacrificed In this manner. What II she
drew the fatal LOTT 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 of 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 siokened with
anguish at the thought Of the possible end
to his hopes, and he formed the stern reso
luton that II Nokomts died 1t should not be
alone
The fatal day drew rapidly nearer. Al
last It arrived. The maidens of the tribe
werc gathered around Nokomis weeping,
for, alas, the lot had been taken, ,-and the
beloved Of Ahdeck was to diel Not to No
komis had Ahdeck breathed word Of his
resolve. And to neither Of them had the
thought Of flight suggested itself, or, If it
had, only to 10 instantly dismissed as un
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. To their
simple minds any deviation would have
afx-ia ND l,Io
ruin, for the whole tribe It was q splendid
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, 1t launched out into the
current Of the rapidly flowing stream The
people gazed.
But seei Another canoe has thrust out
from the bank, impelled by vigorous arm.
It - Ahdeck. The elders gaze anxiously
Is he about to rescue herr Then would
they fear the wrath of the malevolent spirit
But such Is not his purpose. Swiftly he
overtakes the canoe In which the unhappy
girl Is kneeling. With q cry Of Joy she well
comes him az he steps into her canoe, and
h. hand clasped in hand they float down the
river, cheerfully acquiescing In the fate that
permits them to die together. Swiftly and
yet more swiftly they approach the fright
full fall-one sudden swoop, and 1t is overl
The awestruck spectators peer fearfully
into the deep, dark pool beneath. For a
minute the mingled tresses Of the devoted
pair are seen to dance on the white foam
and then disappear forever.
1t Is not easy to describe the effect of the
tragedy. Accustomed to the yearly tribute,
the tribe had callously grown Indifferent to
the suffering involved. But now the blank
left by the death Of Ahdeck and his bride
made indifference impossible. Before the
next festival came around the camp was
moved, and for many years the falls were
avoided. When they finally returned, the
custom was never renewed. Not In vain
had the lovers died.
Indian lovers, however, wandered on the
river banks as before and talked of the un-
happy fate of Ahdeck and Nokomis, and
olancino timidlv an thu do.n hl,.a Al Lv al,ova