The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-09-04
LEGEND OF THE AoBoNAR.
An Indian Maiden's Death and the Fats
~ cd. OF Her Murderer.

An Indian Maiden's Death and the FatS'
- .'a Of Her Murderer.
Many are the interesting Indian legends
told in connection with theearly settlement
of Westboro, Mass. One of the best is the
legend of the "Hobomak, /" which was the
name given by the Indians to Hochomocko,
a pond in the western part of the town.
1t seems that a tribe of Indians had its
encampment on the banks of the pond.
The beauty of the tribe was the maiden
Iano, who was engaged to marry the chief,
Sassacus. She had had several suitors, but
the chief had been the successful one.
1t was her wedding night, and the wed
ding party had assembled. Iano, in spirit
of mischief, had ventured to play joke on
the chief and so had wandered away from
the encampment. A warrior by the name
of Wequoash had gone hunting in the aft
ernoon, DESTROYS of appearing at the we'd
ding with some large game to show his
bravery and skill. On what is now Boston
hill be found cave in which a panther
was hiding. Killing the animal, he started
for the wedding.
On the way home he happened TO pass
near the pond, and looking out from the
shore he saw canoe. Wequoash was not
long in deciding that the canoe contained
the Indian girl, Iano. He had himself been
suitor for the girls hand, and thinking
emily of revenge he plunged into the water,
and with few strokes he was at the bow
of the boat. Then Selling the unsuspecting
maiden he pulled her down into the water.
Then, putting large stone into the canoe
to sink it, he took his game and started
homeward.
A party headed by Sassacus had already
gone in search of Iano. After two days
Wequoash appeared in camp and was re-
ceived with rejoicing. Learning of Iano's
death, he appeared to be broken hearted.
The chief had fallen sick, and Wequoasb
tried to console him. Looking for still
greater revenge, he gave the chief poison,
and Sassacus soon after died. WequoasE
now became the chief and was very pop
ular because of his bravery in war.
A year after these events had takeI
place Wequoash happened to be returning
from hunting expedition and had seated
himself near the spot where year before
he had murdered Iano.
AS he sat there flame streamed up from
the water, and a canoe arose and floated
toward him. Unable to resist, he entered
the canoe and was carried toward the
fame. The form of the murdered Indian
girl dppedreu. lneu, uGuerlnp piercing
shrek, it vanished from sight
Exactly one year afterward the same per-
Torrance again took place, and the spirit,
ON disappearing beneath the waves, said to
the chief, "Only once more"
When another year had passed, Wequoash
assembled his tribe near the spot where he
had committed the murder and confessed
that he had killed both Iano and Sassacus
He told them of his two adventures in the
canoe and of the fate which awaited him.
Presently fame arose from the water,
a canoe appeared and came toward the
shore. The warriors saw their chief enter
it and go toward the flame. Instead of
the spirit of Iano, Wequoash this time saw
the spirit of Sassacus.
This is my hour" the spirit said.
A dark cloud fell over the place, deaf
ening peal of thunder, flash of lightning,
and the chief was seen no more.
Ever afterward when members of the
tribe crossed Hobomak pond they always
, dropped a stone in the fatal spot, till at
last the pile arose above the water. 1t has
since fallen partly away, but even now may
be seen when the surface is tranquil
Boston Globe.