Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-03-29
Thus. the spirit OF Lemori
Broke her captors hateful grasp.
Broken hearted. brave Lemorl.
To the spirit land had passed.
LAMoRI AVENGED.

LAMOKl ENGED.
Would you learn OF G~rayswan's vengeance.
And his anguish deep and strongi
Read this strange. but fitting sequence,
Legendized In sayage song.
When Grayswan came with the others
From their hunting in the west:
! Waiting loved ones round them gather.
But she came not with the rest.
| When he called her name. Lemori:
Every face betrayed the pain
| That they felt to tell the story
OF her wrong. and grief and shame.
| Then they tell the shameful story.
How the band of spottedsnake.
| Came and took away Lemori.
While alone out by the lake.
/ Blackwol led the band that found her,
And like vultures from the sky
Seized her. held her fast and bound her
TO a pony standing by.
Then they mount and ride with swiftneSs,
Blackwell riding by her side:
Soon they vanish in the distances:
Better far that she had died.
Every word was like an arrow
Driven to his very heart:
Who can tell the depth OF sorrow,
When from loved ones thus to part?
Grayswan heard their words In silence.
Turned and walked 10 Katydid:
on his strength was his reliance.
To avenge this cursed deed.
Moved his lariet. and pinned ii,
Where the grass was sweet and good:
| TI,a,, Y,rarVn rod liS 10 r,t,,r pt1t-Gt.
Filled a pouch with ready food.
When the morning sun was streaking
Red and blue the eastern sky:
Grayswan rode away. ne'er speaking
To the others a good bye.
Westward DER the plain that stretches
Far toward the setting sun.
Swift he rides. until he c atches
sight of camp on distant dun.
Then he halted in the shelter
or some willows by u stream:
Fastened Katydid's long tether.
Where he could not well be seen.
Hidden in the grass. he waited
Like a tiger for his prey:
Hoping that the one he hated,
BY some chance would pass that way.
But instead a maiden slowly
Came along the river bank:
Grayswan stepped before her boldly:
With surprise from him she shrnnk.
Grayswan spoke. | would not brighten
Wildiower-I am in distress:
You may all my burdens tighten.
And my fainting spirit bless.
Then he told her all his sorrow:
Who had stolen Lemori:
That by scalping knife or arrow.
Blackwell or himself must die.
When he spoke the names. Lemori
And Blackwolf. her cheeks grew pale:
Then III tears She told the story.
OF Lemori's dying wall.
Grayswan heard with wild emotion,
Dumb with grief and with surprise:
With his hand he made u motion.
Lifting it toward the skies.
Thus. his savage oath recorded.
Written on the arching sky:
He who had Lemori murdered.
BY this hand must surely die.
Wildfiower caught his hand and held 1t.
While she too an oath affirmed:
Blackwell won her heart and broke it.
Now her heart with vengeance burned.
] will aid YOU. though a stranger
And / know not whence you are:
I'll entice him.. and deliver
Blackwell to vengeance there.
When tomorrow's sun is bathing
Hilltops in a fiery glow.
And you see this red scarf waving.
Quick to where it's waving go.
Blackwell will my love be wooing:
You must strike him to the ground.
He who seeks q maiden's ruin.
Should with thongs of hide be bound.
At the time and place OF meeting.
Grayswan saw the signa red:
Like q hunter that was seeking
Some rare game. with care he tread.
kneeling at her feet he found him.
Quick as lightning falls the blows:
Strong the thongs with which they bind h
Wrongs like theirs no mercy know.
He was only stunned. bewildered.
BY the blow Grayswan had dealt:
She had well her plans considered
Savage heart what JOY she felt.
To n place more wild and lonely,
Blackwell helplessly was lead:
No one. the Great Spirit only
Knows what savage vengeance did.
But his naked bones hung swaying.-
CHASTITY sight devoid OF flesh:
Every bone a knife cut showing.
Told OF many IA cruel cash.
Sav a vengeance has no limit,
TIL its victim feels no pain:
Human life is not infinite.
Death was then to Blackwell gain.
"Blackwolf's band will soon discover.
Where he gasped his dying breath:
They Will know it was Wildiiower.
Who enticed him to his death.
.All their vengeance will be meeted
To me. when his bones are found"
This she told him there seated.
BY each other on the ground.
4 n - A. N..A-