The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-26
THE RED SCOURGE.

On the shores of the great inland sea-,
Lake Superior, there lived many years
ago tall fearless Indian and his wife.
They had one son, about Is years old,
who had listened to so 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 sigh:
"Ah! my son, had hoped it would
be your mission to kill Hah- Undo-Tah,
and thus rid our tribe of powerful en-
envy. The 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- Unlo-Tah, or the
Red Sorcerer, a powerful chief living
on an island out in the big water, and
who sailed 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 IA
ther, and this filled him with new am
bition. But how could he, boy afraid
to go TO the river in the dark, hope to
do this great deed?
All night he sat thinking about it,
the taunts of his parents ranking in his
breast. At day break he started west
ward, taking only his bow and arrows,
with which he supplied himself with
food. On the third 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 their differ
ent notes.
When the old witch entered the lodge,
Odshedoph crept nearer. She took off
her cloak, fringed with the scalps of
women, and when she shook it the
scalps uttered shouts of laughter. Cd
shedoph was now peering In at the door,
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 him
she had watched him ever since he left
his fathers lodge. After she had given
him supper and he had told her how he
came to leave home, she said:
Were you really afraid to go to the
river in the dark"
Eyes, was, J." answered Odshedoph.
At this the old witch shook her staff
and cloak, and the birds and the scalps
made a horrible din.
Are you afraid now?" asked the
witch.
Eyes, l am" replied the boy, but
not so much as l was of the dark
"Why?" asked the old woman very
sharply.
Because know you will not let
anything hurt me-" Odshedoph answer
ed.
Again the old woman shook her staff
and cloak, but the birds notes were all
in accord, and the laughter was like
music.
You will do" said the witch, 'for
you are very brave"
"Brave!" echoed the boy in astonish-
nent.
Yes, said the witch, smiling and
nodding her head many times, "the
bravest of the brave, for you have the
courage to tell the truth. 1t is written
that you are to Stay that monster, Hah-
Undo-Tah, and, l am to help you, so
keep up your courage"
But the STRIPPING heart began to fail
him as the old woman began her prep
arations.
First she applied magic comb to
his hair, which caused it to grow long,
like girls. Then she dressed him In
beautiful clothes, such as a princess of
his tribe might wear, and painted his
face in most bewitching manner.
When the young man looked at his
image in the lake near by, he was so
charmed that he nearly fell in love with
himself, like Narcissus of old.
His friend now gave him bowl of