Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1922-08-24
AhOlaha
A LITTLE MARYLAND CAPTIVE
An Historical Romance Of the Pioneer History of
Western Maryland
"You take good care" rejoined Ia
ou-chi, satisfied that the soldiers had
not taken away the captives

not taken away the captives
Some days later the chiefs and war;
rors who had gone to Kaskasking, and
also to the Great, Council at Easton,
Pa, where treaty was made with
them and other chiefs-one of the con-
ditions of which was that they should
give up all the white captives still
held by them-returned to the village.
A great feast was made in honor of
their arrival, at which the captives
whom they had sent for, were invited
to be present. The trader also was in
vited and went to the village with his
guests, thinking perhaps he might per-
suade the chiefs to let them spend the
winter with him. A large wigwam
had been constructed, and in this the
chiefs and warriors, all in full dress,
but without war paint, assembled with
their invited guests. The squaws had
roasted and boiled a quantity of bears
meat and venison, with various prepa-
rations of maize, and all the favorite
viands appropriate for such a special
occasion.
All sat in silence while the orna-
mented calumet was passed around,
each of the captives also taking one
whiff. The head-chief, or Sachem, O.
pecanough, then arose in all his dig
nifty, wearing a beautiful head-dress
of eagles feathers, with a plume of
the same reaching almost to his feet,
a robe or blanket thrown over his left
shoulder and brought around under
his right arm, leaving it free and dis
playing the silver bracelet and armlet
upon it. Silver earrings, collar or
necklace of bears claws, prettily
embroidered tunic or shirt, feather
decked leggings and embroidered moe
casins completed his snowy attire.
For a moment he stood in silence,
while all eyes were fastened on him,
and then began to speak slowly and
impressively, telling his hearers of the
journey to Easton, and the Great
Council which they had attended. and
+ of the treaty made with the white
people, to whom they had agreed to
deliver all the pale-face captives still
held by them. He declared that peace
was now established, the war hatchet
was buried, and there should be no
more war-parties of whites or Indians
! His speech was received with the US
ual expressions of applause, as also
those of the other chiefs who followed
him, after which the feasting began
and continued until all the food had
been consumed. The usual dance fol-
lowed accompanied by the beating of
the tom-tom and rafting of the tor
toiso shell containing small pebbles,
after which the assemblage assumed 2
more social character. Tobacco pouch
es, neatly made by the squaws of the
skin Of a young beaver, otter OF fox,
and ornamented with beads or coral
are produced, pipes are lighted, and al!
take part in discussing various mat
ters, the chiefs and warriors who had
attended the Great Council at EastoD
narrating Incidents connected with
Their journey and the Council, some OF
which occasion considerable amuse-
meat. There is also talk about the
autumn hunt, which has been neces-
sarily postponed, but on which they
agree to start as soon as possible.
Seeing that "fire-water" is being
passed around, and knowing to what
oycesses it is often the prelude, the
trader obtained permission from the
Sachem, who shares the general good
humor of the, occasion, to withdraw
with ,captives to his post. Before
they leave the Sachem and two minor
chiefs approach the captives and ask
them whether they want to go to their
own people, to which they all give a
glad affirmative reply. Marie looks
so pleased that the Sachem says to he-
"You not want stay here?"
"You are good to us" she answered
"but YOU know we would like to see
our people just like you would like to
see yours if you had been so long a
way"
eyes, we take you back" he said
kindly, "after we hunt"
"I think we can wait" she rejoincd
eff you don't. forget" at which they
all laughed heartily.
'Vell, Marie" said the trader as
they were returning to the post, "now
you will soon go far away and forget
us all, en-"
"Oh no, Mr.. Volange," she replied
1--WE never will forget you, indeed we
won't"
"No indedd," added Mrs. Robinson,
1--WE shall never forget how kind you
have been to US, and we shall hope to