The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-08-31
A SENECA'S
REVENG


On the shore of beautiful little
lake in one of the forests of west
ern New York, two centuries and a
half ago, two Indians were walking
back and forth in earnest acnversa-
ton. They were boys and had been
lifelong friends but one was Sc
neca, the other a Wyandot.
The Seneca was talking of the glory
of his tribe, the bravery Of the war
,riors and of their taking up the war
Ratchet against the Ottawas. BUT
the Wyandot did NIT hear him, he was
looking across the lake and his face
bore an expression that the Seneca
had never seen there before Finally
he spoke:
'Suscoochee, you are nearly man,
and the time has come when l should
be your friend no longer There
were: dsashed tears IN his eyes; his
hands grew COLI and his voice was
faint and hoarse.
listen Ten years ago two men
walked here-tere just where we are
walking now They had been friends
ever stAca they had been younger than
we. It was just this kind Of day.
all nature was at peace" He hesltat
ed, looked out across the lake, then
drew long breath and continued:
Yes, they were walking just as
we are now, when suddenly they
heard a shout, and turning saw two
men running toward them, one was
a Wyandot, the other a Seneca"
Suscoochee started, and turning
closely scrutinized his companions
face.
The Seneca was wounded, and the
Wyanaict was pursuing him. When
the Seneca reached the spot where
the two men stood he threw himself
at the feet Of one, and cried, Mercy.
Now the man at whose feet the Sc
neca, had begged for mercy was him
-a-a- Wgandot."
Again Suscoochee glanced at the
speaker, but he had turned away as
if he could met bring himself to say
more. Presently he faced his COM
pani0n.
THE Seneca" he continued, ana
his voice sounded far nff, refused to
give UP the man who lad sought his
protection when he found that he be-
longed to his own tribe, and demanded
what right Wyandot hal 10 his life.
The Wyandot replied that that was
Y7oaN5c OFF ip nd -fIlrn IN the
Seneca's friend. appealed to him as
Wyandot, to prevent the Seneca's in
reference. At this appeal the wy
andot's blood was on fire, and con-
fronting the friend of his childhood.
the brother with whom he had eaten
and slept, the hero of his boyhood,
the man whom ne had learned to
love and admire, he cried, angrily,
Give to the Wyaniot warrior his
enemy, that he may die the death of
a dog
" No, replied the Seneca. firmly,
'he has sought my protection and he
shall have it. At these words the
Wyandot raised his bow-and the
deed was done. That night two SEN
ecss were laid to rest and two Wy
andots went home satisfied in their
vengeance.
But before many suns had set one
Wyandot began to miss his Seneca
friend, and to think uron what he mad
done. He could net hold up his head
for sorrow"
. The young Wyando. trembled, he
was cold from hea! to foot, and yet
the perspiration rolled from his face.
He tried to say more, but his voice
had left him; he sat down on the
ground and looked up at the SKY. How
should he tell him, the boy who for
ten years had been his colstan- COM
panion,i with whom he had played,
and by whose side he had helped the
Senecas with their battles? Sus-
coochee would never again look at
him through the eyes of friend, but
II they ever met again they would
meet as enemies, one anxious to kill
the other.
But honor now forbade the friend
ship. He was no longer a child, and
his great ambition was TO become a
brave and respected warrior in the
wyandot nation. With this secret
upon his mind untold. he never could
become what he hoped.