The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-09-06

transformed by the wicked magic OF
the witch. he would still recognize hc-
voice. When the two finally reached
the neighborhoOd where the witch had
previously been seen Turtle Dove
climbed into 4 tree and cried aloud
most mournfully, while Eagle, from
another tree, keenly watched the cf-
feet on Sage Cock, who Immediately
recognized the voice and cried repeat
edly to the witch: Il hear my mother.
l hear my mother"
But the witch only laughed and told
him to hide in the stomach of noun
tain sheep which was lying near, a tro-
ply of the boy-mans skill with the
bow and arrow. Obedient Sage Cock
crawled into the sheep, so the legend
goes, and the old witch followed him.
Turtle and Eagle We're puzzled at the
sudden disappearance of the two, but
had no thought Of investigating the in
terror workings Of the dead mountain
sheep. and were more wretched in
their disappointment than at any time
since the long search began. They
wandered aimlessly about for several
days, when Eagle decided that the
missing pair. and particularly Sage
Cock. who was half a baby, would
soon be so hungry they would have to
come out of their hiding for food. He
killed a rabit and hung it at the Top
of small pine tree, peeled*the tree of
it's bark and. limbs, that it might be
next to impossible to climb it, and
then from the branch Of great tama-
rack he watched developments.
1t was but few hours .before the
witch appeared, as Eagle had expected.
And when she saw the rabbit, which
was the nearest food at hand, she be-
gan awkwardly climbing the tree. So
slow was she that Eagle, who had seen
her emerge from the sheep. had time
to pull Sage Cock out. Of the sleeps
paunch and carry him Off, while the
witch was grunting and hugging the
tree, her eyes fixed on the rabbit above.
Eagle carried his prize to the same
spot under the sage bush from which
Sage Cock was stolen, and so soon as
Sage Cock, now man, touched the
earth he was instantly transformed
into the same baby he had been when
he had disappeared.
AS. Eagles tracks were washed out
by transforms. when the witch discov-
cred her loss she was unable to trace
him. But she saw some. feathers
which she knew were Eagles, and at
once OWNED what had happened.
She decided to 60 TO her. grand
father. rattlesnake, for protection
and for his aid in avenging herself.
The venerable reptile, Rattlesnake.
with whom she was by no means pop
ular, was browsing in glare of sun
shine, on q big fiat rock, and, vexed
that she had awakened him, he told
her roughly. Go away. don't want
to see YOU"
But as she stood there pleading
Eagle appeared. She was badly fright
ened; but as she did not lose her wits
when Rattleshake; cried, Hide, hide"
she jumped right into. the old fellows
mouth and slid down to his middle,
which gave old Rattlesnakc such 4
pain that he begged the witch to crawl
out, and when she refused. in his par
oxysms of anguish he slipped out Of
his skin. leaving the witch within IT.
When Eagle called out, Where are
you, old witch?" in n threatening tone
she answered him derisirely from her
peculiar quarters, mocking what he
had said. AS she. feared no disturb
ance in such an abode, she has lived
there ever since. and glorying in her
seclusion her voice. is often heard. al
ways deriGing and mocking people,
Sioux City Journal.