Wild Western Scenes: A Narrative of Adventures in the Western Wilderness, Wherein the Exploits of Daniel Boone, the Great American Pioneer are Particularly DescribedJones, J. B. (John Beauchamp)
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Wild Western Scenes: A Narrative of Adventures in the Western Wilderness, Wherein the Exploits of Daniel Boone, the Great American Pioneer are Particularly Described
Jones, J. B. (John Beauchamp)
Boone, Daniel, 1734-1820 -- Fiction; Western stories; Wilderness areas -- Fiction
“Keep silent, Joe, or else leave us,” again interposed Glenn.
“I’ll go catch my fish. I had just found a frog, and was in the act of
catching it, when I saw the sq—the—_her_—and I thought then that I
would just run home and let you know she was coming before I took it.
But I remember where it was, and I’ll have it now in less than no
time.” Saying this, Joe set off up the valley again, though not very
well pleased with himself for betraying so much alarm when there was so
little danger.
“La-u-na, I am no Indian,” said William, at length, in the language of
her tribe, and much affected by her searching stare.
“But you were once the young chief that led our warriors to battle, and
caught La-u-na’s heart. I heard you were a pale-face after you were
taken away from us; and I thought if you would not fly back to La-u-na,
like the pigeon that escapes from the talons of the eagle and returns
to its mate, then I would lose you—forget you—hate you. I tried, but I
could not do it. When the white moon ran up to the top of the sky, and
shone down through the tall trees in my face, I would ever meet you in
the land of dreams, with the bright smile you used to have when you
were wont to put your arm around me and draw me so gently to your
breast. I was happy in those dreams. But they would not stay. The
night-hawk flew low and touched my eyes with his wings as he flapped
by, and I awoke. Then my breast was cold and my cheeks were wet. The
katydids gathered in the sweet rose-bushes about me and sung
mournfully. La-u-na was unhappy. La-u-na must see her Young Eagle, or
go to the land of spirits. She called her wild steed to her side, and,
plucking these flowers to test his fleetness, sprang upon him and flew
hither. He is now grazing in the prairie at the head of the valley; and
here are the blossoms, still alive, fresh and sweet.” The trembling and
tearful girl then gently and sadly strewed the flowers over the grass
at her feet.
“Sweet La-u-na!” cried William, snatching up the blossoms and pressing
them to his lips, “forgive the young chief; he will still love you and
never leave you again.”
“No—no—no!” said the girl, shaking her head in despair; “the pale face
youth will not creep through the silent and shady forest with La-u-na
any more. He will gather no more ripe grapes for the Trembling Fawn. He
will not bathe again in the clear waters with La-u-na. He will give her
no more rings of roses to put on her breast. The Trembling Fawn is
wounded. She must find a cool shade and lie down. The dove will perch
over her and wail. She will sing a low song. She will close her eyes
and die.”
Oh, no! cried William, placing his arms around her tenderly.
“Oh, no!” cried William, placing his arms around her tenderly; “La-u-na
must not die; or, if she does, she shall not die alone. Why will not
La-u-na dwell with me, among my friends?” The girl started, and
exhibited signs of mingled delight and doubt.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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