Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-05
TIE LEGEND OF y A. ', o.s.'
-. PALOUSE FALLS.
BY A. |. Van osdeI

ing &C their native village the squaws
and the old men would mock them
and deny them the title of braves of
they brought not the scalp Of White.
Crane. They therefore left fifteen of
their bravest warriors to murder him
upon his return to the village. But
the brave chief had learned of the
coming of the invadere and taking a
new route he reached a secluded
spot from which e viewed the desolate
and illfated village, which was
smouldering in ruins. Though alone,
he vowed vengence upon his perse-
cutors. Life had lost all its charms
to him. Waiting until the twilight
thickened into darkness he left his
place Of hiding and crept stealthily
along until he gained position near
the smouldering campfires of the hat
ed foes. Soon the twang of his bow
string was heard and three unerring
arrows were sent into a vital spot
in three of his mortal enemies. Dur
ing the excitement caused by the out
cries Of the dying braves, White
Crane mounted fleet footed mus
tang and was soon beyon the reach
of pursuit.
Knowing well that his enemies
were thirsting for his blood, he
thought it prudent to hide for a
while until they took their depart
ure; when he could come forth again
and lay deep and hopeful plans for
further retaliation and revenge. Dis
mounting he turned to the hills to
secrete himself. With his faithful
bow and his unerring arrows, he
moved cautiously along, using the
most careful precaution to conceal
his trail by walking. in the bed of q
running stream until he came to the
ledge of hard rock that could Lot
leave even the most tndistinct traces
of human footsteps. The chief foi-
lowed it. 1t led between two lofty
hills becoming every moment more
narrow. At length he reached tits
termination and came out of the: de-
file on the opposite side of the lake
from where we are sitting. a sight
burst upon White Cranes VISION
which even at that desolate moment
made his heart leap with gratitude
and unmistakable emotions of JOY.
He was within the precincts of the
sacred pinnacle. At his feet lay the
lovely valley Of the lake surrounded
with its impossible walls of rock save
where he stood "A smooth lawn Of
green sward ran down from the crest
of the rock to the lake, while nuEer-
GUS springs, sparkling in the moon
beams, trick1ed into the bosom OF
the transparent reservoir. Small
groves dotted the scene, with prom
Used refreshing shelter and album
dance of game. The chief walked
slowly down to the banks of the
lake. It was teeming with fish. In
tracing his steps toward the south
he passed beneath the towering pin
enacles Of the rock near the whi:l-
pool and there discovered that
small outlet Of water flowed beneath
an overhanging arch into the cavern
from the agitated waters of the lake.
while at a distance the dull roar of
rushing waters was heard. But no.
where did the restless eye Of White
Crane detect the slightest evidence
to prove that mortal man had ever
trod the spot before. Again smiles
Of satisfaction lit up the face Of the
warrior, as he determined to take
up his abode there for q while and
battle his enemies until he could
reach his friends on Snake river. And
then? His dark eve was g1ittering
with deadly meaning-he was think
ing of the fifty reeking scalps of his
followers and kindred that were
hanging up in the lodges of his hat
ed enemies land he was planning a
terrible revenge. Secreting himself
under an overhanging ledge Of rock
he was soon sleeping soundIy beneath
the clear canopy of an overarching
starlit sky. On the following morn
ing his first care was to manufacture
traps and fishing tackle to capture
both fish and game. Then laying
aside his bow and arrows he passed
out under the overhanging arch to
explore the outlet to the lake, whose
high, rough and precipitous banks
forbade any other mode for exit.
Wading along in the water for some
distance, he plunged beneath the sir
face and soon came to a point where
the overhanging of the arch grew
higher and the light OF day penetrat-
ed from the further side. He swan
down the stream, his watchful eve
scanning every gap and assure In
the rocks, until he felt the current
becoming more rapid Coming out
he made for the bank Of the stream.
and clammoring among pointed rocks