"O nymph, with loosely flowing hair,
With buskined leg, and bosom bare,
Thy waist with myrtle girdle bound,
Thy brow with Indian feathers crowned,
Waving in thy snowy hand
An all-commanding magic wand
Of power, to bid fresh gardens blow,
Mid cheerless Lapland's barren snow!"
JOSEPH WARTON.
Bernard and his sister, on their arrival, found only Mr. Armstrong
and his daughter, but were joined, in the course of the evening, by
Pownal, at whose arrival all expressed pleasure. The whole company
united with Miss Armstrong in requesting Bernard to read the legend,
who, at last, produced the manuscript from his pocket.
"I must entreat your indulgence," he said, "for the defects of which
the piece is full. The author is an inexperienced writer, and
unable, like an accomplished hand, to atone by elegance of style for
improbability or poverty of incident. You will expect no more than
that he should observe the proprieties of his subject, nor require him
to introduce into a tale of the children of Nature the refinement
of language or delicacy of sentiment, to be met with in the modern
romance. The stories of an uncivilized people must be rude, even
approaching in simplicity tales designed for children."
"The writer could not have an audience more ready to be pleased," said
Mr. Armstrong; "and are we not all children of various growths?"
"I do not believe any excuses are necessary," said Faith, "and am
expecting a great deal of pleasure."
"The more extravagant, the better," cried Anne. "What can equal the
Arabian Nights Entertainment?"
"We are all attention," said Pownal; "so whistle your apprehensions,
Bernard, to the wind."
Thus encouraged, the young man opened his manuscript, and commenced
reading.
THE LEGEND OF MAGISAUNIKWA AND LEELINAU.
Where the clear Sakimau mingles its waters with the great salt lake,
which would be too salt, but for the innumerable rivers that pour
themselves into its bosom, the mighty Aishkwagon-ai-bee, whose name,
rendered into the language of the pale faces, is the 'Feather of
Honor,' had erected his lodge. He was the war-chief of a tribe whose
name is lost in the mists of antiquity. He boasted his descent from
the great Ojeeg, of whom it is related that he opened a hole in the
blue sky and let out the soft, warm air of Paradise, so that it
poured down upon the earth, and bestowed summer upon a region before
condemned to perpetual cold. He also liberated the singing-birds
from the mocucks, or basket-cages, where they were confined, which,
descending through the aperture, have since enlivened the woods and
fields with their melodies. He was unable to return to this world, and
may still be seen in the heavens, being changed into the stars called
Ojeeg Annung, known to the wise men among the pale faces as the
Constellation of the Plough.
Nor was Aishkwagon-ai-bee unworthy of his noble descent. The grandeur
of his thoughts and the boldness of his achievements proved the
purity of his blood. A skillful hunter, a successful warrior, equally
renowned for wisdom in council and bravery in action, he enjoyed the
highest consideration, not only in his own tribe, but as far as the
great lakes to the North, and the river Delaware to the South. When he
pointed to the beautiful scalps that adorned the sides of his wigwam,
he could with truth say, there was not one of them but had graced the
head of a warrior.
The Sachem had several children, sons and daughters, and among the
latter, the lovely Leelinau was the darling of his heart. The maiden
had attained the age of eighteen, and was the admiration of the youth
for many days' journey round. Her cheeks were the color of the
wild honey-suckle, her lips like strawberries, and the juice of the
milk-weed was not whiter than her teeth. Her form was lith as the
willow, her eyes sparkled like the morning star, her step was that of
a bounding fawn, and her fingers were skilful in weaving the quills of
the porcupine. What wonder if hearts both young and old beat quicker
at her approach?
Many, it may well be supposed, were the offers of marriage made to the
beautiful Leelinau. Innumerable were the legs of venison, and
choice pieces of bear's meat, which the mothers of the young hunters
presented for acceptance at her lodge, being careful to mention whose
skill in the chase procured them, but in vain did they look for the
bowl of succatash or embroidered moccasins--the products of woman's
labor--in token that their gifts were pleasing to the coy beauty.
In vain, when the shades of evening fell, the softly breathed flute
lamented in melancholy tones her cruelty. In vain, with tasteful
hand, the sighing lover painted his face and person to heighten his
attractions and draw attention. The insensible Leelinau relished not
the venison or bear's meat, nor would she listen to the flute, or look
often at the painted suitors.
Among her admirers none was more deeply smitten by the power of her
charms nor cherished a truer love than Magisaunikwa or Wampum-hair,
so called from the gentleness of his disposition and love of peace.
He was only a few years the senior of the maiden, and of an obscure
family compared with that of the famous Aishkwagon-ai-bee. But love
levels all distinctions, and, impelled by an influence he could not
withstand, he dared to aspire to the hand of Leelinau. Besides, there
was one superiority he enjoyed which made the claim less presumptuous.
Young as he was no hunter of the tribe could be compared with him in
skill or daring. Other lodges might be destitute, but there was always
abundance of meat in that of Magisaunikwa and those of his friends.
Happy, thought most of the girls, would she be who should lie in the
bosom of the young hunter, and cook his food.
But notwithstanding his devotion, Leelinau would not accept his gifts.
Still he fancied he had made some impression. She would listen to
his conversation by the light of the evening star, though whenever he
hinted at his passion, she would hastily retire; and twice or
thrice he had caught her eyes fixed on him, when she thought herself
unobserved. Hope lives on scanty aliment, and the young man did not
despair.
Aishkwagon-ai-bee had noticed the liking of Magisaunikwa for his
daughter, and was not displeased. The noble youth had found favor in
his eyes, and he did not disdain his alliance. There was only a single
cause of hesitation in his mind. Wampum-hair had never been on a
war-path, and had always shown a disinclination to shed human blood.
Yet his courage was undoubted. None encountered with more audacity the
panther and the bear, and several were the lives he had saved at the
hazard of his own. A successful war expedition only was necessary to
complete his claims to the highest honors. Save the bloody scalp, no
ornament was lacking in his wigwam.
"Magisaunikwa," said the Sachem, "the fire of your eyes melts not the
snow around the heart of Leelinau, and it is because she looks upon
your hands and sees they were never painted with the blood of an
enemy."
"Can Leelinau be happier." asked the young hunter, "because another is
made miserable? Were I to kill a warrior for her sake, would not her
dreams be disturbed by the groans of his mother?"
The eyes of the Sachem flashed when he heard such language.
"Go," he said, "if thou art a dove, seek not to mate with the hawk."
But the resolution of Wampum-hair was not to be shaken by threats or
reproaches, nor weakened by the seductions of love. In the long and
final fast which revealed to him his guardian spirit, twelve days
with unshaken fortitude, to the wonder of the tribe, had he remained
without food before the vision came. He then beheld a child white as
the water-lily leading a little animal unknown to the country. It was
the size of the beaver, and covered all over with long white hair
that curled closely to its body. Its eyes were mild and sweet, and the
expression of its face gentler than anything ever seen on earth.
The child laid his hand on the heart of the fainting youth, and an
influence soft as the breath of the south wind streamed through his
frame, and he was strengthened, and stood upon his feet and partook
of food. Since then the war-song had been hateful to the ears of
Wampum-hair, and he loathed the vauntings of the braves. He preached
peace to his people, and endeavored to convince them of the folly of
killing their fellow men. But prejudices old as the mountains were not
to be removed by the exhortations or arguments of an obscure youth;
and although the old men listened, and some few approved, yet the
young men scoffed and burned to distinguish themselves after the
manner of their ancestors. It was fortunate for the young man that
opportunities had occurred to test his courage, and that he had never
hesitated when others flinched. His tribe therefore ascribed his
conduct to no want of bravery, but to a delusion sent by his guardian
genius. Hence, though his influence was impaired, it was not entirely
destroyed.
Thus things continued for some time, till one day the Sachem again
addressed Wampum-hair.
"Does the heart of Magisaunikwa still beat softly, like the heart of a
deer!"
"It beats like a man's," said the young hunter, "and not like that of
a vile wild beast. The Indian should imitate the Good Spirit in his
actions, and not destroy his brothers and sisters"
"Yes," said the Sachem, "his heart is a man's, though it is soft. Does
Wampum-hair still love Leelinau?"
"The breath of Thequan is not more welcome to the wood-flower which it
wakes up to life, or the song of the bird dearer to its mate, than the
sight of Leelinau to Magisaunikwa."
"What would Wampum-hair do to obtain her love?"
"He would climb the sky, or dive to the bottom of the salt lake; all
that the Great Spirit could ask would he do."
"A chief cannot compel the affection of his daughter, but he can
give his own consent, and the young bird listens to the voice of its
parent."
"Let the great chief say what he would have, and the arm of
Wampum-hair shall be strong to do his will. For the sake of Leelinau
he would please her father."
The Sachem paused, and gazed with pleasure on the kindling features
of the young man. He was a wise chief, and desired the good of his
people. In those days the panthers, driven from the north by a severe
winter, infested the country in great numbers, and threatened to
destroy the game, on which the Indians depended for subsistence.
Although many had been killed, there still remained enough to ravage
the land and do serious injury; and they had become so cunning by
being frequently hunted that they almost uniformly succeeded in
eluding the chase. It would be a public service, though a difficult
undertaking, to exterminate the ravenous animals. He therefore said:--
"Let Magisaunikwa bring me a conaus made of the scalps of panthers,
and another for Leelinau, and he shall have the strong word of a chief
to whisper commendations of the hunter in the ears of the maiden."
"It is well. The words of the great chief are pleasant, and my ears
drink them up as the thirsty sand the drops of rain. The feet of
Wampum-hair are swift; his arrows are true, and they shall pierce the
screaming panther."
That same day, so eager was the young hunter to commence the chase, he
started for those parts of the forest where the game was most likely
to be found. Many were the beasts destroyed by him, so that a little
child might wander in security ten days' journey, in every direction,
from the lodge of the Sachem, and narrow were the escapes from death
of the intrepid hunter, and yet scarcely scalps enough were obtained
to make a conaus or wrapper for the sloping shoulders of Leelinau. In
vain, the enamored youth extended his hunt still further, even twenty
days' journey from his starting point. Only at long intervals was a
beast discovered, but, finally, not one was to be found, and the youth
awoke to the conviction that he had been made a dupe to the cunning of
the Sachem.
After a fruitless chase he was musing one day sorrowfully over his
disappointed hopes, ashamed to go back to his village, to which he
had never returned without success before, when, suddenly, a man of
majestic presence stood before him. His nose was like the beak of an
eagle, and his eyes resembled fires in a dark night. Strange feathers,
of brilliant colors, were woven into his scalp-lock; a magnificent
robe of skins depended from his shoulders; and in his hand he held a
long spear, tipped with a pointed stone.
"My brother is sad," he said. "Let my brother give me the half of his
grief to bear."
Thus exhorted, Magisaunikwa disclosed the cause of his dejection to
his sympathizing friend.
"Is that all?" said the stranger. "Return, and thou shalt find the
conaus in thy lodge, and when thou beholdest them, remember they are
the gift of Manabozho. I am Manabozho."
He spoke, and before the astonished hunter had time to thank him,
vanished from his sight. Then the young man knew that he had conversed
with the capricious Manito, and with full faith and light heart, he
directed his steps homeward.
He found the two conaus in his wigwam, according to the promise of the
Manito. One he presented to the chief, and the other he offered to the
maiden, but she refused to accept the tribute of his devotion.
The astonishment of Aishkwagon-ai-bee, and of the whole tribe, is not
to be conceived, and the fame of Wampum-hair mounted to the stars. The
truthful chief spoke earnestly to his daughter, of the merits of
her lover, and proposed him for her husband, but Leelinau showed the
strongest aversion to the union. The haughty maiden inherited the
fierce temper of her father, without his wisdom, and she looked with
contempt on all not distinguished by high descent or bloody deeds,
nor in her soaring pride was there one of the young men of the tribe
worthy of her hand. Not that there were not youthful warriors who
could point to the evidences of their prowess, and whose names were
familiar to the song, but in every instance the difficult beauty had
found some objection, and turned away her head. The truth is, the west
wind, that entices the flowers from the ground in spring, and leads
the bird to its mate, had never breathed upon the heart of Leelinau.
But the time finally came when the maiden was constrained to make a
choice. Her family had become impatient of delay, and Leelinau yielded
to their remonstrances. It was only in appearance, however, that she
acquiesced in the wishes of her relatives. She determined to propose,
as the price of her hand, some enterprise too difficult to be
accomplished. She represented to her father that lightly won, was
lightly prized, and that the daughter of a great chief like him, was
not to be wooed like other maidens, and obtained from him, to whom her
voice was sweeter than the notes of the mocking-bird, his consent to
her scheme.
The conditions on which Leelinau consented to follow a husband to his
lodge were soon known. Only him would she acknowledge for her lord,
who should guide his canoe in safety from the head of the Falls of
the Yaupáae to the little islands below. The old men shook their heads
when they heard the terms, and the squaws said, her heart must be made
of stone, but the young men felt warm, and thought of trying their
fortunes.
The enterprise was more difficult than any Manabozho had undertaken.
When the river was low, it poured almost perpendicularly down, a
height of twenty feet, on rocks, thrusting sharp points into the air,
then bounded in sinuous windings through rifts and basins, made by the
constant beating of the water, and the attrition of stones, whirled
round in the cavities, to dash over a declivity of yet other rocks,
before it reached its calm welcome below. When swollen by rains the
rocks were all hidden, the perpendicular fall disappeared, it was as
if the Great Salt Lake were pouring down the side of the mountain,
and from top to bottom was all one vast mass of foam, lashing the
huge rock at the throat, around which the torrent turned with a sudden
bend. No canoe could live on such a cataract. It must be overturned
and engulfed long before reaching the bottom, or if those perils were,
by any wonderful chance, escaped, inevitable destruction awaited the
presumptuous adventurer, dashed against the rock at the bottom.
The lovers of Leelinau gazed at the Fall, but the more they considered
the less inclination they felt to encounter the danger. In a low stage
of the water the canoe would be overturned, and pierced by the sharp
rocks, while mangled limbs certainly, if not death, must be the doom
of the rash aspirant, and who would dare to brave the terrors of the
swollen river?
The eyes of Leelinau were bright, and her smile sweet, but there were
other maidens with bright eyes and sweet smiles, and less difficult to
please.
But not thus felt Magisaunikwa. The absorbing passion swallowed up
all considerations of prudence, and he resolved to undertake the
adventure. If he perished, the Great Spirit would be pleased with his
courage, and what was life without Leelinau? While thoughts like these
passed through his mind, he remembered Manabozho. He had assisted him
once, although in vain, why not a second time? He sought once more
the recesses of the forest, where he had met him, and called upon his
name, but no answer was returned. He kindled a fire and threw upon
it the fragrant tobacco, and called again, "Ho! Manabozho!" and the
majestic figure stood before him, but there was anger on his brow. To
his stern demand the hunter made known what had happened, and begged
his assistance. But the Manito showed no disposition to grant it. In
fact, the task was beyond his powers, but he was unwilling that it
should be known.
"Fool!" he said, "is a scornful squaw worth the hazard of death and
the shame that attends defeat? Seek thy lodge and blow away these
thoughts as the wind disperses the winged seeds of the stinging
nettle." It was evident Manabozho had never been in love, for then he
would not have thrown away his advice. He stayed not for a reply, but
with a gesture of disdain disappeared.
Wampum-hair sought his wigwam, melancholy but not discouraged. It
was, indeed, impossible to follow the counsel of the friendly Manito.
Sleeping or waking the image of Leelinau swam before his eyes, and
sometimes smiled as if to incite him to the enterprise.
He resolved to undertake a solemn fast. He therefore sought a retired
place and built a pointed lodge.
Six days and nights he fasted, lying on the ground, and on the seventh
day, at the rising of the sun, his guardian spirit, the child with
the white beaver, slowly descended from the sky. His face was kind and
gentle as at the first, but not as before did he lay his hand on the
heart of Wampum-hair. Now he pressed his palm upon the forehead of the
hunter, and strange thoughts and determinations, like rising storms,
passed through his mind: slowly, then, up through the pointed roof,
which opened for his passage, mounted the child till he disappeared in
the blue field.
Magisaunikwa arose from the ground, and a frown was upon his brow. He
ate and was refreshed, and returned to his lodge.
It was the last month of snows, and great rains had fallen, and the
torrents were shouting from the mountains, and the Yaupáae pouring out
a mightier flood than had ever been seen rushing through between
the cleft rocks. It was then Wampum-hair announced his intention to
undertake the adventure of the Falls, and invited the tribe to gather
together to witness its performance. It is said that the heart of
Leelinau, touched by so much constancy, was inclined to relent and
excuse her lover the terrible ordeal, but this is probably the dream
of some soft-hearted girl, and only indicates what she would have done
in like circumstances.
On the day selected, the tribe was collected at the outpouring of the
waters, to witness the achievement of Magisaunikwa, and lament his
death. In great numbers they lined the banks of the stream, seeking
those positions from which the best views could be obtained, while his
friends watched at the foot of the cataract in canoes to rescue the
body should it be thrown up by the raging water. Leelinau, too, was
there, unyielding, yet proud of a devotion unheard of in the annals
of her nation. She looked haughtily as on a spectacle devised in her
honor, of which she should be celebrated as the heroine, long after
her feet should have travelled the path that leads to the Spirit-land.
No regret for the destruction to which her lover was doomed appeared
to touch her heart, nor did pity moisten her eyes as she looked upon
the preparations for the sacrifice.
At length Magisaunikwa appeared, and never before had he attracted
such admiration. He moved like one returning from victory. No war
paint, such as warriors are accustomed to use when upon the war-path
in order to strike terror into the foe, or when commencing an
enterprise of great peril, stained his person. His dress was the
conaus of panther scalps, and he walked amid a company of young men of
his own age, above the tallest of whom he rose by a head.
Before commencing the adventure, he performed the customary ceremony
to propitiate the Great Spirit, pointing to the heavens, the earth,
and the four winds, and invoking with a loud voice the Master of Life
to smile upon the undertaking. This being done, he cast his eyes over
the assembled crowd, till they fell upon Leelinau. Long he gazed,
as if he desired to carry her image with him to the Spirit-land, nor
after that last look did he allow his glance to rest upon another
human being. Then, at a little distance above the head of the
cataract, he entered the canoe and grasped the paddle.
The motion of the frail bark was at first gentle, but only for a short
time: every moment its speed became accelerated, until, even before it
reached the plunge, it seemed to fly like the swallow. Calmly guiding
its fearful course sat the young man, his eyes fixed upon the narrow
opening between the rocks. And now the canoe is at the brink of the
Falls--it leaps like the salmon when he journeys up the stream--it is
gone!--the raging waters have devoured it--no, I see it again--the arm
of Magisaunikwa is strong, and the paddle unbroken. Help, Manito! he
is dashed against the rock at the throat--no, the canoe is whirled
round and darts away, and I behold it gliding with the youth over the
quiet water. The Great Spirit hath protected him.
A shout, rivalling the roar of the Falls, went up from the assembled
multitude, and they rose with songs such as welcome returned warriors
to greet the successful hero.
But Wampum-hair received their congratulations and their praises with
indifference. With eyes fixed on the ground, he suffered himself to be
borne in triumph to the spot, where, on a platform of rock, stood the
beautiful Leelinau. What were the thoughts that passed through her
mind? Was she proud of being the object of a love so true and daring,
or did she lament the necessity of accepting a lord? Wampum-hair
approached, and before his calm, sorrowing eyes, her own sunk to the
ground. Searching was his look, as if to descry the secrets of her
soul, and at last he spoke.
"Leelinau," he said, "the Great Spirit created thee loveliest among
the daughters of women; wherefore gave he thee not a heart?
"Leelinau, Wampum-hair will sigh no more for thee. Henceforth, thou
art to him only a flower or a painted bird.
"Leelinau, the waters of the Yaupáae have extinguished the fire that
burned here," and he laid his hand on his heart. He turned upon his
heel and left the assemblage.
Astonishment at the address of Magisaunikwa at first held all mute,
but presently a cry for revenge arose among the kinsmen of
the slighted maiden. But the commanding voice of the wise
Aishkwagon-ai-bee stilled the tumult.
"The blood of the mighty Ojeeg," he said, "cannot mingle with water.
The Great Spirit hath taken this way to release Leelinau from a
promise which He is displeased that she made."
Whatever might have been the vindictive feelings of the relations of
Leelinau, their resentment was never visited on the head of the young
hunter. Once, it is said, two brothers of the rejected maiden lay in
ambush to take his life; but as he passed unconsciously near them, and
the fatal arrows were drawn to the head against his bosom, Manabozho
appeared and forbade the deed.
Magisaunikwa continued to cherish through a long life his love of
peace. He obtained a great influence over his own and the neighboring
tribes, and succeeded in spreading widely his pacific views. At the
time of his death, which happened at an advanced age, the calumet
of peace was everywhere smoked among the northern tribes, and their
numbers had greatly increased. Wampum-hair was universally honored,
and regarded as the cause of this felicity. But no wife ever cooked
the venison in his lodge. With the dream of his youth vanished all
predilection for the softer sex. He had loved and been disappointed.
Where he expected to meet gentleness he had found pride. He looked for
the yielding willow, and behold the inflexible oak!
But in Leelinau also a revolution had been effected. Her whole being
was transformed. What devoted love that anticipated every wish was
incapable of accomplishing, indifference achieved. Her soul from that
moment flew on the wings of desire after Magisaunikwa. At first she
thought his conduct caused by some temporary pique or resentment, and
trusted to the power of her fascinations to restore him to her
nets. As time, however, wore on, her hopes became fainter, until the
terrible conviction settled like a night upon her soul, that she had
trifled with the noblest heart of her nation and driven it for ever
away. Then it was she felt the desolation no language can express. A
settled melancholy took possession of her. Her eyes lost their fire,
her lip its smile, and her voice the song. She would wander alone,
far away into the recesses of the forest, speaking to herself in
low tones, and weeping at the remembrance of happy days. Her health
declined rapidly until she became too weak to leave without assistance
the couch, where day after day reclined her fading form. One soft
summer morning she begged two of her mates to support her to the
rock, whence she beheld the exploit of Wampum-hair. She sank down, and
removing, with her wasted hand, the long hair that had fallen over
her eyes, gazed sadly on the foaming river. With a wistful look she
followed the course of the cataract from top to bottom, probably
recalling at the moment her lover's danger for her sake and her own
repented scorn, then heavily sighed, and leaning her head on the bosom
of one of her companions, expired.