The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-06

that stupendous cataract which, from the
beginning Of earth, had uplifted its thun-
derous diapason here in the savage will
derness-Ontoneagrea, object Of supersti-
tious awe among all the tribes
Time hung heavy on the hands Of the
savages. 1t was winter, and the parties
had all returned from the war trails The
mutterings arose yet more loudly among
families who had lost most heavily In
these western expeditions. The shrewd
mind of Teganisoris knew that some new
thing must be planned. He announced his
decision at his own village, after the tri-
umphal progress among the tribes had
at length been concluded.
"Since they have sent us no presents
said he, with that daring diplomacy which
made him a leader in red craftsmanship
'let those who stayed at home be given
some prisoner in pay for those Of their
people who have been killed. Moreover,
let us offer to the Great Spirit some sac
rifice in propitiation; since surely the
Great Spirit is offended" Such was the
conclusion of this head man Of the OnOn-
dagos, and fateful enough it was to the
prisoners.
The great gorge through which poured
the vast waters Of the northern
seas was a spot not always visited
by those passing up the Great Lakes for
the western stations, nor down the
lakes to the settlements Of the St. Law
l iASSA
around the great cataract, and the occa-
| sional cOureurS de bOis, or the passing
friars, or the adventurous merchants of
the lower settlements now and again left
that trail and came to look upon the tre-
mendOus scene Of the great falling of the
waters. Here where the tumult ascended
up to heaven, and where the white-blOwn
wreaths Of mist might indeed, even in an
imagination better than that of a savage,
have been construed into actual forms OF
spirits, the Indians had, from time i'm
memorial, made their offerings to the
genius of the cataract-strips Of rude
cloth, the skin Of the beaver and the otter
baskets woven of sweet grasses and' after
the advent of the white man, pieces OF
metal or strings of precious beads. Such
valued things as these were in rude
adoratio placed upon rocks or upl1fteo
; scaffolds near to the brink OF the abyss
This was the spot most commonly choser
by the medicine man in the pursuit or MI
| lamentations. tt was the hcurch, the W1lc
} and savage cathedral Of the red men.
Following now the command of thel1
chieftain, the Iroquois left their stationar!
lodges and moved in a body, pitching g
temporary camp at a spot not far from thu
, falls. Here, in a great council lodge, the
older men sat in deliberation for g. full
day and night. The dull drum sounded
continually, the council pipe went round
and the warriors beSOuSht the Spirits Il
!, give them knowledge. The savage hys
terra, little by little, yet steadily, aros'
higher and higher, until at length i
q reached tha point of frenzy where naugh
= could suffice save some terrible, some ire
Il mendous thing. .... ... ...- .-'
f Enforced spectators Of these curious an,
9 ominous ceremonies, the prisoners looke'
e on, wondering, imagining, hesitating an
e fearing. Monsieur said Pierre Noir
q turning at last to Law, lit grieves m
to speak, yet it's best for you to know
d the truth. 1t is to be you orMonsieur Penn
v broke They will not have me. They sa
n that it must be one of you two grea
: chiefs, for that you were brave, you
d hearts were strong, and that hence yo
: would find favor as the adopted child Q
e the Great Spirit who has been offended.
IS Law looked at Pembroke, and they bot
e regarded Mary Connynge and the babe
n ..At least" said Law, they spare th