%, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 2.2 2.0 18 L25 1 1.4 1.6 •• 6" ► V y] Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4S03 'i> #, ^ *, ^' ., w CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductlons historlques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographlcally unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. 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THE LEGEND OF THE WHITE CANOE BV WILLIAM TRUMBULL WITH I'HOTOIJRAVURKS FROM DKSIGNS IIY 1'. V. Du MOND G. p. PUTNAM'S SONS NEW YORK LONDON 117 WBST IWKNTV-THIRU STHF.ET 24 IIEDKORU STREET, STRAND «!:^c llnicltcrbotltci ^tt»» 1894 4^A\ P£ COPYRIGHT, 1893 IIV G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS ':: t: Electnitypeil, Printeil, ami noniid by Ube Iknicficrbocbcr |>rcs6, Dcvo itforli (1. P. Putnam's Sons n /6^'f DEDICATED lO A. L. T. T. m I 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. Jv \ 1 f I CONTENTS Proem Wenonah The Council KWASIND The Sacrifice Epilogue 5 tS 99 39 53 '. i' .'/ [ I W \ ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE KUXO ..o.r TH.K S.OWV CKKSXS ... .osS rHK.K M...KS CK K,.V,^« • . . Frontispiece ... 6 * * * GRAVE ATTENTION HOLUs THE BAND '•---•C-.MAN . S,.EAK,., OK THE WANT THKOU.HonT THE * * *^ - ^""« "«HAM.NO MEHA. WHILE IN TROUBI.En SI.EE,. HE CAME THE^s^IRTT OK THE WATERS, WREATHE.. IN I.,EI.OWV CI.OI-I,s lZ::Z::: "^^^^ '^""'=^^- ^K,.E.KK.RESSEn. ANO HE MADE KNOWN HIS TIDINGS lUTTER * * * * * * ONE MORN, THE TREACHEROl's MEDA SI MV ,.v „. 1;NKN0WN HAND, '^ HOSTILE SLOW WAS BORNE INTo'the VILLAGE MV THE VOUNC BR.vr- BAND. ^OLNC. BRAVES OK THE vit 12 l8 38 36 \.\ 1Uu0tration0 * * * DARTING, noUNniNO o'eR the TIIIE, SHOUTING STRAIGHT TO MEET ITS FELLOW, l.O ! A SKCONI) SKIIF THEY SPIED. * * * IN HIS TENDER, YEARNING EYES, CLEAR SHE READS THE PREGNANT MEANING OF THAT LOVE-WROUGHT SACRIFICE. SWIFT BY FRANTIC STROKE IMI'ELl.EI), IT INTERCEPTS IT NKAR THE liRINK, WHERE IN STRONG LOVE CLASPED lOGETHER, FATHER, DAUGHTER, FADING SINK, .48 50 54 ( 1 UpMKBMatinitNMnMMiM 1 ^» ■ '/ I. PROEM. N .-X, M 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. •l * * * As often as they listened, on the voices of the flood. Deep ivere borne the Spirit's nnitterings, (all ing fierce for human hlood. If '^ w W 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 ! i~ I if' >■ I 1! :%: i f f\ II. WENONAH. \ « TT'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, Heet 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. m She. /tailed queen by all the maieleiis, led zvtth merriest quip and song. • -i-v^-^Vi- -wi -,iw' ^ *>T-V. !.,..(.. -y.'^^ t^'^X ;•;.■■,, i 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. Ull 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. I t \ ^' Just as when some sturdy giant of the forest, bendi low, ng Bows before the axe and toppHng 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. It I i [\ .^k. {\ ■'■■ '■'' '. i^ - -^ :!^^, 1 s ^■■^: , ,^. 5" i N -ii- '■'3 ^ Sz* ■^■<'- ■ " V . ■ M V : ^[■y ,x"^r l^h ' , 1 wr . ^ ^-* 1^:'-. ■ if ^v '"'"^l^^iii i^ve^fe^- ^ ^ --^ 0» , ■'^. : i * . - ■>', "k i \l III. THE COUNCIL. G M 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. n u , ' W \ I • > : ' W 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 VVenonah 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 ! 15 IV \ I ••, .« h I i (■ ■ / \ I "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, rteeing, 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 ? 17 w > i Came ike Spirit of (he Waters, ivreathed in billowx clouds of sprety. It ■ Ll. i 1 "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 oftering rare Of the maid and first-fruits choicest, which they o'nce were wont to bear ? Has prospcri^. 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 I Yet delay not ! — ^I have said." 19 w as Ceased the speaker, 'mid a silence, chill, foreboding 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 impetu stream. Muttered curse both deep and savage on the Meda boding dream ! lOUS 21 / \i i But all eyes were fixed on Kvvasind, 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! 23 I r \\ I.: 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, - s^ 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 ! as . 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 ! 87 li ^ vv I He made kmnun /us tidtngs bitter * !H # 1 (■ ^, \ ' ' I r IV. KWASIND. /"v. NOR y\ in OR when, once the conclave over, striding back anger wild To the hut, where all unconscious of her fate, his darling ch-ld Rose to greet his late home-coming, — did his flood of grief long-pent. In a bursi- cf 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 ! 29 ■ Yet, in lonely midnight vigil, when beneath the unwonted stra.n, 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. 31 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 J . 1 :l _ i ! '^ 1- ■ i. ' 1 X . . . !\ '' '' . - - :'- 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^ V, « S/ozi< ioits bo}-Jic into the village by the young braves of the banel. . « I /f 41 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. in 37 V. \\ THE SACRIFICE. COME, 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 w 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 portal 3 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, V; Like some clamorous monster raging for its long- expected prey. 41 11 \- *- w 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 w 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 kneelinor form 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 ! 48 w 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 ! ^ una 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 II M I >" \ / u *t S hoofing straight to meet /us Jvllo-a\ lo ! a second skiff they spied. i ; 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, yearnhig eyes, Clear • she reads the pregnant meaning of that love- tvrought sacrifice. T !.:l Iff IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V ^ A A / 4.