44

42
As they brooded over their wrongs, the scarcity of rations, and miserable treatment, imagine with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who was to save and rescue them. How they hoped and prayed, only to be deluded and again cast into the depths of despair ! Even this last boon and comfort was refused by their conquerors; for no sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached Washington when orders were issues to suppress the worship of any Indian who should dare to pray to his God after the dictates of his own conscience--or at least to stop the Ghost Dances.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INDIAN.
A Legend--Respectfully dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, 3rd Cavalry, U.S.A.

There is a legend 'mong the plumed race
Which strange though it be, their origin does trace
To days primeval, when the mighty plan,
With touch most wonderful was crowned with man.

With air oracular it has been told,
By Chieftains, nature wise, so very old,
Who, solemn sworn, as were their fathers too,
This wonderful tradition seal as true.

It was the season when the sighin breeze
Bestrewed the ground with Autumn painted leaves -
When nature robed herself in rich array;
Her vesture interwove with sad and gay.

The buffalo, the elk and fallow deer
In quiet grated, with naught to harm or fear,
For yet unborn the stealthy hunter foe.
Unwrought the murd'rous flint and arched bow.

Sublimity and grandeur did pervade
The sun-tipped mountain-top and forest shade,
As silence, most profound, with thoughtful train,
The Universe spell-bound with magic chain.

Lo, the Great Spirit gazed the scene upon
And saw perfection in all things but one;
There were the hills and dales, and seas and land,
And landscapes everywhere supremely grand.
And fish and fowl, and beast on mount and plain,
But who t' enjoy and over all to reign?

So from the border of a brooklet's way,
Lo, the Great Spirit took a pieve of clay,
And with a touch and look both sad and sweet,
Did mould it into form most exquisite.

Then breathed He on this hting summetrically formed,
When lo, it into life and being warmed,
And in the presence of its Maker stood,
A female beauty-type of womanhood.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Night came ; the constellations bright,
Shed o'er the earth their distant, twinkling light.
And through their mellow coruscated sheen
Cast pearly tears upon this beauty-queen,
Who, tired, reposed in quiet on the ground
With senses wrapped in balmy sleep profound.

How passing lobely, how enchanting she,
Pure, spotless as her own virginity,
Like "lilly of the vale" or budding rose
Upon the parent - Earth, in sweet repose.

In semblance of a star was one above,
Who, gazing on this beauty, fell in love,
For who, or which, or what such charms could see
And not be filled with love's own ectasy?

And, as the story goes, this brilliant star
Which did outshine the other ones by far,
Assuming manly form, rushed from above,
And clasped the maiden in the embrace of love.

This flaming star, or sprite, or man, or what,
With fullest unrestraint and passions hot,
Imprinted fiery kiss, again, again,
Before she could her liberty regain.

The maid so courted by the man-like flame,
Blushed deep, through native modesty, not shame
These blushes overspread the virgin, lo,
Were brazen by the wooer's ardent glow,
And thus became unstamped indelibly.
A signet royal of her modesty.

From her - To-ka-pa* - that her cherished name,
The red man of the Western Prairies came.

G. C. C.
------------------------------------------

*To-ka-pa (pronounced as if spelled To-Kai-pah) is a word in the Teton dialogue of the Dakota or Sioux language, signifying first-born.

LATE MILITARY REFERENCES.

During the past year much has been said relative to Cody, the Wild West, Indians, etc., of an uncalled-for nature, and as "an open confession is good for the soul," we freely admit being annoyed. Who like their motives miscontrued? Who can possibly believe it incompatible with honor to go the even tenor of his inclinations, when none but the hypercritical can possibly find a flaw? If it correct that "he who preaches the gospel must live by the gospel," most certainly must he who has never held an interest in a Golconda live by that line of enterprise he finds most compatible to embark in, if it be within the bounds of law, order and morality. Therefore it is that this compilation is rendered necessarily pointedly personal in eulogistic extracts as a cross-counter, when a more modest presentation of the Wild West's status would be justly considered as meeting the requirements. But many noted instances occur to the writer where the purpose would have been best served by the plain statement of facts. The aim of existence is to achieve happiness, and nine-tenths of mankind would be happy if the other tenth would attend to their own business, or seek information before exploding. To explain a mooted question! GENERAL CODY holds his commission in the NATIONAL GUARD of the United States (State of Nebraska), an honorable position, and as high as he can possibly attain. His connection with the Regular United States Army has covered a continuous period of fifteen years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in the most troublous era of that superb corp's Western history, as Guide, Scout and Chief of Scouts - a position unknown in any other service, and for the confidential nature of which see General

42
As they brooded over their wrongs, the scarcity of rations, and miserable treatment, imagine with what joy they hailed the coming of Him who was to save and rescue them. How they hoped and prayed, only to be deluded and again cast into the depths of despair ! Even this last boon and comfort was refused by their conquerors; for no sooner had the news of the coming Saviour reached Washington when orders were issues to suppress the worship of any Indian who should dare to pray to his God after the dictates of his own conscience--or at least to stop the Ghost Dances.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NORTH-AMERICAN INDIAN.
A Legend--Respectfully dedicated to Lieut. F. H. HARDIE, 3rd Cavalry, U.S.A.

There is a legend 'mong the plumed race

LATE MILITARY REFERENCES.

During the past year much has been said relative to Cody, the Wild West, Indians, etc., of an uncalled-for nature, and as "an open confession is good for the soul," we freely admit being annoyed. Who like their motives miscontrued? Who can possibly believe it incompatible with honor to go the even tenor of his inclinations, when none but the hypercritical can possibly find a flaw? If it correct that "he who preaches the gospel must live by the gospel," most certainly must he who has never held an interest in a Golconda live by that line of enterprise he finds most compatible to embark in, if it be within the bounds of law, order and morality. Therefore it is that this compilation is rendered necessarily pointedly personal in eulogistic extracts as a cross-counter, when a more modest presentation of the Wild West's status would be justly considered as meeting the requirements. But many noted instances occur to the writer where the purpose would have been best served by the plain statement of facts. The aim of existence is to achieve happiness, and nine-tenths of mankind would be happy if the other tenth would attend to their own business, or seek information before exploding. To explain a mooted question! GENERAL CODY holds his commission in the NATIONAL GUARD of the United States (State of Nebraska), an honorable position, and as high as he can possibly attain. His connection with the Regular United States Army has covered a continuous period of fifteen years, and desultory connection of thirty years, in the most troublous era of that superb corp's Western history, as Guide, Scout and Chief of Scouts - a position unknown in any other service, and for the confidential nature of which see General