AUTUMN sas r ADELA1DE 



(An Indian Fragment) 



'VT 7TTH stately, solemn tread, and silent, moccasined feet 



v across the mountains, and down the sloping kills, through 



many a valley and winding defile, comes the Great Chief Autumn, 

 to visit the land where dwelt his forefathers or yore.= 





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9)-. 



Gorgeous in -warpaint; and scarlet and yellow dyed feathers 

 and quills, with tne scalps or numberless flower victims. 



At his threatening aspect tne timid plants grow pale, and 

 shrink with tear.= 



Suddenly appearing in trie open, he hesitates, as if to gather 

 his forces for a fierce onslaught; then, with a savage war 

 whoop, he hurls hack at the still unconquered trees the keen 

 edged hatchet of his wind; and reluctantly, they drop their 

 leaves, in token of surrender and defeat. But he, indifferent 

 unconcerned stalks along, in all the pride and arrogance of 

 his race.= 



Gazing over the land where his fathers hunted and fished 

 hefore the coming of the hated Pale Face, who tricked him 

 and robbed him of his own, his heart burns with a fierce desire 

 for revenge, and he plans it well.= 



Lurking hehmd underbrush and boulder, hiding in amhush 

 through many a warm, sunny day; resting, and patiently 

 waiting his chance, deceiving his enemies into the belief that 

 he is still far away, he stoops low and creeps stealthily on; 

 now, hounding like a deer from rock to rock, he wakes the 

 Fire Serpent, that slumbers. mid the dead mosses and leaves, 

 and starts him on a path of. destruction across the wooded 

 slopes. 



Darkness reveals the devouring monster crawling and 

 wriggling his way, like some huge Glow >A/orm on the moun- 

 tain heights, that leaves a scorched and blackened trail wher- 

 ever he has passed, tarnishing the morning sun with his murky 

 breath. , = 



Glutted with revenge, seeing the devastation he has wrought 



spent with weariness and fatigue. Autumn, pillowed on the 



rounded hills, stretches his gaunt form to rest.= = 



There, sleeping under the quiet stars, his ever-pursuing foe, 

 Frost-in-the-Night, comes suddenly upon him and treacher- 

 ously pierces him to the heart' = 



For many days, borne on the wings of the wind from the 

 farthest west, comes the moaning and the wailing of the 

 Squaws: and the bending Pines wave their dark funereal 

 plumes -where the Great Chief lies, stark and dead.= 



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