The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1906-02-02


A few lingering sunbeams played at
hide and seek among the shapely
sweetgums and danced merrily over
the sleepy waters Of Amaskohegan
lake. The air was redolent with per-
fsme from the pure white chalices Of
nagnolia blooms, while soft sea
sreezes toyed with the long gray moss
which hung gracefully from the arom-
at1c pines. under which stood Tecum-
Nh. stalwart young Indian. and Min
nshaha, beautiful maiden with soft
bsown eyes and dark shining tresses.
Earnest and lover-like were his ac-
cents, as in Longfellow's beautiful le-
s0d-
- Looking at fair Laughing Water,
Sang he softly, sang in this wise;
Thou the wild flower of the forest!
Thou the wild bird of the prairie!
Thou with eyes so soft and fawn-
like!
II thou only lookest at me
] am happy, / am happy
As the lilies of the prairie.
Does not all the blood within me
Lean to meet thee, leap to meet thee.
AS the spring to meet the sunshine
In the moon when nights are bright
estf
When thou smilest, my beloved.
Then my troubled heart is brighten
ed
AS In sunshine CLEAN the ripples
That the cold wind makes in rivers"
Yet his pleadings awakened no res
pensive chord In the heart of the fair
Annnehaha, for
: "She was thinking OF a hunter
From another tribe and country;
Young and tall and very handsome,
Who, one morning in the springtime.
Come to buy her fathers arrows;
Sat and rested in the wigwam,
fingered long about the doorway,
Looking backward as he departed"
Only a few short weeks ago had
ysang George ,Brownsloe, the son of
q British officer. come to the little In
akan village where Tall Chief Amasko-
began lived with his only daughter,
Akinnehaha.
In a few of her rambles had the
maiden met him. returning to the wig
wan alone, fearing lest her father in
a ut of rage. would threaten the life
bravely against him in the Seminole
war And this is the reason why the
ardent young Tecumah begged in vain
Der the hand OF her who had long since
been promised to him by her haugh-
~ father. the wealthiest Indian in all
the country.
Not only was Tecumah surpris-
% and disappointed at her cold refu-
sal OF his offer, but he was angered as
well. and although he had never. per-
saps. read the old adage-
Faint heart never won fair lady"
yet he purposed in his heart to per-
ssst in his devotions, and win her at
any cost.
Nature had lavished her gifts upon
Lake Amaskohegan (meaning moon
seams). Smiles fingered in each sill
yer ripplet and kissed its pebbly shore.
Upon its banks grew wild oranges in
sreat profusion. and here and there
amid great masses of fragrant spider
o. umbrella lilies rested an Indian
canoe. Upon its smooth beach the
lazy alligator basked in the Florida
sunshine. Myriads of fishes sported
In and out among the water lilies in
search OF prey.
But the point de resistance in all
mis- scenery was a high bluff on the
east shore of the lake, upon which
Drew magnificent water oak, leaning
mr. out over the precipice and mirrow-
ing itself in the CLASSY waters below.
Here the tourist would always pause
and the artist gaze with admiring eyes.
Here in the long days of summer
and the sunshiny days of winter Min
Hehaha loved to go, and it was here
few days after our story begins that
she was aroused from fairy dreamland
~ the approach of the young man TO
whom she had surrendered the Gus
sody of her heart. He was fair. with
a sOldierly appearance, blue eyes, no.
bic forehead and a firm chin. with a
mouth which betokened great earnest
sess of purpose. Quite a contrast
made he to the maiden at whose feet
he sat, describing his home in ''The
Green Mountain State" to which he
would soon return.
II could not leave without seeing
you again, for you must know ere this
taat love you too dearly to leave you
here. for although peace is declared,
yet some Of the tribes are hostile.
Leave them. Minnehaha, and go with
ne to my home as my bride. and we
will ever after happy be-"
Not word from the maiden, yet he
read something in her face which en-
couraged him.
-And he woed her with caressea.