.-. '"*!.. 0< .", " "^oV* '♦./'•' iO ■^ ... -^^'\«^' "q. .'♦ir.-' .vO- V-^^ '^<^ lO »'*A'* ^ "f. ^*' .'Vflf^!' ^^ «.^ ►:^i:. >. A*' y^ V « 1 • °- «> V'^-'V, .0* . V with Tom Tom and Tomahawk By EMILA. CKEPPLER. New York A. G. Seller & Company 1902 388 TWF t.'BRAftV OF OONGRESS, f -•) Cftw^.5- Rhdsived OEC. id 1902 C» AStfi Ou-XXc No. ^ d' *2_ S" 5 conr e. Copyrighted, 1902, by Emil a. C. Keppler. To Charlotte. CONTENTS. Prelude . . . . . y Tupac Amaru, {Peruvian) - - - 9 Wahbuk and Nomah, {Setiecd) - - 12 The Isles of the Yellow Sands, {Huron) - 14 Mawaha, (/roquois) - - - - 16 Natural Bridge, (Columbia River) - - 24 Menomini Totem Tale, (Green Bay) - 26 Winona, {Delaxvare and White Tradition) - 30 Chief Tom, ( Wetauget) - - - 43 How Black Hawk Met His Enemies, {Sac) - 45 PRELUDE. The legends of the Indian tribes I love to hear; They are not written down by scribes Who falsify the facts for bribes Or lie through fear. Some deed heroic done by friends Or kinsmen near; One's duty when a soul ascends Whence Manitou his spirit sends To give us cheer. The war-song and the song of peace The Indian seer Intones; the torture, death, release Of foes, are themes that never cease To reappear. 9 TUPAC AMARU. {Peruvian.) Now praise to Tupac's memory, May with his soul be peace! Great deeds he did for old Peru — And died for its release. A hundred years it is, and more. Since he, proud Inca heir. Gave up his life for liberty In Cuzco's crowded square. In awe they bowed to Spaniard law, The conquered Indian men — For Tupac, on his way to death, No cheer was uttered then. The Spaniard guard, with bayonet. Silenced all cheering there; But eighty thousand saints above Cheered silently in air. 10 The guards with curse and taunt reviled The people of Peru, They laughed alone, while strong men wept, At suffering Amaru. In spite of Spaniard bayonet Brave Tupac stood his ground: " I will be heard before I die ! Although my foes surround. I fought for freedom's cherished life; And, though this time I failed. The cause must win, for it is just; — Think how ye Spaniards quailed ! Ye trembled all at freedom's call And thought your sun had set; But tyrant power, although 'tis doomed. Victorious is as yet. The war-cry of the Inca race: ' We want our rights as men ! ' Will set afire the Southern Sphere, God save ye Spaniards then ! 11 But now to God commend my soul And say to all that hear : His last prayer was for Liberty, For her we slew him here ! " And thus died he, the Inca heir, Brave Tupac Amaru. And eighty thousand ghostly dead Cheered loudly for Peru. They welcomed him as honored Chief, As freedom's valiant head. They welcomed him with colors dipped. As the nation's greatest dead ! 12 WAHBUK AND NOMAH. ( Seneca. ) The Senecas were weeping loud At Nomali's early death. The sun withdrew behind a cloud, The wind half caught his breath. Young Wahbuk came to kiss his bride, With Avar's success aglow; He brushed the silent throng aside: — '' To Nomah I would go." The old men said: "Young man beware You call upon the dead! We mourn for Nomah lying there Upon her funeral bed." Then Wahbuk answered not a word, He laid his bow aside; He seemed of stone, he never stirred, At even time he died. 13 The death song then, intoned by braves, Was chanted o'er and o'er, And hearing it the languid waves Sobbed softly on the shore. Upon a willow near the lake A bird sang sweet and low; It sang as if its heart would break From very strength of woe. The squaws were silent every one From gi*ief, o'erstrong and deep; They, too, loved Nomah, pale and wan, Loved her too well to weep. And then they buried both in state Upon the lake's dark shore; And asked the bird and its small mate To sing there evermore. That prayer by Manitou was heard, And Nomah's grave became The holy shrine of every bird That worthy was the name. 14 THE ISLES OF THE YELLOW SAND. {Huro?i.) ! have you heard the story Of the wonderful isles of sand, Or have you seen their glory As the sun rose o'er the land? Upon their yellow beaches Lie grains of golden sands, And on their shallow reaches The golden bulrush stands. And trees, with gold twigs drooping, Stand close to a black mouthed cave. In golden fretwork looping That gateway to the grave. And horn-clad serpents, warding The glimmering treasure of gold, Deal death to men according As their lust is strong and bold. 15 The winds and the waves are lining The eyes of the dead with gokl And mortals by their shining Are lured to the serpents' hold. The bones of men lie bleaching On the shores of the Isles of Sand; And nought but the eagles, screeching, And serpents reach that land. How news of those Isles came hither No living man doth know; Perhaps earth's thought strayed thither Through dreamland long ago ! By minds of mankind moulded The tale of the wonderful shores, As slowly was unfolded As wings of bird that soars. 16 THE LEGEND OF MAWAHA. ( Iroqtiois. ) In sliady wood, in tranquil nook, Through forests dim with pines. By every rushing, babbling brook, Mawaha sings these lines; " In days to come we will arise, In days of pain and woe — The Iroquois are great and wise And brave they are, I know. They rule the land with flint like hand. They win the wars they wage; And none from coward Huron band Dare tempt our sachem's rage. The lodges of the Iroquois Are countless as the stars. That nightly rise above St. Croix, Which bears our hatchet scars. 17 Their council fires burn long and late, The peace pipe oft goes round; They learnt to love and learnt to hate, Long ere that Huron hound. Their sachems speak with open heart. Their speech and tongue are straight; When Iroquois as guest-friends part. They covet not your mate. Their bucks ^are noble, strong and kind; In hunting swift of foot; They build the best canoes you'll find, And bows wherewith to shoot. They hunt, they fish, they till the soil, They love their wigwam's ease; — From battles fierce and hot embroil No warrior ever flees. A Huron only would turn round And double on his track ! No Iroquois was ever found With death wound in his back ! 18 May Manitou increase their strength, Respect their heartfelt cries And kill that Huron race at length ! The Iroquois are great and wise ! " This was an ancient, time-worn song Mawaha sung alway. The shamans knew and sung it long Before her granther's day. Its vengeful temper pleased her well, Its firmness, strength and ire; — She loved on gruesome thoughts to dwell Around the bright lodge-fire. Whenever she began a tale The tribe would gather round; Ere half was told a woe-born wail Would make the forests sound. She knew the legends of the past As no one else knew them; She gathered them, until, at last, She merely lived for them. 19 Mawaha's hair is black as coal, But shrivelled is her skin; Her eye spies out a beaver's hole Before her youngest kin. Though bent and doubled up with age, She chants the wild war-songs; And in her maddened, blinded rage Her body strikes with thongs. Upon the foe she charges then And taunts him to the fight; " What coward braves are Huron men, Just see them run from fright." And then she takes deliberate aim, And throws a stone that kills; All Huron breasts are filled with shame, Mawaha's deed instils. The storm of battle rages then With fury — to the death; Mawaha, fighting with the men, Is oft hard pressed for breath. 20 When thus Mawaha leads the fray The Iroquois 7)mst win; But only courage saves the day And oh! the ranks are thin! She leads the mourning, leads the wail,- Chief mourner of her tribe; — For nights until the sun rays pale Their daily rounds describe. At sunrise gaunt Mawaha bows Her aged, wrinkled head; Then, rising, gravely feeds her cows And bakes the morning's bread. At noontide when the sun is high She cooks the mid-day meal; And watches with forbidding eye The dog's attempt to steal. At eventide, when stars are out. Before the camp-fire's blaze, While friends and kindred sit about. She treads tradition's maze. 21 One night before her tent she nods And mutters half unheard: ''I curse the spot the Huron trods, His truth is but a word. The Hurons fight, as snakes might fight That creep up to their prey; Or wolves that prowl about at night But shun the light of day. They see our bravfes depart for game, And think we cannot wield The battle axe and lance the same As braves that never yield. Oh yes ! They fight papoose and squaw With fearless mien and heart; — In Huron's worst defeat I saw We took an active part." A Huron cometh from behind; From every bush he peers. He cometh with the evening wind And every word he hears. 22 His swarthy face grows darker still And fiercer burns his hate; But training brings an iron will That teaches how to wait. Mawaha nods, Mawaha dreams By lodge-fire's fitful light; A bowstring twangs, an arrow gleams One instant in the night. Mawaha stares into her fire She cares not for her breath; Her wrinkled face is full of ire And bears the stamp of death. She chaunts the death song of her race In solemn, stately tones; While friends are gathering round apace Who fill the dark with groans. Mawaha sings, as stars arise, And shadows deeper grow: — " The Iroquois are great and wise, And brave they are, I know." 23 And when the sun shines o'er the land '* They win the wars they wage; And none from coward Huron band Dare tempt our sachem's rage. " And when the afternoon is late, To those who stand around: — '' The Huron race, I hate ! ! " And sought the Hunting Ground. The gaunt face painted blue and pink, Tlie hair in tresses done. With food to eat and drink to drink And eyes to the setting sun; — They buried her at dead of night Where murmuring maples moan; They built a camp fire then to light The long way and the lone ! 24 NATURAL BRIDGE. {CoJionbia River Indians^ The last seer speaks: Behold tlie sun, a blood red ball, Stands in dark skies whence woe shall fall; For Manitou has hid his face From this great land and greater race. Oh, sons of men, what direful fate! In long procession every state With Avar chief, squaw and painted brave Goes onward to its unearned grave. On that great bridge of earth and stone Depends the nation's life alone. And Manitou has wisely said: " When this bridge falls the race is dead ! " The bridge still stands but, men, beware Lest in its stead stand empty air; Tempt not the power of Manitou — The bridge might fall and with it you. 25 The secret of the bridge is mine I know each fissure, love each line. But Manitou forbade me act If I descried the bridge was cracked ! I bid farewell to you this day, Like yonder sky my hair is grey. Like birds of omen my voice calls To warn — Too late ! The^bridge, men, falls ! 26 A MENOMINI TOTEM TALE. ( Green Bay. ) At Minikanisepe in Menomini land The Mighty Maker fashioned Manittos on each hand. He gave them form of mammal, he gave them form of bird, They were most vicious monsters — of worse none ever heard. They lived in night perpetual, beneath the earth entombed. And there to evil doing they were forever doomed. The last that he gave life to were called the Thunderers; They are the crows and eagles, and neither of them stirs, 27 Unless the Unseen Eagle, their chieftain, bids them go. And then the}^ do his bidding, as Golden Eagles know. But Manitou the Mighty forgot the Bear was there — And gave bim his permission to say what form he'd wear. The Bear replied right promptly he would be glad to be What Manitou in wisdom should wisely make decree. And when Great Spirit heard this at once he formed a plan. The Bear should for his wisdom be made an Indian man. But he was light of color, and he was lithe of limb And that's the way Great Spirit at once rewarded him. 28 At Minikanisepe, the Indian race appeared ; For there the Bear crawled upward, and through the earth's crust peered. And lo ! he kept on crawling till on the earth he stood And found him by the lakeside Avithin a great, dark wood. He felt so very lonely he called the Eagle then, "Come, Eagle, be my brother; be of the race of men." The Eagle came and answered, '' Your brother I will be." And both then wanted greatly one to make them three. And while they talked it over, the Beaver came along, And asked to be made one of the Thunderers so strong. 29 But since he was a woman he could not be admitted Except as Younger Brother — and this they straight permitted. When next the Bear and Eagle stood on the river shore, They saw the Sturgeon swimr^ing, recrossing o'er and o'er. And him the Bear adopted as servant and young Brother; The Eagle claimed the Moose as had the Bear the other. And all of these had taken the shape of native man. At Minikanisepe was born the Indian. 30 THE LEGEND OF WINONA. (A Tale of the Water Gap.) Slumbering softly, Rocked in the branches Of an old oak tree, Dreams a woodpecker. Soon he awakens, Looks all about him Calling his mate. " Pray, have you ever Heard of the legend Told of Winona— Pride of the Delaw^ares ? " Was his first question When he had found her. '' No ? Well then, listen." " There at your right hand, Where that great cliff is, Deathward Winona Leaped from the Hurons. 31 Know too, sweet singer, Tliere was a warrior. Bravest of young men, Loved by Winona; Called by his people, 'Friend of Winona' And ' Scourge of the Hurons,' Called by Winona 'Wielder of Thunder; Caught on the warpath Because he forsook not Wounded companions. Twenty dead Hurons Lay on the earth there Ere he was captured. Numbers o'ercame him. Bound were his fore-arms; Tortures awaited The foe of the Hurons. Squaws and young maidens Cursed and reviled him. Had he not rendered Headless their lodges ? 32 Had he not conquered Hiirons unnumbered ? Had he not killed him, Greatest of sachems, Fiercest Tahawus ? Now that they had him Vengeance they sought for. How could they cause him Pain, the severest, Such as would bring forth Prayers for mercy. Which they could mock at. Laugh at and scorn at. Far down below them Lay the swift river. Serpent-like coiling From mountain to mountain; Forming an island With its great elbows. Swift was the current. Swifter than any Indian runner. 33 There on the island Safe from the Hurons, During the day time Camped their fierce foemen. But when the twilight Came from the mountains, Then they drew backward, Crossing the river, Seeking for shelter Tammany's forests. From where were gathered Huron's great chieftains. Meeting in Council, Planning the death blow To those on the island, Plainly were seen the Forces there stationed: Delaware forces. Over the river Tammany's forests. Teeming with foemen. Seemed in the distance, Smoke from a camp fire; . 34 Curling, first skyward, Then, meeting the breezes. Drifting in wavy Lines to the zenith. Scourge o£ the Hurons, Delaware's bravest. Crossed from the island Towards the Hurons. Glowing with courage, Eager for battle. Came five companions — Each a fierce foeman. Each fearless, firm hearted. Cautiously creeping, Sheltered by brushwood, Gained they the summit — The Hurons' encampment. Here were they first seen, Struck at and wounded. Friend of Winona Alone was uninjured. High was his courage. 35 Strong was liis bow-arm, Sure was his shooting. But unavailing Was his resistance. Capture meant torture To Scourge of the Hurons. All unbeknown to Friend or to mother, Radiant Winona Followed her lover. Followed him shoreward, Parting the waters With her bare bosom. Kissing the waters With her sweet lips. Then, When through the brushwood, Her lover ascended Up to the summit, Brown breasted Winona Followed her lover. Onwards and upwards. Hid in a cavern Close to the summit. 36 Watched liis brave fighting, Knew his great danger, Counted his foemen; Counted besides these The paths from the summit. Heard all the sachems Planning the capture Of Delaware's strong-holds. Heard how at midnight When bare was the island Of hostile defenders, Huron's strong warriors Leaving their summit. Crossing the foaming. Impetuous current, Should capture the island; Keeping through daylight Delaware forces Far from their strong-hold. Then in the night time, Leaving the island^ Swimming the river, Gaining the forest 37 On Tammany's shore line, Were they to hunt them Just as the lions Found on the mountain. Death was the measure Meted each foeman. Scourge of the Hurons Was bound to an oak tree, Wood piled about him. Set fire to, and fed well. Arrows were aimed at. Javelins struck him. Tomahawks grazed him — Yet never complained he, Loved by Winona. Winona beholding All this great torture, Stifled her sobbing From love for her people, Waiting till twilight Ere she crept slowly Out of her cavern. 38 Close by her lover, Touching him almost, Passed sad Winona. '' Scourge of the Hurons," Whispered the maiden Under her closed lips, ^' Fear not Winona ! Courage, my chieftain. Saved are thy people. Lest thy Winona Meet with the Hurons ! " Cutting the deer thongs Binding him tightly, Swiftly she passed then Into the forest. Hastening greatly Her faltering footsteps. When swift Winona Had come to the ledge here Signals she made then Having a meaning Only to kinsmen. 39 Down on the island Friends were a-stirring, Searching for signs from Wielder of Thunder, Scourge of the Hurons, Friend of Winona. When they espied them, Wonder o'erwhelmed them. Still they decided To feign a retreat; Leading the Hurons, Sure of succeeding. Into an ambush, Coming at midnight Themselyes to recapture The island, their strong-hold. Hurons ne'er dreamed that Wielder of Thunder Thong-bound no longer. Was freed by Winona. Hastily searching For the offender 40 Some of them met witli Fleeing Winona. But Wielder of Thunder's Beloved lost not Time on her mission — Checked not by orders, Nor arrows of Hurons, Downward descended Eager Winona. Followed by Hurons Close on her foot prints. Numerous Hurons Coming behind her, Blocked her retreating. Cliffs lay before her Seemingly asking Death for Winona. Right to the edge of One of the greatest Drove they Winona, Crowding her forward. Cursing the Hurons 41 Winona leaped downwards Cheating lier foemen Out of their victim; For no one dared follow. Scourge of the Hurons Knew not who freed him. But he fought nobly Spite of his tortures, Falling in battle There on the summit, There midst the wigwams Of Delaware's foemen. Up from the island. Just as the sun set. Saw they the death leap Of beauteous Winona — Pride of the Delawares. The Father of Oak trees Stood, with his branches Towering skyward, Midway between the Summit and valley. 42 Seeing Winona Leap from the Hurons, Knowing that fragments Only would tell the Fate of the maid to Those in the valley, Loving her beauty, He, in his anguish. Sought to protect Her body forever. He caught in his arms Falling Winona, Cradling her softly Mid vines and mid branches After the custom Of her own people. Beauteous Winona Lives in the legend Told of the cliff where Deathward she sprang Saving her people. 43 CHIEF TOM. ( Wetaug^et) No braves had he to do his will, But Chieftain Tom his name was still, He lay slow dying on the hill Where his fathers met. ''Death ? Need I, Chief Tom, fear death ? No tribe have I — not one who saith My song of war beneath his breath, But I am Chief Tom yet. "Not one to bury me aright. To fire the torch my soul to light Into the Valley of the Night,— Thither my face is set. "Not one to braid my glossy hair. To paint my face in colors rare. To give me food with souls to share On the pathway met. 44 'Not one to place the bow in hand, To signal with the burning brand That Chieftain Tom has left the band : — 'Let the tribes be met.' 'Not one to bring my aged steed, Upon whose back the war-like deed I did — In vain the white men plead For mercy. — I forget ! 'Not one of those that bury me Love Washaning, as I love thee. Here was I born — so thou shalt see His tribe and Chief Tom met." Chief Tom died then ; the white men came And buried him beneath the flame Of burning brands, and as became The last of the Wetauget. : L.ofC. 45 HOW BLACK HAWK MET HIS ENEMIES. Upon the Mississippi's bank Black Hawk, the Chieftain stood. He cast his eyes up stream and down Then backwards to the wood. No living thing, nor man nor beast, Crossed Black Hawk's sight that day. Until the country round about In midnight shadows lay. Then furtively a light canoe Its nose thrust up the stream; And furtively a light canoe Downglided like a dream. Hardly a paddle's length from shore The two canoes were kept; Thus nearer came the chieftain's foes While other foemen slept. 46 Upon tlie bank Black Hawk kept watch An arrow at his bow — And other arrows at his belt Were waiting for the foe. His tomahawk and scalping knife Within his belt he wore, As by the river's flood he stood To greet the foes it bore. They hated each the other one, That floated on the flood, For they were braves of hostile tribes That oft had shed their blood. But both had vowed Black Hawk should die, And both Avere warriors true. And while on vengeance thus they went Their hate they could subdue. They knew that one alone could not Black Hawk in battle slay; An ally each in other found. And plotted night and day. 47 And, secretly they left at dusk The war host of the chief; Each going by a different way, Each going to his grief. For Black Hawk knew how traitors looked, And knew his faithful braves, Whom he could trust by day or night, For they were men, not slaves. But these were aliens to his race. Adopted sons of squaws To take the place of those that fell In battle for the cause. They hated him with reason too, For that he slew their kin, For that they two of all their tribes Lived through the battle's din. What cared they, that their lives were spared ? Their friends for vengeance cried: — Their souls called from the spirit land ^'Send Black Hawk to our side!" 48 ''Yes, Brothers, we shall bide our time; But Black Hawk ye shall greet." They said; and never knew that he Watched them with mind discreet. He knew the treason of their hearts, And read their plan aright, He saw, although they thought he slept, Their going hence that night. He waited thus, prepared to slay, Within the midnight shade When one canoe came drifting down And noisy paddling made. The chief stirred not, but thought '"Tis strange. There should be two canoes; That awkward paddling which I hear. Is sure to be a ruse!" He shot an arrow through the brush So that the branches stirred^ And soon two answering arrows sped. Black Hawk said not a word. 49 He knew now where the second was; That both lay in the shade; And planned to lure them both beyond, To where the moonbeams played. So up the bank he shot again, Beyond the shadow line, Again two answering arrows sped, And struck in bright moon-shine. Ah, then the two canoes appeared Out in the open stream; And Black Hawk's bow in shadow twanging Twice sent feathered gleam. And twice a gurgling groan appalled The Mississippi River, Twice a shout of triumph rang Upon a last death quiver. Silence then until a splash Reveals a swimmer near; He cleaves the waters with his breast As birds the atmosphere. 50 He grips the first canoe with speed And leaning o'er its side, Like to a panther on its prey He drifts there with the tide. To the second then he swims With the blood red hand, Cuts the scalp and leaves them there While he swims to land. Then he sleeps and knows henceforth Black Hawk in peace shall sleep; O'er the traitors' ghastly faces, Manittoes vigil keep. vfvS '^..^^ - \.^^^ '' .^'\ / ^y