The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-12-04
LEGEND OF THE HoBoMAK.
An Indian Maidcn's Death and the Fat,
of Her Murderer.

Many are the interesting Indian legends
told in connection with the early settlement
of Westboro, Mass. One of the best is the
legend of the "lIobomak,' which was the
name given by the Indians to Hochomocko,
pond in the western part OF the town.
1t seems that a tribe of Indians had its
encampment on the banks Of the pond.
The beauty Of the tribe was the maiden
Iano, who was engaged to marry the chief,
hassacus. She had had several suitors, hut
the chief had been the successful one.
1t was her wedding night, and the wed
ding party had assembled Iano, in a spirit
of mischief, had ventured to play a joke on
the chief, and so had wandered away from
the encampment. A warrior by the name
of Wequoash had gone hunting in the aft
ernoou, DESTROYS of appearing at the we'd
ding with some large game to show his
bravery and skill. On what is now Boston
hill he found cave in which panther
was hiding Killing the animal, he started
for the wedding.
On the way home he happened to pass
near the pond, and looking out from the
shore he saw canoe Wequoash was not
long in deciding that the canoe contained
the Indian girl, lanu. He had himself been
a suitor for the girls hand, and thinking
only of revenge he plunged into the water,
and with few strokes he was at the bow
OF the boat. Then Selling the unsuspecting
maiden he pulled her down into the water.
Then, putting large stone into the canoe
to sink it, he took his game and started
homeward.
A party headed by Sassacus had already
gone in search of Iano After two days
Weauoash appeared in camp and was re
IA / ~
death, he appeared to be broken hearted,
The chief had fallen sick, and Wequoash
tried to console him. Looking for still
greater revenge he gave the chief poison
and Sassacus soon after died. Wequoash
now became the chief and was very pop
ular because Of his bravery in war.
A year after these events had takeI
place Wequoash happened to be returning
from hunting expedition and had seated
himself near the spot where a year befor,
he had murdered lauo.
As he sat there flame streamed up from
the water, and a canoe arose and foateC
toward him. Unable to resist, he entered
the canoe and was carried toward tn
fame The form of the murdered Indian
girl appeared. Then, uttering a piercin!
shrek, it vanished from sight.
Exactly one year afterward the same per
Torrance again took place, and the spirit
on disappearing beneath the waves, said T.
the chief, "Only once more
When another yearhad passed, Wequoas
assembled his tribe near the spot where Ii
had committed the murder and confeSse,
that he had killed both Gano and Sassacus
He told them of his two adventures in tn
canoe and Of the fate which awaited him.
Presently flame arose from the water
canoe appeared and came toward tn
shore The warriors saw their chief ente
it and 20 toward the flame Instead o
the spirit of lano, Wequoash this time saw
the spirit of Sassacus.
This is my hour the spirit said.
a dark cloud fell over the place, a deaf
euing peal of thunder, a flash Of lightning
and tine chief was seen no more.
Ever aftcrward when members of tn,
tribe crossed Hobomak pond they alway'
dropped stone in the fatal spot, till at
last the pile arose above the water. 1t has
since fallen partly away, but even now may
be seen when the surface is tranquil
Boston Globe.