Jackson County, Georgia - Chapter 3 (2 of 5 so headed), 1914

Chapter 3

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, restrained 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 loveliness, 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 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. Knowing 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 herself 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 M'^as 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 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 dagger that glittered in her steady hand, sent him backwards beyond 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 concealed under the collar of her wrapper, but did not always succeed 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 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 understood 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 Alborak 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.

Vedo X Elancydyne

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 tomahawk of curious shape was tied to the rear. On the small righthand skirt the flag of Spain was imprinted in good style. Beneath the flag was the following inscription: DON MAR DE VEDO X ELANCYDYNE.

As the girls rode away, they presented a striking appearance. Two such horses carrying two such riders had never been seen in a wilderness before, perhaps nowhere else. Any woman looks better on horseback than she does in a palace, and when both horse and rider have an elegant appearance the effect is very

When Adabor was reached it was plain that neither the horses nor their mistresses were willing to separate ; but after a long, fondly lingering look at each other they separated with tears in their eyes. When Ruth reached the shoals she found Leon Shore and Abe Trent both waiting there for her. Poor, anxious, considerate fellows ! Notwithstanding the girl had passed through enough during the day to try the nerves of the strongest man, they thought she needed help to ford a small stream! A bullet is blind, and so is love !

At a meeting called for the purpose of hearing Ruth's report, a "vote of thanks was tendered the heroine of the day for faithful performance of duty," and on motion of Josiah Strong, three hearty cheers were given in her honor. Had a modern talking machine been used, how curious it would be to hear those cheers as they were given more than a century ago. Are they forever lost? Or will the great expected achievements of the twentieth century unroll them to mortal ears ?

Ruth's adventures that day furnished themes for many discussions. What was the significance of the carefully concealed mussel shell? Where did the white horse and the Spanish saddle come from? And what did the curious inscription on the saddle mean? How did the girl get possession of them? And why was her hair changeable? These were some of the questions that Mrs. Moore, because of her deep insight into curious things, was asked to answer. **I can not," replied that lady, "answer all your questions; but the changes in the dear girl's hair prove, as I have before told you, that she is not an Indian, though I can not account for the change. Moreover the Spanish saddle and the emblems on it, and now I think of it, the type of her features convince me that she is of Spanish descent with a distinct mixture of aristocratic English blood."

"Sister," replied Josiah, "you are getting along first rate with your advanced theories; but after all I should not be surprised to find that changeable hair is characteristic of Indian beauties. Whether Indian, Spanish or English, I love Banna the Beautiful with all my heart, and no race distinction can change me."

"That greatly encourages me, and I thank you in advance for your services. It only remains for you and Letty to arrange some plan that will enable me to meet her as if by chance. I will do the rest." "We can easily do that," said Ruth, and the interview closed sans ceremonie.

On the day following the interview the merino dress was completed. The finishing touches were made by the deft fingers of Ruth Lahgoon who was a "needle work designer," as those who did artistic work with the needle were called at that time. Around the bottom of the skirt was wrought a lovely wreath of green, white and blue beads. On the bosom was a similar design in oval form, and in the center of that was a monogram composed of the initial letters R. B., an emblem of mutual love. The sleeves were also ornamented with modest flowers wrought, not with beads, but with silk thread of various colors. Such was the dress made for a savage girl, - the native of a wilderness where the name of God had never been heard until a short time before and of whose attributes she knew nothing. For some reason her superior form and features were so cast by the God whom she did not know, that the light that irradiated them from within was the handiwork of the same GREAT FIRST CAUSE ;

The dress being completed Mrs. Moore and Ruth made a formal visit to Adabor. They found Banna alone, and she received them with gladness. However, they soon noticed that she became a little disconcerted because her hair was again without a wave, and for the first time she discovered that her white friends were astonished at the change. When the glittering merino garment was spread before the wondering girl, she was so nervous by emotions perhaps unknown to the tutored mind, that she sat down and wept like a child. There in the deep umbrageous solitudes of nature, far away from the strife and turmoil of strenuous human life, followed a touching scene. Both visitors kneeled at the weeping girl, and placing their arms upon her shoulders and their heads against her heaving breast, the trio wept together - one in grateful remembrance of her friends, the others in deep sympathy with her sweet, sensitive nature.

When restored to a normal condition Ruth dressed Banna's hair, and a delicate piece of net-work consisting of braids and curious plaits was the result. But the artist's fingers trembled as she deftly manipulated the long black tresses - she could see and even feel the waves returning.

"Eureka! I have found it!" exclaimed Mrs. Moore who was watching the waves as they came into view slowly. "Found what?" the artist asked anxiously. "That her hair changes when it comes in close contact with people of her own race. Such has been the case every time that either of us has been near her; another proof that she is not an aboriginee of this country." "I am," said Ruth, "more than half convinced that you are right; but why does our touch produce such a curious result?" "Tell me why the saw-brier and many other plants close their leaves when we touch them? A touch often means more than we can understand. At least one astronomer has said that if we could touch a star it would fly out of its orbit. But to be plain, I can not answer your question. While a truth is revealed, the mystery deepens. The why must go unanswered."

The bright girl knew that her hair was the subject of conversation, and she was embarrassed; but the smiles and kisses of Ruth caused her great luminous eyes to look upon her friends as charmingly as before.

A deep silence followed this quotation from Gray's Elegy, because the scene was really impressive. At last Ruth said, ' ' Though she bloomed in a desert we intend to transfer her to a garden, where tender hands and loving hearts will cultivate the rare flower until she blooms afresh in Heaven."

As Banna did not understand half what was said in reference to her, she looked bewildered; and to change the current of her thoughts, Ruth presented her with a toilet set, consisting of a small mirror, comb, brush and a few other articles. She was shown how to use them, and for the first time, saw herself in a looking-glass. Hitherto she had seen her own image only as reflected by the smooth water of the Tishmaugu just before it went tumbling over the shoals.

Perhaps that was the only way mother Eve ever saw her fair face, and as to that matter, father Adam, too. Yet they lived a long time. Having studied the toilet articles one by one, the girl began to realize the worth of her pale-face sister, and said thoughtfully, ''I do what for things so good, so pretty?" Ruth knew what she meant, and hastened to inform her that all was the gift of love and that nothing would be received in payment. She looked astonished and clasped both visitors in her arms saying, "Will have little gift, you?"

When told that a small present would be received, not in payment, but as a token of love, she produced a roll of coarse grass cloth which contained several pairs of moccasins made of beaver skin with the fur on. They were lined with the same soft and pliant material. Around the tops were single rows of small sea shells evidently from a distant shore. The workmanship was neat and substantial, and the shape much the same as shoes of that day, that is to say, they were not "rights and lefts." Having selected pairs of proper size, the ladies received the gifts with sincere thankfulness. They represented them as warm and pleasant to the feet, and wearing them on rare occasions only they kept them as long as they lived. It may be interesting to know that these moccasins were exhibited in a Lapsidalian basket at a county fair held at Jefferson in 1835, when Gen. David M. Burns was chairman, and William Gathright, secretary.

While selecting the moccasins Umausauga made his appearance with bow and arrows in one hand and a turkey in the other. As he surveyed his daughter in her new attire his huge frame began to tremble, but there was no frown on his tawny brow. Riveting his keen and restless black eyes upon her, he continued to gaze until, sinking lower and lower, he sat sprawling on the floor. When tired of his comical position he gave one of his native grunts and began to walk from side to side of the wigwam. His demeanor satisfied the anxious guests that he was proud of the wonderful transformation of his daughter, but strange to say, was actually afraid of the looking-glass.

On the morning of the day appointed for the Indian girl's visit, several ladies were assembled at the humble but well-supplied home of Abednego Moore.

"What," asked Mrs. Moore, "shall we give our guest for dinner to-day?" "I do not know," answered Ruth, after some reflection, "what Banna likes best, but she had two broiled fishes for luncheon at Calamit the other day. She beats corn in a mortar and makes hominy in an earthen pot. When last with her I noticed a sort of mug full of honey comb, and a ham of dried venison near by it. With these hints I suggest that you and mother spread such a dinner as you think best."

Everything at Talasee was done methodically. Nothing of general importance was attempted without a two-thirds majority of both men and women. This concert of action made the little colony strong in purpose and ready in execution. Ruth's suggestion was accepted by all, and everything went on smoothly.

Alborak soon carried his mistress to Adabor where she found Banna a little excited but ready to return with her. When called, Iro trotted near, and the girls rode to the shoals where they met a delegation of ladies to bid their coming guest a hearty welcome. Umausauga had been selected to accompany the party; but for some reason declined the invitation.

As soon as the opposite bank was gained Banna leaped from her saddle and embraced in turn each of the three ladies present as if she had been a long-absent daughter. A formal introduction followed, and when Iro's saddle had been regained as easily as it had been left, Mrs. Easley, who was a lady of culture and refinement, said :

"0 Letty ! did you see the deep red blood playing hide and seek in her cheeks as she threw her arms around us? Why has such a gem been so long concealed in these dark and gloomy forests?"

Having arrived in front of the Moore residence, Leon Shore, as previously arranged, approached, and taking Ruth by the hand she lightly leaped to the ground. Josiah Strong and Banna at once followed the example, and together the pairs walked into the house. The Indian girl, as her escort still more than half believed her to be, had shown herself an apt scholar and a ready imitator as well.

Now a great relief was at hand. Mr. Strong could speak the Creek language almost as well as Banna herself. He had indulged in many a blissful thought which he hoped to enjoy while teaching her English, and was almost sorry that she could already speak some words as fluently as he could, though she did not know just how to arrange them. To remedy this defect, he finally decided, would be more pleasant than teaching the words, and so his future prospects grew brighter and brighter as they hastily passed before his mental vision.

If he loved her under as unfavorable conditions as when he first saw her at Snodon, what were his emotions now that she was at his side as a guest, arrayed in the most elegant style of the times? He became lost in wondering thoughts and audibly mut-

Finally glancing at the braided, plaited network of hair that served so well to show the outlines of her symmetrical shoulders, he discovered that it was as full of graceful waves as his own was of turning, twisting curls. Hitherto he had thought that his sister and Kuth were mistaken. He knew that his own hair was changeable - that the curls were more profuse in damp than in dry weather - but he had never heard of hers changing that way. This together with the fact that a crimson blush played over her face when he first gave her his hand, was enough to convince him that his sister was right. But before making a final decision he concluded to learn if he could whether Indian girls in common blushed or not. The truth was that for some reason he did not want to believe that Banna the Beautiful was not "a native to the manor born."

Of course the stranger girl did not know just how to meet the new conditions by which she was surrounded; but the constant attention of all present and the readiness with which she learned and understood anything presented to her mind helped her wonderfully. When she found that Mr. Strong could speak her language fluently, her eyes sparkled with delight, and to all appearance she greatly enjoyed her visit. When he asked her if she rememberd seeing him at Snodon sometime before, she quickly looked at his head, as if to prove his identity by the missing lock of hair pulled out by the rude Indian boy, and with some confusion answered, "YES."

A general conversation followed in which Mr. Strong found that his visitor was anxious to learn all she could of the English language and that she was willing for him to become her teacher. Thus the day passed away pleasantly, and a little before sundown Mr. Strong escorted the Guest of the Colony to her secluded home amid the great spreading trees just over the river. The promises of his sister and friend had been redeemed.