A

0 0 1

2

4

7 i

8 i

9 !

7 I

THE LIBRARY

OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES

•:

Where the serried waves like chargers madly leaping

to the fray.

THE LEGEND

OF

THE WHITE CANOE

BY

WILLIAM TRUMBULL

WITH PHOTOGRAVURES FROM DESIGNS BY

F. V. Du MOND

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS

NEW YORK LONDON

27 WEST TWENTV-THIRD STREET 24 BEDFORD STREET, STRAND

3% Juticlurboeker |)rcss 1894

COPYRIGHT, 1893 BY

G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS

Electrotyped, Printed, and Bound by

c Tknicfeerbocber press, flew Jijorfe G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS

fs

353 1

DEDICATED

TO

A. L. T. T.

612826 Mttnr

Long before the solitudes of western New York were dis turbed by the advent of the white man, it was the custom of the Indian tribes to assemble occasionally at Niagara, and offer sacrifice to the Spirit of the Falls.

This sacrifice consisted of a white birch-bark canoe, which was sent over the terrible cliff, filled with ripe fruits and blooming flowers, and bearing the fairest girl in the tribe who had just attained the age of womanhood.

CONTENTS

PAGE

PROEM ... i

WENONAH ..... e

THE COUNCIL . . I^

KWASIXD ...... 29

THE SACRIFICE .... ™

EPILOGUE ...... 53

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE WHERE THE SERRIED WAVES LIKE CHARGERS MADLY LEAPING TO THE

FRAY, FLING ALOFT THEIR SNOWY CRESTS AND TOSS THEIR MANES OF FLYING

SPRAY. . . . Frontispiece

* * * AS OFTEN AS THEY LISTENED, ON THE VOICES OF THE FLOOD DEEP WERE BORNE THE SPIRIT'S MUTTERINGS, CALLING FIERCE

FOR HUMAN BLOOD. ... 2

AND THE MUSIC OF HER LAUGHTER, WHEN AMID THE JOYOUS THRONG, SHE, HAILED QUEEN BY ALL THE MAIDENS, LED WITH MERRIEST QUIP

AND SONG. ... 6

* * * GRAVE ATTENTION HOLDS THE BAND,

FOR THE MED'CINE-MAN is SPEAKING OF THE WANT THROUGHOUT THE

LAND. ... 12

* * * TO YOUR DREAMING MEDA, WHILE IN TROUBLED SLEEP HE

LAY, CAME THE SPIRIT OF THE WATERS, WREATHED IN BILLOWY CLOUDS

OF SPRAY. ... 1 8

* * * IN TONES OF MEASURED CALMNESS, SELF-REPRESSED, AND

STERNLY BRIEF, HE MADE KNOWN HIS TIDINGS BITTER * * * ... 28

* * * ONE MORN, THE TREACHEROUS MEDA, SLAIN BY HOSTILE

UNKNOWN HAND, SLOW WAS BORNE INTO THE VILLAGE BY THE YOUNG BRAVES OF THE

BAND. 36

viii ITllustrattons

PAGE

* * * DARTING, BOUNDING O*ER THE TIDE,

SHOOTING STRAIGHT TO MEET ITS FELLOW, LO ! A SECOND SKIFF" THEY

SPIED. ... 48

* * * IN HIS TENDER, YEARNING EYES,

CLEAR SHE READS THE PREGNANT MEANING OF THAT LOVE-WROUGHT

SACRIFICE. ... 50

SWIFT BY FRANTIC STROKE IMPELLED, IT INTERCEPTS IT NEAR THE

BRINK, WHERE IN STRONG LOVE CLASPED TOGETHER, FATHER, DAUGHTER,

FADING SINK. 54

M

I.

PROEM.

ID the rush of mighty waters, in the thundering

cataract's roar, Where Niagara's streaming rapids down in headlong

torrent pour ; Where the serried waves like chargers madly leaping

to the fray, Fling aloft their snowy crests and toss their manes of

flying spray, Rearing, plunging, onward urging — Nature's glorious

cavalry ! Where th' eternal sweep of waters like the unending

surge of time, Pulsing, throbs in rhythmic measure to a wondrous

strain sublime : Dwells, so ancient legends say, the mighty Spirit of

the Falls, Who from out the tumult, hoarsely, for unbounded

homage calls.

-* * * As often as they listened, on the voices of the

flood, Deep, were borne the Spirit's mutter ings, calling fierce

for human blood.

Here the children of the forest, spellbound by that

deafening roar, Stopped to gaze with listening wonder, in the simpler

days of yore ; Awe-struck, gazed in silent worship, well beseeming

Nature's child, As in chase they roamed the plain, or tracked in war

the pathless wild : And as often as they listened, on the voices of the

flood Deep were borne the Spirit's mutterings, calling fierce

for human blood ;

Ay, and sacrifice more cruel in that cry they under stood : Gift of Nature's choicest treasure, peerless budding

womanhood !

II.

WENONAH.

T^AIREST of the laughing daughters by blue Sene ca's rippling tide, Was the Indian maid, Wenonah, sturdy Kwasind's joy

and pride : Eyes of laughter, like the sunshine dancing in her

native lake, O'er whose depths, anon, fleet shadows chasing cast

their trailing wake ; Lips of tempting ruddy hue like mountain berries

gleaming fair ;

Raven locks, whose glossy lustre shone like dark-stem med maidenhair ; Whilst rich mantling color tinged an olive cheek, whose

crimson flush Vied with flaming woodland leaves when touched with

Autumn's scarlet blush.

She, hailed queen by all the maidens, led with merriest quip and song.

And the music of her laughter, when amid the joyous

throng, She, hailed Queen by all the maidens, led with merriest

quip and song, Fell in sweetest rippling cadence, sounding thro' the

leafy way Like the purl of hidden brooklet murmuring soft in

distant play ; As in freest fancy roving, far removed from cares or

strife, With fresh eager zest exulting in youth's bounding

sense of life, Bright she moved, a winsome picture, framed by

Nature's matchless art In all scenes of joy and beauty royally to bear her

part.

Yet to scenes of mirth not solely was her sunny

presence lent ;

Truer was her simple nature, to a nobler purpose bent : Only child of widow'd father, hers the sacred heritage, With the charm of winning girlhood, to make bright

his lonely age. What tho' ardently, nay fiercely, for her smiles the

young braves strove In all feats of savage daring — none as yet might claim

her love ; She, with roguish, artless spirit, laughing in her gay

caprice, Found in loving, filial duty surer joys of heart-whole

peace.

Just as when some sturdy giant of the forest, bending

low, Bows before the axe and toppling falls with mighty

crashing blow, Clinging tendrils, newly springing round the shattered

trunk are seen Swift to hide its prostrate ruin 'neath a veil of living

green, Guarding, shielding, closely nestling to their riven

parent stock, Like mute sentient creatures fearful of rude gaze or

heedless mock : So the maid her lonely father tended with fond, jealous

pride, Steadfast, faithful to her trust, where none might woo

her from his side.

* * * Grave attention holds the band.

III.

THE COUNCIL.

y^^ATHERED is the warriors' council. Thro' the

^— ~ shadows of the night,

Darkly gleams each dusky figure in the camp-fire's

fitful light. Slowly round the silent circle moves the red-pipe's

gleaming bowl, Thro' whose clouds each wreath'd sage, peering the

dark future to unroll, Draws a drowsy, sweet contentment, for the moment,

o'er his soul. Now, the brooding hush is broken ; grave attention

holds the band,

For the Med'cine-man is speaking of the want through out the land; Slow, in subtle craft, contrasting with the wealth of

happier days Present dearth of fish and venison, withering blight

upon their maize.

13

Well he speaks! His halting- manner but betrays the

deeper art Of his cunning soul vindictive ; which full oft had

conned this part, Since that day when in dim forest glade Wenonah

spurned his quest, And with flaming scorn repelled the love his suppliant

words confessed. Little recked the fearless maiden in that lonely, fateful

hour, Dark appeal, mute, threatening gesture, hints of baleful

fetich power ; For while untaught reason wavered, blindly groping

toward the light, Woman's faultless intuition read his lying heart aright !

"Senecas ! Twice the rolling Autumn, with deep-laden

malice fraught, Years of blight and wasting sickness to your golden

maize hath brought. Yet again the dread plague threatens ! Speak, deluded,

hapless race, Will ye, reckless, longer trust th' uncertain product

of the chase ? Hunted, driven, the startled red deer, fleeing, vanish

from your sight ! Hark, the cry of fenland wild-geese, parting on their

southward flight ! E'en your lake trout, lurking wary, yield but scanty

livelihood- Will ye see your children starving ? Answer, Senecas !

Is it good ?

Came the Spirit of the Waters, wreathed in billowy clouds of spray.

"Listen! To your dreaming Meda, while in troubled

sleep he lay, Came the Spirit of the Waters, wreathed in billowy

clouds of spray :— ' Wherefore do My children shun Me ? Where the

grateful offering rare Of the maid and first-fruits choicest, which they once

were wont to bear ? Has prosperity thus turned them from the faith of

simpler days ? Let them heed, lest FAMINE seal My warning blight

upon their maize ! ' So He spake, with muttered thunderings, leaving me

as one for dead. Need I counsel ? Heed the warning ! Yet delay not !

— I have said."

Ceased the speaker, 'mid a silence, chill, foreboding as

the grave,

Save where some sage, nodding grayhead growl of half- conviction gave, As at grim want's threatening horror, fear, by ghastly

memories fed, Woke to flame the smouldering embers of a cruel faith

nigh dead ; Or perchance, some young brave, chafing sore in hot,

rebellious mood, With the first warm flush of manhood 'gainst a bygone

creed of blood, Carried past his wiser fellows, borne by love's impetuous

stream, Muttered curse both deep and savage on the Meda's

boding dream !

But all eyes were fixed on Kwasind, Strong Man,

warrior proved and true, Whose brave heart, where others faltered, never fear

nor weakness knew ; Hero of a thousand conflicts, scarred in visage, proud

of mien,

Foremost ever in rude battle, chase, or stirring council- scene : And their eyes were fixed upon him with a deep,

expectant gaze, Watching for some answering signal which their

sinking hearts might raise ; Hope and terror strangely blended in that wistful,

furtive stare, Not unmixed with curious pity for a father's mute

despair !

Long they sat, in silence waiting. Neither word, nor

sign, nor glance From the Sachem came in answer to their wondering

look askance. — Ah ! the nameless, unseen terror of that shadowy

Spirit-land, With its spectral shapes and phantoms, — who its power

can understand ? Now, in sudden wrath he starts at thought of pity from

the rest, Crushes down the welling tumult surging thro' his

anguished breast, Cloaks 'neath stoic, outward calm the grief he struggles

to control— Lest perchance he may betray the finer feelings of his

soul !

There he sits, all wrapped in silence, strangely mute,

impassive grown, Drawn each stern and rigid feature like carved lines of

chiselled stone ; Iron will and haughty spirit bravely answering to

repress Quivering lip and trembling eyelid, — signals of his

deep distress. See ! he meets their searching glance with head erect

and flashing mien ; Slowly gazes round the assembly with unflinching air

serene : Victor in th' unnatural conflict ; love and nature, both

defied ; Slave to coward superstition ; thrall of idle savage

pride !

He made known his tidings bitter *

* *

•

IV.

KWASIND.

IV TOR when, once the conclave over, striding back

*• ^ in anger wild

To the hut, where all unconscious of her fate, his

darling child Rose to greet his late home-coming, — did his flood of

grief long-pent, In a burst of manlier feeling find, e'en then, its fitting

vent : But in tones of measured calmness, self-repressed, and

sternly brief, He made known his tidings bitter to her gaze of

wondering grief ; Nay, to that grim ordeal, harshly, bade her nerve her

trembling frame, For the welfare of her people, for the honor of his

name !

Yet, in lonely midnight vigil, when beneath the unwonted

strain, Baffled nature rose rebellious, throbbing fierce in secret

pain, Vowed he threat of direst vengeance, breathing forth

an ominous hiss 'Gainst the doting, idle dreamer: — "Curse him, he

shall die for this ! " Or as tenderer feelings, rushing with tumultuous ebb

and roll, Stirred to ruth the deep recesses of his inmost troubled

soul, Pity for her youth and beauty, doomed thus soon to

fade and die, Found expression mute yet touching, in a long-drawn

secret sigh.

Or he dwelt on her obedience, on her silent fortitude, Bowing to his will submissive, 'neath a blow so harsh

and rude : And it called to mind her mother, gentle slave of

days long fled, Slain, alas ! in hostile foray ere her noon of life had

sped. How might she have met this trial ? — What her thought

of him, who must In the pride of false endurance, thus betray a father's

trust ? Till proud spirit, bowed in anguish, brooding thro' the

silent night, Staggered 'neath the strong temptation of a swift,

inglorious flight.

33

Then, a sterner mood returning-, pride resumed its wonted sway ;

Bade him heed the tribe's opinion ; pictured what his braves might say :

While he strove, with specious reasoning, which he well knew for a lie,

To assuage the qualms of conscience — outraged nature's stifled cry !

Her obedience ? — but th' expression of a flattered vanity

At the tribute of the council's silent unanimity !

Or if here, too, justice triumphed, muttered with con temptuous thought :

" After all, she 's but a woman !" — and in this a respite sought.

35

Slow was borne into the village by the young braves

of the band,

He)

So the days dragged slowly onward, days of strife and

varying mood, As he watched her steadfast bearing from his gloomy

solitude : And one morn, the treacherous Meda, slain by hostile,

unknown hand, Slow was borne into the village by the young braves of

the band. None mistrusted sullen Kwasind, when the funeral

throng drew nigh, Or, at least, none cared to question with that scowling

warrior by. But th' event was soon forgotten 'mid the press of other

calls, And the stir of preparation for their long march to the

Falls.

37

C

V. THE SACRIFICE.

IOME, at length, the fatal evening — for such pur pose, all too soon ! —On a scene of matchless glory slow uprose the harvest

moon : Crested wave and shimmering islet, bathed in flood of

golden light, Caught and threw its tremulous radiance far adown the

wind-kissed night ; Soft the mellow moonbeams glinting thro' the leaves

on isle and shore, Spread beneath, their quivering fretwork, interlaced with

shadows o'er ; Now, the full orb's splendor shining, woke to brilliant

glistening play Myriad hues of emerald richness, showers of sparkling

diamond spray.

39

On the cliffs beyond the cataract, ranged like sentinels

on high, Giant trees stood darkly shadowed, spectre-like against

the sky; Far beneath, the seething river, wrapped in deepest

midnight gloom, Flowed with cruel, swirling torrent thro' the gorge — a

fitting tomb ! While, like ponderous portals clanging 'twixt these

scenes of death and life, Boomed the Falls, their bellowing echoes telling of

a ceaseless strife ; Riven, torn in wildest fury, lashed to foam and clouds

of spray,

Like some clamorous monster raging for its long- expected prey.

From the shore, in jarring discord with the spirit of the

hour, Shouts of revelry invaded its sublime, mysterious

power : Man, the slave of passions rude, in superstition's yoke

enthralled, Marred the face divine of Nature, by her grandeur

unappalled. — There they danced in wild carousal, thro' that

glorious moonlit night, Love and friendship all forgotten, in their orgies' fierce

delight ; Thinking thus, poor simple children, best the dread

wrath to assuage Of that Spirit dark, whose roaring told of boundless,

sullen rage.

43

Hark ! a distant shout. Swift following, comes a

momentary hush. Then, their ill-timed revels quitting, to the river's bank

they rush : Up the stream all eyes are straining, toward yon faintest

speck of white, Where the frail birch onward dancing, flashes in the

moon's pale light ; Large, now larger, grows the object ; till at length the

kneelino- form

O

Of a maid is seen, her tresses blowing wildly in the storm ;

Clasped her hands, her lips half-parted, staring down the angry stream

As if spellbound by the horror of some hideous night mare dream !

45

At that sight, their spell is broken. Cheer rever berates on cheer,

Till the answering banks re-echo like a scoffing, mocking jeer.

Louder still their cries redouble, as the skiff with frightful lunge

Leaps in where the steadier current gathers for its final plunge.

Passed the head of low-crowned Iris ! Luna gleams !— But what is this ?

Why this stillness, broken only by the thunder of th' abyss ?

Why this sudden pause from shouting, and that swift- averted gaze

To yon point where, circling, eddying past the shore, the current plays ?

47

Shooting straight to meet his fellow, lo / a second skiff

they spied. •

Leaping from the mainland outward, darting, bounding

o'er the tide, Shooting straight to meet its fellow, — lo ! a second

skiff they spied. Mark the dripping blade flash brightly, scattering drops

of silver light, As the shallop plunges, lurches, forward urged by

desperate might ! See ! it nears ; they strike ! — Defiant, stands a swaying,

stalwart form ; Poises high the useless paddle; hurls it at the ravening

storm ! While an arm protecting, shielding, round the startled

maid is flung :— "'T is her father ! Kwasind ! Kwasind ! " bursts in frenzy

from the throng.

49

In his tender, yearning eyes, Clear she reads the pregnant meaning of that love- wrought sacrifice.

Ay ; 't was Kwasind ! Love, triumphant over every

fear and doubt, Love had won the final victory, putting stubborn pride

to rout. By that one brief glance at meeting, in his tender

yearning eyes,

Clear she reads the pregnant meaning of that love- wrought sacrifice :—

Not forgotten, not forsaken, in that lonely, bitter hour! Then, tho' certain death await her, answering to his

love's strong power Leaps the light of new-born gladness in her eyes !—

With quickened breath, Clasped as one, they pass the portal to the shadowy

realm of death.

VI.

EPILOGUE.

AND in after years, at nightfall — still the Indian legends say — When each swift revolving Autumn brings again that

fatal day, From Niagara's brow, a shallop thro' the dusk is seen

to glide, Stemming with unwavering course the mighty flood's

on-rushing tide. ; Till, a jutting headland reached, it swerves, and nears

the northern strand, Where a slight form, dimly shadowed, on the bank is

said to stand : There, its strange freight once embarked, it veers, and

downward thro' the night Bears the spectral, kneeling figure of a maiden robed

in white.

53

Where in strong love clasped together, father, daughter, fading sink.

And as often as the phantom nears the head of

Luna's shores, From the bank, another shallop leaps to meet its gliding

course ; Swift by frantic stroke impelled, it intercepts it near the

brink, Where in strong love clasped together, father, daughter,

fading sink : And as surely as they vanish, louder roars the Spirit

gray ; Higher yet, like incense rising, waft the rolling clouds

of spray ; Whilst the moon, her pale face veiling high in Autumn's

cloud-flecked skies, Mourns the unending expiation of that cruel sacrifice.

55

University of California

SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY

305 De Neve Drive - Parking Lot 17 • Box 951388

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90095-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed.

THBT

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES

3539 -3332-1

TruTnhvil 1 - — The legend of tho white

UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY

A 001 247 897 o

canoe

PS

3539 T772 1

Univei

Sou

Li