The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-09-19
4 LEGEND OF
 THE COLORADO
tOrlginall

marvellous Dr0NtfyB Nudl uie NMA e-N nelrhborlng tribes attributed to him supcrhuman powers. Ills son, Rain- bow. Inherited much of his fathers manly beauty and courage. and when the father became too old tO lead fin war he summoned bis people and rep resentatlves of the neighbOring tribes to witness the ceremony of bis abdica- ton in favor of the younger man. When all were assembled. Sunface. the father. addressed his son. admonlshing him Co rule wisely, then eOunseled the visiting chiefs Co keep the peace. end Ing by placing In the young mans hand a spear which the old chief had carried for many years,
 One Of the chiefs present had brought hls daughter. Singing Water, to wit ness the ceremony. Rainbow saw her and loved her. Singing Water saw the young chief and loved him. Be fore the maiden returned with her fa- ther to her country Rainbow had asked for her hand. but she had been prom ised Co another. Snake-ln- Ills Hole.
 Singing Water had no sooner de- parted than Rainbow fell into melan- choly. His father. seeing that Rain- bow would be useless as a ruler with out the maiden. proposed that they should go together Co her father and endeavOr Co secure her In marriage. They made the journey. crossing the Colorado. and appeared before the chief. He did not dare grant their re- quest for fear Ot antagonlzing Snake in-His-uoic. Having met with a polite refusal. they started. with heavy hearts, on their return journey. On the way they saw Singing Water sit- ting on rock waiting Co bid adieu to the man she loved Rainbow rode up Co the rock. which was Co the height of his pony's back. Singing Water put her arms about him and whispered in his ear. "Take me with you" Placing her before him on the horse. he gave the word he used only when be wished the beast Co go at full speed. and before thc few people standing about had realized what he was doing Rainbow, with h.s burden. was going like the wind. Surface followed. calling on his son Co halt
 Snakc-lu-His Hole. seeing that some thing was am.ss. rode Co where the maiden had been captured and. learn ing what had taken place, dashed after the fugitiycs. calling at the same time Co other warriors to follow him. Sun face when he overlook his son chided him for what he had done. saying that this was a rash act with which to be- gin his rule.
 It seemed Co Che lovers that the old man spoke rashly. for the Colorado lay between them and safety. and its crossing was a slow process. Before they could descend a thousand feet to their boat their pursuers would be up- on them. and when they climbed the opposite cl.H they would be within easy reach of arrows.
 When they arrived at the river, Sun face bade his son return to him the spear which he had surrendered and begin the descent Co the river with the maiden. The young man gave up the spear and led Singing Water down the trail. When the pursuers came up. they found the old chief sitting on his horse In the bed of a shallow stream flowing between two rocks which be could touch with either hand and tow ering far above him.
 The Indians had SO long been used to considering Sunface as superhuman that the awe inspiring sight of the old man sitting on his horse, rigid, bis spear poised, his eyes fixed upon their leader brought them Co a sudden halt. Snake in-Hls- Hole himself. though brave and angered at the abduction of the maid en, recoilcd.
 stand aside, old man" he cried eve respect you for your past deeds and your age and would not harm you"
 Sunface answered never a word, sit ting dxedly. staring before him without moving his eyes from the speaker.
 "He Is the god of the pass!' cried one. "No man can go between tho rocks while he IS there. He can cal the lightning from heaven to aid him.
 aHe is mortal" said Snake-in-His Hole. and be hurled his spear at Sun face but superstition diverted hii aim. and the weapon rebOunded iron the rock at the right Seizing another spear, Snake-in-His-Hole hurled 4 again. only to strike the rock on th' left Then the warriors drew on anC watched the man they took for a go< from a distance. Evening came, anG stiIl he moved not. Night came, and bl the light of the full rising moon thel saw the agure stin sitting between th' rocks bis eyes open and the reflection Of the moon in the water striking uDoI his glittering orbs.
 When midnight came. they said tha no mortal could hold a spear poised s' long. surely not an old man. When th, paie face of the moon looked at then from the west. growing more and nor ashen before the break of day, and th old chief stil sat with his arm raised one by one the people before him fel on their faces. When the sun chase away the shadows and the grim hgur stood out more clearly, Snake-h-His Hole was emboldened to ride forward Drawing near, ho leaned forward an