The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-11
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 16 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 Il sigh:
"Ah! my son, had hoped it would
be your mission to kill Hah- Undo-Tah,
and thus rid our tribe of Il 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- Undo-Tah. or the
on an island out III the big water. and
who sailed forth ut times on murderous
expeditions, To the terror of the north
crn tribes. The boy knew that who
ever should lid the earth of this mon
stcr would he made the greatest living
chief. He had never heard before of
the prediction Just repeated by his ia
Their, and this filled him with new am
bition. But how could he. IL hoy 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. Al dlyhrc3!l lie started west
ward, taking only his bow and arrows,
with which he supplied himself with
food. On tho third night lust us he
had laid down TO rest, he heard rum
bling noise and looking about saw smoke
issuing from II hollow near Ivy. Going
hastily toward it. he SAW an Indian
lodge in the door of which stood IN old
woman whom Odshedoph recognized as
the old woman who makes war
From time to time she struck her
staff upon tie ground. and this had
caused the noise he heard. The staff
was ornamcntcd 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 crcl:t nearer She took oft
her cloak. fringcd with the scalps OF
women. and when she shook it the
| scalpS uttered shouts of laughter. Cd
| shcdoph was now pccrinS III at the door,
when the Old woman turned suddenly
upon him. He was too much fright
cned To run, even when she approached
him and laid ii hand OH 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
Yes, | WIS answered Odshcdoph.
At this the old witch Shook her staff
and cloak, and the birds and the scalps
made Il horrible din.
Arc you afraid now asked the
witch.
YES, l am, - replied the boy, "but
not So much as | 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
i'll accord, and the laughter was like
music.
You will do, +" said the witch, "for
you are very brave.
Bravc!' echoed tho boy in astonish-
ment.
Yes, said the witch, smiling and
holding her head many times, "thc
bravcst of the brave, for you have the
courage to tell the truth. 1t is written
that yon 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 a magic comb to
his hair, which caused it to grow long,
like girls. Then she dressed him in
beautiful clothes, such as princess of
his tribe might wear, and painted his
face in most bcwitching manner.
When the young man looked at his
| image in the lake near by, he wac SO