The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-12-15

be forever true to one another.
Then every night. before the rising
of the moon, Oklawaha and Winonah
met in the dark shadows, beneath the
sheltering oak. Wildly happy We're
they, in their lovers oblivion, until
there came fatal day. This night,
Ocklawaha waited long and patiently
for Winonah. After many weary
hours had passed, Winonah, slipping
| noiselessly through the forest shad-
ows, cast herself into her lovers
arms. Then she, whispering told him
that they were being secretly watch
ed by Hiatiqui, the medicine man.
An important man was Hiatiqui in
the village of the Ocalas. He cured
the sick and healed the wounded with
his herbs, and was the leader in all
religious ceremonies. He might east
ly be distinguished by his grave AMI
solemn countenance and dignifed
step, as he strolled about the village,
singing to himself, songs or hymns n
a low sweet voice. But keen were
| his eyes as the eyes of Ya-chi-la-ne,
the eagle, and his heart was cunning
and cruel as the heart of Chitta, the
snake
Swiftly, Winonah related her dis
covery to Ocklawaha, and he, taking
her in his arms, soothed her and sub
dued her fears. Then they planned
, to escape on the following night to
the peace town of the Chattahooch-
ees.. This night had been set apart
by the warriors for the ceremony Of
moon worship, and at the signal from
Ocklawaha, Winonah was to slip
away from the worshippers and meet
him beneath their trysting oak. He
was now loath to leave her, but IS
it was very late, he held her close for
a moment, then sprang into his canoe
and disappeared into the darkness,
Winonah slipped back into the village
and spent long and sleepless night,
praying to the Great Spirit to watch
over them and deliver them from
danger.
The following night found a strange
scene within the pallisade of the vii
lage. In the center of the enclosure,
a short distance from the dwelling of
the chef, the warriors squatted in a
circle upon the ground BY the dim
light of the rising moon their faces,
bedaubed with war paint, appeared
fierce and grotesque in strange con-
trast to the soft, gentle faces of the
women, in the background. When the
moon appeared above the tree tops,
Hiatiqui rose and standing in the Gen.
ter of the groupe with his face
towards the sacred orb, began an ut
terance of the most hideous noises,
which echoed and reachoed through
out the silent forest. Then he acted
as mad man for fully the space of
a half hour, while the remainder of
the men looked on with stolid, express
sionless faces and the women thrilled
with pride and reverence at the re-
ligion of their men. Winonah, alone,
was inattentative. Suddenly at .hel
signal of Suwannee, the warriors
sprang from the ground and danced
around circle, uttering the noises Of
various animals. Amidst the din
there came from away in the forest
the cry of Huppe, the great owl, and
Winonah slipped silently from the
group of onlookers, unseen by any
eyes except those of the watchful
Haitiqui. A few moments later there
came a louder boot, and Hiatiqui
abruptly paused in his demonstrations
and listened. Loud mumurs of dissent
rose from the warriors and Suwan-
nee, voicing their resentment, spoke
TO Hiatiqui:
Hast my brother mistaken theI
boot of Huppe for the war cry of the
enemy?" he asked gravely.
Nay, not mistaken" answered the
priest. Unless Ocklawaha, son OF
Olustee, has taken to himself the
form of the great OWL"
why dost my brother speak thus?''
questioned the chief.
why dost Winonah absent herself
from our sacred ceremony at the cry
of Huppe?" returned Hiatiqui.
"Winonahi" called Suwannee, turn
ing towords the group of wondering
women. "Winonah, come, my little
one"
But no answer came to him, for
Winonah had gone. Then there arose
from the warriors terrible cry of
revenge.
Meanwhile Winonah speed with fast
beating heart towards her lover
Trembling violently, she flung herself
into his arms. but when he would
have fondled her, she drew away and,
taking his hand, pressed him to hast