Graham's Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 5, November 1841Various
General
Graham's Magazine, Vol. XIX, No. 5, November 1841
Various
Literature -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals
“In the afternoon the body of the generous Indian was washed on shore.
With every mark of respect it was conveyed to the town, and preparations
made for its interment on the following day at the point, in a spot once
pointed out, by the chief, to young Egerton. The grief of this
affectionate boy burst without restraint, as he leaned over the body of
his departed friend, and his tears flowed afresh, when he was shown a
folded paper, which had been found in his bosom. It was wet through, and
contained the faded belt, the treasured gift of Rosalie.
“Intelligence of the sad event was conveyed to the sister of the chief,
and the next day, accompanied by her husband and sons, and several
warriors of the Youcómaco tribe, Oskwena arrived, just as the funeral
procession was moving to the grave. Time had altered this once beautiful
daughter of the forest; there was a mildness in her look of grief, as
she left the canoe, and led by her two sons, approached the open grave,
where, seating herself by its side, she silently awaited the mournful
train that bore her brother to his last home. She uttered a faint cry as
her eye rested on the coffin, and her whole frame shook with agitation,
when it was lowered from her sight.
“The chiefs arranged themselves in gloomy silence around the grave of
him, who, in early youth, had been the boast of their tribe, and heard,
rather than listened, to the funeral service. It was scarcely ended,
when the hitherto restrained grief of Oskwena burst forth. She tore from
her dishevelled locks the rude ornaments of her tribe, scattering them
on the ground, but a necklace of beads she retained in her hand, and
wept bitterly as she looked on it.
“‘It was thy gift, Wiccónsat,’ said the mourner, ‘thy face glowed with
youth and hope on the happy day thou gavest it. Our aged father blessed
his children, for he had not then passed to the spirit-land above. The
beads are bright yet, but thou art faded and gone. I can gaze on them no
more, they shall be hid with thee,’ and she dropped them into the grave.
The spectators looked on her with pity and disturbed her not, as in a
low voice she chaunted a wild funeral melody. When she ceased, several
young maidens of St. Mary’s, arrayed in white, approached, and scattered
flowers around the grave. The oldest son of Oskwena stood, with his
father, among the chiefs. To him the beauty of the white maidens was
new, for he had never before been allowed to visit the town.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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