A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the MormonsWilliams, Elizabeth Whitney
History
A Child of the Sea; and Life Among the Mormons
Williams, Elizabeth Whitney
Beaver Island (Mich.); Latter Day Saints -- Michigan; Strang, James Jesse, 1813-1856
The Indian village was about three miles distant back from the shore or
river's mouth. There the Indians had a large settlement of about seven
hundred people in all at that time. At one time their village had
contained nearly three thousand. Since all tribes had been at peace many
of their Braves had gone among other tribes to visit and hunt. This
tribe was of the Ottawas, mixed with the Ojibewas or Chippewas. In times
of war each had been a powerful nation. Most of these had lived in the
Lake Superior region. After peace was declared part of the tribe
wandered away to the southward seeking new hunting grounds. The present
Chief's father had been a great warrior as well as his father before
him. Chief Ossawinamakee (Big Thunder), was a peaceful man, ruling his
people with great kindness. He was a noble looking man of fine personal
appearance.
THE LAKE OF ENCHANTMENT.
The beautiful lake where the village was situated the chief's father had
claimed to have found in his younger days when out on a hunting tour.
The tribe claimed the lake was enchanted. Its fish and wild fowl, ducks
and geese and other game were not to be disturbed by the hunters, but
left for "the Indian Maiden" who strolled by its shores, and for her
lover that was to come back and take her to the happy hunting grounds.
The village was situated beside this beautiful lake, called by the
tribe "The Lake of Enchantment," or where "The Spirit of Peace Always
Lived." And, truly, when seen in its quiet and wild beauty it was not
hard to believe. The legend runs that on moonlight nights the form of an
Indian maiden could be seen wandering along its quiet shores waiting for
her lover to come from the happy hunting grounds to meet her. In times
of war among the different tribes, it was told, a beautiful Indian
maiden of the Ottawas had a lover of the Huron tribe. The tribes were at
war. The lover was taken prisoner and condemned to die, to burn at the
stake. When the awful deed was taking place the Indian maiden was seen
to take her flight southward. Braves were sent to bring her back. She
forever eluded them and at last disappeared from their sight. When this
lake was discovered many years afterwards it was believed the shadowy
maiden seen was the same that had disappeared so long ago, and wandered
beside this beautiful water waiting for her lover to join her. Wild deer
came to drink of its waters, animals and fowls had no fear of the red
man. It was indeed an enchanted place.
THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER, "STAR OF THE MORNING."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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