The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-01-08
THE RED SCOURGE.

On the shores of the great inland sea,
Lake Superior, there lived many years
ago a tall. fearless Indian and his wife.
They had one son, about Is 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-U ndo-Tah,
and thus rid our tribe of a powerful en-
any,. The wise men have said this
would be done by n of our family,
but either they have failed in their
prophecies or it will not come to pass
for another generation.
O~dshedoph had heard much OF the
evil wrought by Hail. ndo-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
bition. But how could he, a boy afraid
to 90 to the river in the dark, hope to
do this great deed?
All night he sat thinking about 1t,
the taunts of his parents ranking in his
breast. At daybreak he started west
ward, taking only his bow and arrows,
with which he supplied himself with
food. On the third night, just az he
had laid down to rest, he heard a rlm-
bling noise and looking about saw smoke
issuing from a hollow neal by. Gdng
hastily toward it, he saw an Indian
lodge in the door of which stood anpld
, woman whom Odshedoph recognized as
> the old woman who makes war.
: From time to time she struckher
9 staff upon the ground, and this lad
: caused the noise he heard. The shf
= was ornamented with the heads of bitis,
and every time she struck the efth
with it the birds sounded their di1er-
emit notes. tfa~{ sf
When the old witch entered the loRe,
Odshedoph crept nearer. She tooHoff
, her cloak, fringed with the SCALP Of
women, and when she shook itfhe
scalps uttered shouts of laughter. Pd-
shedoph was now peering in at the dpr,
= when the old woman turned suddhly
upon him. He was too much friht-
= ened to run, even when she ~approated
!. him and laid a hand ON his shouldd
y Looking at him kindly, she told m
she had watched him eyer since habit
: his fathers lodge. After she had glen
him supper and he had told her hfJhe
came to leave home, she said:
"Were you really afraid to go Hhe
river in the dark
Yves. I was, ; answ cred Odsheph.
At this the old witch shook ha 4aff
and cloak, and the birsis and thettlps
made a horrible din.
Are you afraid now:" aslA 1.-THE
witch. y
re les, ! hAu, ACpAHN thO coa
not so much as / was ct the DARK
,es Why" asked the old wom' very
W. sharply. ..
Because / know you will t let
ar anything hurt me" Odshedoph swer-
cit ed.
in Again the old woSaan shook staff
and cloak, but the birds notes re all
in accord. and the laughter Y like
music.
.You will dc" " said the wit for
In you are very brave
icil .Brave!'' echoed the boy in snisA-
sas- ment.
are .Yes, "said the witch, smik and
are nodding her head many tim 1.-THE
ave bravest Of the brave, for you ~ the
idi- courage to tell the truth. 1t Ifitten
neil that you are to slay that monst Hah-
'rge Undo-Tah, AMI / am to helpu, so
keep up your courage"
But the str1pling's heart begto TAIL
=, him as the old woman began prep
= arations.
First she applied a magicanb TO
his hair, which ca lsed it to q long,
like o girls. Then she dsesseim in
rus. beautifnfselothes, such as a press OF
= " his tribe might wear, and pad his
lMe, face In a most bewitching mar.
When the young man looat his
!" image the lake near by. vas 20