Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-29
L a m O
Az INDIAN LEGEND ny D. II. TRIP.

On the banks OF the Missouri.
When the grass was growing green:
Camped a dusky maid. Lemori.
Who was fair as GYPSY queen.
she was a brav cheiftain's daughter.
Who had now grown old and gray:
Many were the braves who sought her.
Decked In paint and feathers gay.
There was one Blackwell. who sought her
With zeal that knew no rest;
She had oft refused his offer.
But he still his wooing pressed.
She was now betrothed TO G~rayswan.
And when frost shall brown the plain.
She viii 20 to keep his wigwam,
Lighthis fire and dress his game.
When the waning shadows gather.
And the stars peep from the sky,
Blackwell gay In paint and feather
Sought the love OF Lemori.
When lie came intShe wigwam,
Thinking her alone to see:
Seated by her side was Grayswan.
With her head pom his knee.
Jealous hate took full possession
or his heart. and turning round.
Burning with an evil passion,
Left the tent and camping ground.
Soon on leetness pony riding.
swift as swallows skim the lake:
Westward DER the plain he's gliding.
To the land Of Spottedsnake.
Moons have passed. the autumn hunting
Now engage the hunters art;
That fbnra ~, u ha nothing wanting.
Through the winter cold and dark.
irayswan with the other hunters.
Lea We the camp at break OF day:
Ger the plain each pony centers:
Hearts are light and spirits gay.
To the hunting ground far westward.
Where the foothills bound the plain:
On the vast expanse OF green sward.
They will hunt the noble game.
Antelope and deer are plenty.
Buffalo In herds abound:
| Here they camp and place a sentry.
Who will watch their hunting ground
To the camp on the Missouri.
Grayswan's thoughts would often stray.
Where his own. his loved Lemori,
Waited for their wedding day.
And Lemori looking westward.
Saw or fancied that She did.
Grayswan swiftly riding eastward
On his pony. Katydid.
Oft Lemori gathered berries.
Growing by the lake or streams:
Or the purple sweet choke cherries.
Blushing In the autumn shean.
One bright morning. to the bottom.
Where the trees were growing gray,
In the golden tints of autumn.
Light OF heart she took her way.
Seated in a wild wood bower,
That In autumn glory burned
Dreaming Of the happy hour.
When Grayswan to her re turned.
Lost to all around. her spirit
Wrapped In meditation sweet.
Woke from bliss. too late to flee 1t,
Flee the snare spread for her feet.
III a thunder bolt had fallen
At her feet. no more surprise
Could have seized her. so appalling,
Was the slight that met her yes.
There IN all his paint and feathers.
Blackwolf stood with flaming eyes;
As a storm cloud when 1t gathers.
Fills with darkness all the skies.
Like a dove. a hawk had stricken
Powerless to cry or fly:
By some some evil spirit smitten
Dumb with fear, sat Lemori.
Useless would have been her pleading:
For the band OF Spottedsnake
Gathered round her. little needing
How her heart might bleed or break.
Quick they passed the thongs around her.
To q pony she was tied:
Blackwolf took his place beside her,
Swiftly to the west they ride.
6
Not q word Lemori utters:
Grief has paralyzed her tongue:
Silent as q ghost in letters.
BY his side she rode along.
When the sun had sought concealment
In the western hills among:
They have reached Blackwolf's
And their journey now is done.
BY a tribal law. Lemorl
Now must dress the vension
or her captor. little glory
Could there he in such a sin.
With a 50 wage triumph cleaning
From his eyes. he took her and.
Lead her. but she walked as dreaming
or some fair and distant land.
Needing not the words he uttered.
Needing not the way she went,
Faltered not. nc words she uttered.
AS he led her to his tent.
When he sought her warm embraces.
To her heart she plunged n knife:
AS her form to him he presses.
Ger him gushed her ebbing life.
Then a shrek broke on the stiffness
or the dark and starless night:
Maidens voice. with piercing shrlllness.
AS II seized with awful fright.
And II wall of dying anguish
From her lips burst full and clear:
None who heard that vail, can Danish
From their minds its awful fear.