The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-08
LEGEND cF TIE 2cAEcEC.
Mes: Interesting 70 re Counties
Al,-g This River.
Patron aud Gienner.

Patron aud Gieaner.
When the ~hip- OF SIT Wa!;er Rs.-
eigh sn5er the command II Anata-
and Barlowe. first touche,. he coast of
North Carolina. TIC Roanoke river Wa
called by the natives "Moratoc.
How long il retained the name or
when il was changed 10 Roaaot, We
have no authentic his,or,. ~ Hank-.
in his history Of North Carolina, -Iys
there Was somewhere within the pres
ent limits OF Bertie county an In
dian town called "OEanoak." and here,
we -rgcest. We have probably the orr
Gin Of the name row applied - the
river, which bordering B.rtie on the
West and South, ompties into Alhc-
marie. We call it Roanoke, an easy
corruption from "Okanoak
! But there is still existing an old In
dian legend handed down TO US, through
the mists of many generations, long
since passed away. in which another
version of its change OF name is given.
..Once upon time" so says the le-
gend, there was a chieftain Of the Tus
carOra Indians, who by some means,
came in possession Of beautiful roam
horse, noted for its strength, docility
and wonderful power of endurance, one
that had never failed to respond to any
call made upon him, however difficult.
In fact, he was counterpart of old
Mazeppa's noble steed, that after
dread Pultowa's day" bore the old
chief in safety from the field.
"But he was hardy as his lord,
And little cared for bed and hoard
Whate'er was to be done, would do,
Obeyed his voice and came to call,
And knew him in the midst OF all,
| Though thousands were around, and
night,
Without a star pursued her flight,
That steed from sunset until dawn
His chief would follow like fawn
Byron.
Having occasion to cross the MoratOc
on business connected with the welfare
Of his tribe. the chief chose the roam to
bear him on his journey. Arriving at
the bank of the river, he was surprised
to find it a raging torrent, full to oyer
flowing from the recent heavy rains
above. He calmly surveyed the rush
ing waters. unmoved by the dangerous
outlook before him and without an
atom Of fear, to which his heart was Il
stranger, made preparation to ross.
Gathering the reins OF his bride with
a firm hand he gently pressed tie tanks
of his noble roam with his moccaslned
heel the horse, which had never yet
fipched from any task, however dan
gerous and difficult it might be, with a
heart as fearless as his rider, did not
hesitate a moment, but boldly made
the desperate plunge in the mass OF
seething waters For an instant or so,
If seemed as if both horse and rider had
been engulfed, never TO rise again, but
soon coming to the surface, with ex-
handed chest and dilated nostrils, he
calmly breasted the foaming waves and
made for the opposite shore. Inch 10y
inch he gallantly fought his fearful
way. and seemed to exult that he hac
at last found AN opportunity OF show
, inp his chief the matchless power o
his indomitable courage After man.
sturdy stroke he drew near the shore
only to meet deeper and swifter cur
rent one that would call forth all hi
strength, and try to the uttermost tina
mower of endurance which had neve
vet been equaled. The chief seein
that he was being slowly borne dow
the stream by the strong force OF tn
current patted bis name and spoke ger
tie words of cheer to encourage him !
this hour of trial. The noble anlmf
in the agony of his desperate struggle
for life. understood the kind intention
Of its rider, and realizing at last his pc
lions condition he redoubled his eflor
70 reach the sh )re, only to be baifie
bv the treacherous current.
'e On and on. despite his strength an
IL all the energies Of his nature. he W;
carried down, until drifting with II
current. he was borne near the sho
L. ad ooroht in TIE limbs Of an OAK, th