The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1896-09-18
When sinks the sun beneath tn. weste

rays;
Then, music rises from the bsyou's sides
Weird, ghostly notes no human voice coul
raise.
"Mysterious Musc"--so tia STYLED
By those who vArxLY hope to find its cause;
Fen learned scientists are oft beguiied
To try and solve II BY Dame Natures laws.
About this "music" many a legends told
Of times (hsfoEs the white mans hated sway
When lord OF xELh saw, the warrior bold,
Hunted aud fshed, or slept the time away.
Around these waters--so the story gocs,-
Dwelt The strong tribe Of Pascagoula braves
To their allies loyal, feared BY their foes;
Where once they fshed are now their water,
graves!
THEN! TnE STORY or THE LEGEND.
There, on the highest point-their viilag.
stands,
Along the tapping waters at its feet
Before the lake-behind-the wooded land.
And round about the growing corn stalk,
sweet.
The breeze stirs with its golden load the maze
Some youth to pierce the swaying ears at.
tempt;
And strut, il but they hit at slightest praise
From some old brave--or flush at his contempt
See yonder warrior in his light "dug-out,"
How swift he skins the surface of the waves
Now pulling from the depths some noble trout
Or drawing bvaves from the oceans caves;
Full laden, all, the hunters soon appear
With venison juicy and other smaller game,
Which quick in roasting for the evenings cheer
Watched by the squaws before the ruddy fame.
The sun has sought his rest: gone is the day;
Above, the moon sits on her azure throne
And gentle sleep holds undisputed sway,
Save where yon loving couple stroll alone.
The head chiefs son, Olustee, strong and
sturdy set
Mions's sire rules a neighboring vale,--
Where he,whilst hunting near, his fate had met ;
And they had loved at isight---ihe old sweet tae
She told him how her father had decreed
Biloxi's chief, Otango, she must wed
And that unless, she now were quickly freed
To his detested wigwam she'd be led.
Olustee plead "then, come and be my bride
And from this hateful yoke thou shalt be free;
AYES, il YOU love but me'-Miona sighed:
"l'll straightway follow and ne'er forsake
thee!
So, to the Pascagoulas banks he led her;
Coosa, his sire, struck with her many charms
Gladly consented that he might wed her,
And left them happy in each others arms!
In truth, to see her is q pleasant sight,
Her rich blood throbs meath olive skin so tender;
Black eyes. like sloes, that CLEAN in every light
With figure graceful, 1.-the and slender.
Happy they wander on the shell-strewn beach
of the looked-for joys tomorrow
When, hand in hand-Lovcr's goal they hope
to reach;
Vain hopes-alas!-bu doomed to sorrow!
For, at that moment near Bloxi's Bay
Some thousand warriors fercely stand
Full armed and anxious for the fray
And, in their war canoes, quick leave the land.
For when Otango heard that she had fled
"By the Great Spirit" then he loudly swore
That this most willful maid he yet would wed,
Or, failing that, he would return no more!
While they, unconscious Of their coming fate
Pledge those fond vows--which bind them ever,
There lingering in the silent night till late
Then, parting, bid farewell to joy forever!
The dawn is near; calmly the village rests;
No dreams Of danger disturb its slunbers,--
Or thoughts Of creeping foes, who prone on
breasts
With craftiest stealth approach in numbers.
And now, with war -whoops wild doth ring the
night,
When many braves are slaughtered where
they lie,
While, others wake, and strive to join the fight
And vainly struggle but, alas!-- to die!
But those who mauage to escape the foc
Surround their chief, aud rush into the fray,
And labor bravely there, for veal or woe,
To stem the ebbing fortunes Of the day!
Fierce doth rage the unequal fght--now one,
Now other gains the advantage slight;
But, numbers tell,-alas! It's nearly done,
And naught seems left the gallant braves but
flight!
The tired foes rest for another blow;
How ghastly in the early light Of morn
The wounded look, by fever stricken low;
With ashen lips and bodies racked and torn!
Near BY the lake The Pascagoulas rest,
Where its cool waters their burning thirst can
slake!
0lustee rises--on his head a crest
OF noble eagle feathers, thus he spake:--
80! braves, now listen unto me! Ny act,
Alone, has brought this threatened fate!
Revenge on me is all our foes exact,
Surrender me before it be too late!'
Forth strobe an ancient brave and this he said:
"Oiustee! For many years thy sire ruled
The fortunes Of this trbe and now he's dead
Thou art our chief,-for which thou long vert
schooled!
"Dost think we'd give thee up thus meanly
To fierce Otango's wrath? Not 81!
Rather that 'twould BE- more seemly
To plunge beneath these waters here below.
For thnuoh vv stre wcnk enai we still cnn Hght.