Connecticut western news., 1894-03-15
THE RED SCOURGE.


 Lake Superior, there lived many years ago tall. fearless Indian and his wife They had one son, about 16 years old, who had listened to go many of the wild legends of the tribe that the de mon fear had taken firm hold of him.
 One dark night his father returned from the hunt. tired and thirsty. He asked Odshedoph, which was the sons name, and meant Strong Wishes, to go to the river for some water. The boy refused, saying he was afraid, and neither threats nor persuasion could move him from his resolution.
 At last the father said, with a sigh: "Ahl my son, had hoped it would be your mission to kill Hah- Undo-Tah, and thus rid our tribe of powerful en- emy. Tho wise men have said this would be done by one of our family, but either they have failed in their prophecies or it will not come to pass for another generation"
 Odshedoph had heard much of the evil wrought by Hah Undo-Tah, or the Red Sorcerer, powerful chief living on an island out in the big water, and who sallied forth at times on murderous expeditions, to the terror of the north ern tribes. The boy knew that who ever should rid the earth of this mon ster would be made the greatest living chief. He had never heard before of the prediction just repeated by his fla ther, and this filled him with new am- bltion. But how could he, boy afraid to go 10 the river in the dark, hope to do this great deed?
 All night he sat thinking about it, the taunts of hls parents rankling in his breast. At day break he started west with which he supplied himself with food. On the thlrd night, just as he had laid down to rest, he heard rum bling noise and looking about saw smoke issuing from hollow near by. Going hastily toward it, he saw an Indian lodge in the door of which stood an old |!woman whom Odshedoph recognized as the old woman who makes war. From time to time she struck her staff upon the ground, and this had caused the noise he heard. The staff was ornamented with the heads of birds, and every time she struck the earth | with it the birds sounded thelr differ | ent notes.
 When the old witch entered the lodge, Odshedoph crept nearer. She took of her cloak, fringed with the scalps of | women, and when she shook it the scalps uttered shouts of laughter. Od- | oh fy,o f1ka1 1<n,- when the old woman turned suddenly upon him. He was too much fright. ened to run, even when she approached him and laid hand on his shoulder. Looking at him kindly, she told hin she had watched him ever since he Jeff his fathers lodge. After she had giver him supper and he had told her how ht came to leave home, she said:
 Were you really afraid to go to tht river in the dark?"
 ''Yes, l was, answered Odshedoph. and cloak. and the birds and the scalp made horrible din.
 Are you afraid now?" asked tn,
 witch.
 "Yes, 1 am," replied the boy, "bu
 not SO much as was of the dark.
 "Why?" asked the old woman yer, sharply.
 Because 1 know you will not le
 anything hurt me" Odshedoph answer
 ed.
 Again the old woman shook her staf
 and cloak, but the birds notes were al in accord, and the laughter was hk ! music.
 You will do, ''said the witch, [" fo 7 l you are very brave"
 "Brave!" echoed the boy in astonish
 ment.
 "Yes," said the witch, smiling an ] holding her head many times, 'th
 bravest of the brave, for you have tn courage to tell the truth. It is writte that you are to slay that monster, Hah ! \ Undo-Tah, and 1 am to help you, 8 1 keep up your courage.
 But the str1pling' heart began to fai
 him as the old woman began her preI arations.
 i First she applied a magic comb
 his hair, which caused it to grow long like a girls. Then she dressed him i beautiful clothes, such as princess ( I his tribe might wear, and painted hi \ face in a most bewitching manner. < When the young man looked at hi i image in the lake near by, be wac z h charmed thai he nearly fell in love wi q himself, like Narcissus of old. ' His friend now gave him bowl \ shining metal and sharp blade , scented sword grass, that was thrust his girdle as modern belle might we
 favorite flower. Then came sor
 general instructions as to his condu
 in his assumed character. He was to go down to certain ps
 of the lake shore, whichswas in vie
 of the island where the Red Sorcei i lived, and drink out of the shining boy VI 1AfinS uA sha lnAaans weAtA thsA e,