USA > Georgia > Jackson County > The early history of Jackson county, Georgia. "The writings of the late G.J.N. Wilson, embracing some of the early history of Jackson county". The first settlers, 1784; formation and boundaries to the present time; records of the Talasee colony > Part 5
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Indian's wigwam which they had learned was called Adabor, stood on the hill, solitary and unadorned, something more than two hundred yards from the shoals.
Waving, as was sometimes the custom of a peaceful visitor, a white handkerchief, Mrs. Moore slowly and a little anxiously, approached the humble home of her neighbor. Umausauga recognized her at once and offered his hand which was eagerly grasped by the lady. Neither knew much of the other's language; but they managed to be understood reasonably well.
When Mrs. Moore entered the wigwam, a young girl was seat- ed upon a bear's hide which was spread upon the ground floor to its full extent. She wore a robe of spotles red deer skins, and being gathered at the waist by a blood red belt of the same mate- rial, the effect was really charming. She still wore the threefold strand of beads; but the large scarlet one rested upon her throat instead of her breast as before. She was busily engaged in making a fox skin moccasin, and judging by one already completed, the work was being neatly and substantially done.
In strict accordance with Indian etiquette the girl did not raise her head. Understanding the cause of this reserve Mrs. Moore kneeled upon the bear skin and offered her hand. It was quickly grasped, and their eyes met. A moment more and they were in each other's arms; and being unable to think of anything more appropriate, the visitor sang, in tones of soft and mellow cadence, the good old song of Barbary Allen. Who fails to know that music thrills the savage heart no less than that of the philosopher ? Its rhythmic sweep carries all creatures along with it from the tiny insect that burrows in the ground to the lordly lion that roams upon its surface. Thus it was when a Christian woman first met a child of nature in the wilderness, and thus it was, when many years after, they parted for the last time and both were fol- lowers of the Man of Sorrows. How strangely different from the usual meeting of the Anglo-Saxon with the Red Man of the west.
Umausauga was deeply affected by the scene just witnessed, and so was a stranger whom Mrs. Moore had not seen until she arose from the bear-skin mat. He was leaning against the wall of the wigwam in a somewhat darkened corner. and evidently much
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excited also. She judged him to be of medium size, of slender form and quite young. His dress was composed of skins of various kinds, and around his neck and waist were belts from which hung bear and eagle claws alternately. On the back of his head was a kind of pad which projected, in bristling array, a row of long eagle feathers. A tomahawk, bow and small quiver of ar- rows were lying near his feet, and seemed to be in excellent condi- tion. His name was Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, Ir-tir-mir-mir-mis-co, is perhaps, as near as the English can speak it.
Lying on the bear skin was a small mussel shell exquisitely polished and the parts apparently still united by the usual liga- ment or hinge on one side. Notwithstanding this, the girl took a string from the eye of her bone needle and carefully tied it around the shell. Then watching for an opportunity when the strange young Indian was not looking at her, she quickly con- cealed it in the folds of her robe, or maybe in a pocket. While tying the shell, Mrs. Moore noticed that the girl used the words eto thaska which, unfortunately, were not in the list furnished by her brother; but seeing a package which was evidently the red merino cloth tied with a deer skin throng, she pointed to the bundle and said "eto thasca." The girl looked surprised, but without hesitation untied the package and spread the cloth be- fore her strange visitor.
It was now that Mrs. Moore learned that Banna, the girl whom she found sitting on a bear skin, could speak broken English, even better than her father, her accent being clearer and more distinct. Having already accomplished the first part of her mission by se- curing the good will of a neighboring family, she found it an easy matter to effect the second part, even without using half the Creek words she had learned for the purpose.
The result was that Banna readily understood what her visitor wanted, and was glad to have a dress made in first-class style and in accordance with the fashion of the times, that is to say, a closely fitting bodice, ample skirt and flowing sleeves. Having taken the necessary measurements, and promising to return, as in modern times, every day or so until the fit was completed, Mrs. Moore,
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carrying the merino cloth with her, took leave of her friends and joined her brother at the river.
"O Josiah!" she said, with an anxious tone, "I hardly know what to say. That girl is one of the most beautiful as well as most lovely beings I ever saw. Though a savage, she seems to have some knowledge of civilization. There must be some mistake! I do not believe she is an Indian!" "Then why do you call her a savage?" asked the brother dubiously. "Oh, some mysterious fate has placed her in savage hands. Now I think of it, I am more than half ashamed I called her one. Why she speaks a few Eng- lish words with a sweet, musical accent that is charming. Be- sides her long, wavy hair convinces me that she does not belong to the red race. Then too, an Indian is incapable of giving the clean-cut enunciation that she gives to some of the words she speaks. Forgive me for calling her a savage." "I freely forgive you. I did not know that Banna knew any English words at all; but I do know that her hair is as straight as an arrow-there is neither wave nor curl about it. And I fully believe she is a full- blood Indian." "Why brother, you are mistaken. Only a few minutes ago I twined my own fingers among her silken tresses, and they were as full of waves as the ocean when a gentle breeze plays over it. And I well remember that when I was smoothing them over her forehead I could see her Saxon blood playing hide and seek beneath her sunburned features, for Banna the Beauti- ful, as I must hereafter call her, knows nothing of wearing a bon- net. It was then, too, she, for the first time, turned her large, lustrous eyes full upon me. They were soft and liquid as those of a gazelle, and as I returned the look, deep and sympathetic as heart can feel, tears gathered in them. In all America there is not a native from whom a pale face can thus draw a single tear."
"Have it your own way for the present, Letty. A few hours or days at most may decide which is right. Banna's English is sur- prising to me; but is easily accounted for. Her father lived for several months on the coast when he naturally picked up the little he knows of our language, and in turn his daughter has learned it from him. As to the play of her blood, her musical accent and the gathering of tears in her luminous eyes, I attri-
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bute all that to her superior nature which, from the little I have seen and all you have told me, I readily grant. As to her hair you are simply mistaken about that; but wavy or straight means nothing to me. I am truly glad that you too, love her. So it only remains for me to acknowledge the 'corn' and ask you to help me win her heart as she has mine. Say, Letty, will you help me?"
Mrs. Moore was seated on a way-side rock where she mused long and tearfully before answering. When a little composed she looked up and with quivering lips answered, "It seems strange and sudden to say so; but I can only answer yes! A very queen should be proud to own her as a sister, even if she were an Indian !"
When the grateful brother had expressed his thanks, his sister gave him a full account of her visit, saying in part, "I found and left at the wigwam a fellow whom I suppose story writers would call a young Indian brave. He sported about all the old toggery of his race, together with a terrible name so long that I do not remember it. I believe he is making love to our Banna, and if so, it may mean trouble in the future."
"Never mind about that. Umausauga has incidently mention- ed that fellow to me. Though a sub-chief, apparently, I have learned that he is not in favor at Abador." "I'm glad of that; and have another incident to mention that greatly excites my curiosity. When I first approached Banna I happened to notice a mussel shell, such as we see on the rocks here, but well polished, lying half concealed on her bear skin seat. For some reason she slyly concealed it in a fold of her wrapper. I am anxious to know what is in it, not merely to satisfy a woman's curiosity; but to confirm my belief that the little incident means something of im- portance. Should you ever learn what was in it, please tell me." "Certainly-"
They were joined by Leon Shore and Ruth Lahgoon, and the subject was dropped for the time. All four of the ladies belonging to the colony were good with the needle, but Letty Moore was a professional seamstress. All eagerly began work on the first fashionable dress ever made inside the present limits of Jackson County. When it was cut and basted together Mrs. Moore re-
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turned to the wigwam on the hill to see if the fit was satisfac- tory. The form to be fitted was so nearly perfect that no altera- tions were necessary. While this was surprising, it was more so to find that the girl's hair was, after all, "as straight as an arrow."
While in vain looking around for the mysterious shell, the neigh of a horse was heard in the woods near by. Though wonder- ing why a horse should be in that secluded forest, the lady thought it imprudent to ask questions, and returned home. She reluc- tantly acknowledged that the hair of her idolized girl was straight; but was ready to be qualified that it was full of waves when she saw her before.
The report that a strange horse was in the neighboring forest created some suspicion, and curious to say, Ruth Lahgoon was selected to investigate the matter. This young woman, then in her seventeenth year, was an anomalous combination of female modesty and loveliness, and of indomitable courage and heroic fortitude. Though a small girl, she was as active as the prover- bial cat, and to repluse her was to invite another battle more fierce than before. As an expert with the rifle and as a rider on horse- back, whether over the open field or through the tangled forest, she had no superior. And Ruth was a very beautiful girl. Her golden hair which fell in rich, curling ringlets over her ex- quisitely formed shoulders, and her deep blue eyes, mild when in repose, but flashing defiance when aroused, set off her florid com- plexion to great advantage. Her smile and her manners brought most men to her feet. The only reason why Josiah Strong had not, years before, loved Ruth Lahgoon, was because he knew that her heart had, almost from childhood, belonged to Leon Shore, one of his best personal friends.
The day following Letty Moore's second visit to Adabor was an ideal one for a bold horseback gallop through the woods. The morning was fair and balmy, and save the wash of the water over the rocks, not a sound was heard to break the reigning silence. No one in all the world, either ancient or modern, had ever thought of the rattle and clash of the machinery that now manu-
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factures lightning there to run complicated systems of wheels and pulleys many miles away.
As Ruth stood at the side of Alborak, her beautiful black horse, the scenes around her meant more than the whirr of all the ma- chinery in the world. By common consent he was all her own. She had trained him from a colt and ridden him all the way from the seacoast to within plain view of the mountains. Though large and powerful, he yielded to every pull of the rein, understood and obeyed all her commands, and when left to himself followed her as a shadow. Often when seen running in the distance his feet did not seem to touch the ground, and his powers of endurance were unknown.
Alborak's equipment was a light double-reined bridle with martingale to match. His saddle was light also, and of English made. Around its right side was a half hoop made of whalebone. A light rifle was strapped to the hoop, and from the right horn of the saddle hung a long knife in a steel scabbard. His head, trim and tapering to the muzzle, was held high, and now and then he clamped his bits. He was waiting for the signal to be off and away.
His mistress still stood at his side, tapping the toe of her dainty boot with a small rattan which she sometimes carried. She wore a closely fitting buckskin habit, that the brush through which she often dashed might not tear her dress. On her head was a jaunty cap from which fluttered a single white ribbon, and in which her curly hair was carefully rolled, the cap being held in place by a strap beneath her chin. Thus arrayed she too, was waiting- waiting for her dogs, Pyth and Damon, that were trailing a fox in the distant woods.
Becoming impatient, she gave a long, keen blast with the hunt- ing horn that hung at her side, and presently the dogs appeared at a full run. One bound and their mistress was in the saddle and at once horse, rider, dogs and all were off at a brisk trot.
Hitherto Ruth had not crosed the river, though she had per- mission of the lord over there to do so at will; and now that her delegated mission to search for the unknown horse led her into the excluded territory, she boldly rode towards the shoals.
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Having been pilotted across the river by Leon Shore, of whose services she had no more need on that occasion than she had for another horse, she went west, intending to make a detour to the left and return by way of Adabor. In that way she hoped to learn something of the strange horse and at the same time gratify her anxiety to see the famous beauty of whom she had heard so much.
As the bold heroine advanced she became lost in thought. The huge trees with their ponderous branches reaching far and wide as if to grasp everything around them in their embrace, obscured the sun above and dwarfed all undergrowth below them. From their cool shade wild animals of various kinds scurried away in all directions, and they were so numerous that a constant effort was required to keep the dogs from following them. Life in a vast primeval forest through which only the savage has roamed, and where the sound of the huntsman's horn and the bay of his hound have never been heard, is at once grand, solemn and im- pressive.
Such was the situation of Ruth Lahgoon, the gentle, and yet heroic huntress from south Georgia. But Ruth was not looking for game that day. However she had unstrapped her rifle and was carrying it in her hand, ready for any emergency that was likely to occur. When descending into a deep ravine she noticed that Damon's hair was standing erect on his back, and that he stopped and began to sniff the air. Presently he trotted to the left in hostile attitude, and looking in that direction, she discovered a panther preparing to spring upon the dog from a horizontal limb of one of the great trees. Instantly the crack of a rifle, perhaps the first that had ever awoke the sleeping echoes of that gloomy forest, pierced the still morning air. With a death-scream the animal fell to the ground in dying struggles. Snatching her hunting knife from its scabbard, both she and Pyth hastened to the rescue of Damon. But the knife was unnecessary, the beast was quickly torn into fragments.
Having tasted blood the dogs were still more anxious for the chase. They constantly watched their mistress for the signal of pursuit. It was not given and the dogs did not go.
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The passing of the panther aroused the solitary girl from her reverie. Consulting a pocket compass which she always carried when in the woods, she found that she had gone too far to the west. However when on Alborak distance signified little to his rider. She had heard that the Okoloco Trail was to the south, and wishing to strike it, rode in that direction. Having gone sev- eral miles, her horse stopped suddenly and gave a low, sharp snort. She had never known him to do that way before. With one forefoot up the dogs stopped also and stood listening. Ruth, as if talking to herself, said softly : "What in the world is up now my boys?" She could neither see nor hear anything unusual. Gently patting her horse on the shoulder, she continued, "For- ward a little, Alborak, just a little, my boy." With head erect and nostrils distended the horse slowly advanced as long as he felt the gentle tapping. If she had struck him heavily he would have been off and away as if on the wings of the wind. But when she stopped he stood still and so did the dogs. As yet neither had shown any sign of present danger. Their actions indicated surprise only.
Just as the wondering girl was thinking of another forward movement she, to her utter astonishment, distinctly saw a woman flit like a bird, from the ground to the back of a snow-white horse. He was standing with arched neck, inflated nostrils and anxious look beneath a large spreading tree about one hundred yards distant.
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CHAPTER III. THE WHITE LADIES VISIT ADABOR.
No one in any position was ever any more astonished than Ruth Lahgoon when, in that dreary and infrequently visited part of the country, she saw a woman pass like a shadow from the ground to the back of a horse. Somehow she instinctively knew who the strange woman was, and approaching nearer, the spotted robe, the long flowing hair, the well rounded shoulders, the athletic movement, and even the presence of a horse, all united to satisfy her that she had unexpectedly found the mysterious beauty who had played such sad havoc with the heart of a good personal friend of whom she had, more than once, came near giving her own. It was Banna at Calamit!
Remembering the flag of truce used by Mrs. Moore at Adabor, Ruth waved her handkerchief and approached near the large tree at a slow walk. The white horse seemed anxious to advance also; but his rider, evidently not knowing just what to do, re- strained him. Both horses soon began to neigh as if glad to meet each other, and they were.
One of the girls knew some Creek words and the other about an equal number of English ones, and by using them together with a multiplicity of signs, they managed to understand each other fairly well. But to understand words and signs was a small matter compared with another lesson they learned at this, their first meeting-to love each other so devotedly that it grew with their growth, strengthened with their strength, and died only when they died, if, indeed, such love ever dies. Verily, no- it lives forever !
As was afterwards learned, Banna at first thought that Ruth was some good spirit who, because of her beauty and lovelincss, had been liberated from Nodoroc, and that all horses were white until changed to black by some demon in that horrid place. It was a long time before any of the colonists knew just what Nodoroc meant except that it was a very bad place. On the
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other hand Ruth, though she knew the Indian girl was not a queen, thought that because of her regal appearance as she still sat on her horse, ought to be one, and acted accordingly. Know- ing that the throne of an Indian queen consisted of a grass mat covered with white feathers, usually those of the white crane common to the country, she spread her handkerchief on the ground and motioned Banna to jump from her horse upon it. Quickly comprehending the honor intended, and not considering herselt worthy of it, she jumped with elegant ease a little to one side, and spreading her arms, the girls were at once in a long, loving embrace. The only words spoken were, "No wonder that Mr. Strong and his sister love you!" It is a remarkable thing that an untaught child of nature should refuse an offered honor, and at the same time show her gratitude for it by embracing one whom she was just beginning to learn was not a spirit, but a real being like herself. Though the result was not expected, both girls were always proud of their first meeting beneath the great spreading tree at Calamit, the Place of Rest.
When at last they thought of their soquillas, the word for horses in both the Creek and Cherokee languages, they saw them eating grass near together. Their long isolation from horse society made them feel close akin. No doubt of that.
"The twin sisters," as Banna and Ruth were afterwards called, seated themselves on the rock corner of Beadland, and entered into a long conversation by using such words as they knew and by making such signs as were necessary. While thus engaged two Indians came walking along the trail, and, seeing the girls, both went near and one of them, whom Ruth knew by Mrs. Moore's description was Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco, asked Banna if she was traveling homeward or towards Snodon. The answer being somewhat evasive, was unsatisfactory, and the fellow whose name is too long to be often repeated, squatted flat upon the ground at the girl's feet, spoke something of his love and of his intention to visit her father about night.
The conduct of one seemed to enbolden the other, whose name turned out to be Wokolog, and he too squatted at Ruth's feet. As he did so he passed one hand over her cheek and began to toy
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with the rattan which she still carried. Quick as thought she drew a long, glittering stiletto, such as many Italian women carry to this day, and such as many Americans ought still to carry, from her bosom, and threw back her arm ready to strike; but the flashing blue eyes that seemed to look through him and the dag- ger that glittered in her steady hand, sent him backwards be- yond striking distance, where he gained his feet and walked away sullenly. The other was evidently much astonished, but also went away laughing at the discomfiture of his companion.
While seated on the rock Ruth learned several things that were interesting to her. She had hoped to forever settle the dispute about Banna's hair, and she had settled the matter well enough to know that sometimes it was straight and sometimes it was wavy. When she first met her, the first thing noticed was the girl's long, silken tresses of entirely straight hair. While seated together she carefully noted that it was full of waves-beautiful waves which followed each other in constant succession from one end to the other. So Mr. Strong and his sister were both right, but how, she could not understand.
Another discovery made was that while the Indian girl, if she were an Indian, still wore the threefold strand of beads, there was a fourth strand of plaited hair, apparently from her own head, around her neck, and that to this strand was suspended just such a mussel shell as Mrs. Moore had described. A singular feature was that the wearer was careful to keep the shell con- cealed under the collar of her wrapper, but did not always suc- ceed in doing so.
Still another discovery that afforded the observant Ruth much satisfaction was the cold and distant manner in which Banna received the advances of the long-named Indian. After he went away she did not hesitate to say how much her father disliked both Yrtyrmyrmyrmysco and Wokolog, the latter being so named because the word is applied to anything known to the Indian mind as low, mean and cunning.
Ruth Lahgoon had allowed the fire that once burned in her breast for Josiah Strong to smoulder in ashes; but she was still his devoted friend, and never failed to work in his favor on all
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proper occasions. Hence her gladness to learn that there was no chance for the Indian to supplant him. Indeed the nature of both girls revolted at the thought.
The sun was far on his western journey when Ruth consulted her compass and pointed towards the shoals. The other under- stood the significance of the action, and in the musical tones on which Mrs. Moore so fondly dwelt, called out, "Iro ! Iro!" The white horse quickly ran to her, and lightly stroking his forehead, she again repeated his name in low and gentle tones as musical as before.
"So Iro is the name of her pretty horse. He is doubtless the one heard by Mrs. Moore, and finding him in possession of her well-loved girl, my mission is accomplished," was the mental conclusion of Ruth. "Iro! Iro!" she repeaded, to impress the name on her mind. Iro was indeed a beautiful animal. Though not so large as Alborak, he was of good size, and as elegantly formed. He was a pure white except his mane and tail which were of a light canary hue. The yellow tint was afterwards found to be artificial; but it certainly enhanced the beauty of the animal, and was then as appropriate for a white horse as the painting of a lady's face is now. The training of Iro and Albo- rak was different; but the result was the same. The white came when his name was called, the black when he heard a peculiar whistle given by his mistress, and by her only.
Iro's equipment consisted of a bridle and a sidesaddle, both of Spanish make. From the right hand horn of the saddle hung a bow and a small quiver of arrows. It had no hoop, but a toma- hawk of curious shape was tied to the rear. On the small right- hand skirt the flag of Spain was imprinted in good style. Be- neath the flag was the following inscription: DON MAR DE VEDO X ELANCYDYNE.
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