Jackson County, Georgia - Chapter 2 (2 of 4 so headed), 1914

As the days passed into months material changes took place among the Talasee colonists. Though few in number, they had good tools and every man knew how to use them. From sun to sun and sometimes far into the night, the men labored so constantly that they soon had a sufficient number of substantial log cabins completed to live comfortably, and, as they believed in security. Euth Lahgoon had brought with her two powerful dogs called Pyth and Damon, and as all the women were experts with their rifles, they and the dogs kept a bountiful supply of meat on hand which left the men little to do besides clearing land and building houses.

The social condition of the colonists also soon began to improve. Various natives, some of them of high rank in their nation, often visited them - a few from friendly motives and others as a matter of mere curiosity. So far no hostility had been shown. Seemingly to encourage the social feature, one day Josiah Strong, after some hesitation and much circumlocution, said to Mrs. Moore : "Sister, though Umausauga is a savage, he seems to be our friend, and as the time may come when his services would be of great value to us, I wish you would visit him and open friendly relations with his daughter, of whom I believe you have heard. I dare say you will like her, and if you should, then take Ruth with you so that the girls may become acquainted, and perhaps enjoy each other's company." Mrs. Moore gave her brother a searching glance, smiled, and said playfully, "Since you show yourself to be such a splendid diplomatist, why not go yourself, Josiah?"

"Well, I could do that," said the brother demurely, "but my diplomatic code teaches me that one woman should deal with another in all such cases as this. Besides, since I think of it, the girl has, or I suppose she yet has, enough real fine merino to make her an elegant dress. We sent the cloth by her father before we had seen her, and our kindness has certainly had a good effect. Of course she does not know what to do with such a charming dress pattern, and it is a shame for it to be used as a mere wrapper. Then- please go, sister, and in your own charming way, offer to cut and make her a dress in first-class style, and I am free to say you'll never regret it."

"It may be, Josiah, that the girl is not as ignorant as you suppose her to be. I have heard that she is very handsome and that her deportment approaches that of a refined lady."

"I don't think Banna a fool; but as her father told me that she is a native of the wilderness and had never been anywhere else, I take it for granted that she knows nothing of English manners and customs. I gladly admit that her deportment seems to approach elegance and refinement; but I can account for it only on the theory that God in his providence has, for some reason, implanted something in her nature that is as broad as earth and as high as heaven. Then so much the better and greater the reason why you should comply with my request."

"Granted; but how would it do to have such a pretty girl, dressed as you want Banna to be, here in this wilderness with three such hotheaded young men as you, Leon Shore and Abe Trent are ? ' '

"Why not include Joe Starr and Ed Belknap?" "Oh! they are such incorrigible old bachelors they would not be in the way. If you want heavy work done or a hard battle fought, call on Joe and Ed; but not to make love to a girl."

"That seems to be true; but you need fear no rivalry. Ruth has the exclusive control of the hearts, heads, hands and feet of Leon Shore and Abel Trent. She is the prime cause of them being here. As you say they are both so hot-headed that I sometimes feel concerned about the final result."

A pause followed. Brother and sister seemed to be pondering over all they had said, and speculating upon the probable outcome of the future. Finally the sister said thoughtfully, "I admit that some of your argument is very good, especially that part of it which pleads for the friendship of the natives around us. Therefore, with some misgivings I consent to comply with your request at a convenient time during to-morrow afternoon." "I thank you, sister, and again say you will not regret it," replied the young man in tones of deepest thankfulness.

The truth was Mr. Strong had, at first sight, fallen deeply in love with the shy Indian girl whom he had seen at the old town of Snodon. Though a strong man he fought against it with all his power; but like Banquo's ghost, it would not down. Unsought and unbidden, an unfaltering love for the unknown girl entered into every fibre of his heart and took full possession. Gentle as a lamb among his friends and as dreadful as a maddened lion amid his enemies, it was strange that an untaught child of the forest should bring him to his knees at the first shot; but, even in spite of himself, it was so.

Johnson Josiah Strong was our hero 's full name ; but the first part is generally omitted in this narrative because he seldom used it himself, perhaps for the reason that his uncle. Gov. Josiah Tatnall, for whom he was named, had also dropped Johnson on account of its inconvenient length.

Josiah Strong was an ensign at the siege of Augusta where he carried the national standard with distinguished bravery, and had one finger shot from his left hand. He was 22 years old at the time of his arrival at Talasee, stood six feet and four inches in his shoes, and was well proportioned. He was as fearless as he was strong and athletic, and as fleet on foot as any man that ever ran against him. Beneath a rich profusion of curly black hair there flashed a pair of coal-black eyes that always commanded respect and attention. Yet he had a kind heart and a sympathetic nature which, when added to his handsome features, caused him to have many close friends.

The to-morrow evening of which Mr. Strong and his sister had spoken came none too soon for the anxious brother. They went to the shoals at the time appointed, silent and thoughtful. There being neither bridge nor foot-log across the water, Mrs. Moore, seated upon her brother's strong right arm was quickly carried to the opposite bank. Though Umausaugua could speak broken English to a limited extent, they decided upon such Creek words as they thought would be necessary to use on the occasion. The

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 seated 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 material, 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 followers 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 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 arrows were lying near his feet, and seemed to be in excellent condition. 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 ligament 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 concealed 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 before 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 securing 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,

"0 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 English words with a sweet, musical accent that is charming. Besides 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 fullblood 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 Beautiful, as I must hereafter call her, knows nothing of wearing a bonnet. 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 surprising 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- 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 mentioned 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 importance. Should you ever learn what was in it, please tell me."

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 returned to the wigwam on the hill to see if the fit was satisfactory. The form to be fitted was so nearly perfect that no alterations 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 wondering why a horse should be in that secluded forest, the lady thought it imprudent to ask questions, and returned home. She reluctantly 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 proverbial 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 horseback, 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 exquisitely formed shoulders, and her deep blue eyes, mild when in repose, but flashing defiance when aroused, set off her florid complexion 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-

As Ruth stood at the side of Alborak, her beautiful black horse, the scenes around her meant more than the whirr of all the machinery 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 hunting 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 permission 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,

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 impressive.

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 th|it 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.

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 several 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, "Forward 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 oif 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.