Jackson County, Georgia - Chapter 5, 1914

In due time Starr and Trent returned from their respective missions and made their reports. The latter found that the fort Yargo people, though few in number, were well armed and ready to come to the aid of Talasee at a moment's warning, and the former reported substantially the same of the colonies he visited; adding that the citizens of Groaning Rock had some reason to believe that a Cherokee spy, going in the direction of Talasee, had recently passed through the country.

In view of the information gained of the probable spy, Richard Easley and Phelan Lahgoon, both of whom had seen much hard service in active warfare, offered to become additional scouts. Accordingly the next morning the men rode to the east and the girls to the north with the understanding that the parties were to meet at Rodoata (Cold Spring) at such time in the afternoon as they could make the junction.

About noon when the girls were riding across the gentle slope on which Crooked Creek church now stands, their horses stopped and stood listening. Knowing that their hearing was more sensitive than their own, the girls remained quiet and anxiously awaited the result. Directly they discovered an Indian going in the direction of the spring, still there, but not so bold and beautiful as then. Amazed, both whispered "The Spy!" "The Spy!" He was armed with a tomahawk only, and carrying that at his left side, they knew him to be a Cherokee.

Having apparently satisfied himself that no danger was lurking near, he fell prostrate at the spring and began to drink. Just then, with rifles ready for instant use, the scouts rushed upon him with such impetuous dash that the fellow jumped the creek near by at one bound and ran to the southeast with incredible speed. Thinking they might obtain some valuable information from him they did not want to kill him or even wound him unless actually necessary. At full speed the girls began the chase at once, and the Cherokee, finding that he would soon be overtaken, stopped suddenly and looked back. Perhaps more through habit than design he unfortunately drew his tomahawk from his belt, and quick as thought two bullets went crashing through his arm. The weapon fell to the ground, and the fellow, finding that it was useless to run, suddenly fell with his face to the ground, and gave the Cherokee wail of despair "Owocoway!" Then the scouts knew that there was no one near who could come to his rescue.

Doubtless the poor Indian thought there was no one to help him ; but he was greatly mistaken. Hands far more tender and skillful than he had ever known were there and anxious to help him. For their own benefit the girls carried a roll of linen bandages, various salves, pins, needles and thread to use in case of accidents to which they were almost constantly liable. They now found great need of them, and conducting the wounded man back to the spring, they dressed his arm, and otherwise made him as comfortable as possible. They found that one bullet had fractured the arm bone but did not break it, and that the other had made a severe flesh wound. Their greatest difficulty was to stanch the freely flowing blood ; but by long continued application of cold spring water they finally succeeded. During the entire process, which of necessity must have been very painful, the Indian did not utter a groan nor speak a word. The most distinguishing feature of his conduct was that he seemed unable to turn his eyes away from Banna. For some reason he was evidently overcome with wonder and amazement.

When the captive was a little composed the girls leisurely conducted him to Talasee and turned him over to Joe Starr and Ed Belknap from whom he was not likely to escape. They then hastened to Rodoata that the other scouts might find them there according to promise.

Easley and Lahgoon having reached the vicinity of Cherokee Corner, turned to the northwest, and crossing Trail and Sandy Creeks, reached the plateau upon which Center is now situated, without learning anything unusual. There, however, they met with a native, who informed them that on the day before, an

Indian who was supposed to be a Cherokee, had been seen going in the direction of Talasee, and that a runner had been sent to inform TJmausauga of the discovery. This caused the scouts tu hasten homeward, and being well mounted, they soon reached the plain beyond Etoho river. There they di&covered the well known tracks of Alborak and Iro. Following the still deeper and deeper gashes as if made by a furious charge, they came to a spring where blood was spattered all over the rocks around it. They groaned in despair and frantically called for Ruth and Banna. No answer was returned and again they groaned aloud and Mr. Lahgoon exclaimed, "0 my God! have the Cherokees murdered my precious child and her darling friend?"

Just then Mr. Easley noticed that the red stains led across the adjacent creek. They were quickly followed until a pool of clotted blood was reached. Both scouts were unable to speak - their hearts seemed to be still. Almost blinded by fear and apprehension, they looked around for further signs. Though confused by the great number of tracks made in the soft soil, they finally discovered a trail that led back towards the spring. They hurriedly followed the tracks, and reaching the creek, Mr. Easley discovered a slip of paper hanging on a bush that grew near the spring. To the unspeakable joy of the men there was written upon it:

"Gone home with our prisoner, the spy. He is badly wounded, but not fatally. We are not hurt; will meet you in Rodoata in due time. Ruth and Banna."

Both men threw their hats high in the air and gave four lusty cheers, - one each in honor of the girls and their horses. With supreme satisfaction they rode to Rodoata, and finding Ruth and Banna already there, the cheers were repeated, and then following a series of whoops so wierd and wild that turkey gobblers were heard answering them in the distance. The four scouts returned home together; and having so quickly passed from mortal fear to very gladness, happier men than Dick Easley than Phel. Lahgoon never rode over the hills of Georgia.

was accompanied by Notha Neva, the runner who had been sent to inform him that a stranger had been seen in the country. In personal appearance this Indian was far superior to any others seen in the country, and while he had the step and the hair peculiar to the natives, he did not resemble them in any other respects.

Silent and moody, as if his thoughts were far away, the prisoner refused to speak to any one. That somewhat exasperated those who had him in charge, but they patiently awaited the action of the council. That body met at an early hour, and for the first time Umausauga consented to be present. Notha Neva also remained, and the two Indians were offered front seats, but refused to accept them.

The captive occupied a seat near the president, and turning his keen black eyes upon vacant space before him, he seemed to be utterly oblivious of the presence of others. He did not have a bad face, and his brow showed a high order of intellect. He was of medium size, but evidently muscular and active. When told that he might speak for himself, he placed his wounded arm on the palm of his left hand and asked, ''Lodu Huanaco se queech?" - May Huanaco talk now?

The president nodded his head, and the prisoner arose to his feet ; but in spite of his stoicism, with manifest pain. It was seen by all that his arm was badly swollen and the bandages too tight. Ruth and Banna hastened to his relief.

Umausauga and Notha Neva came near and watched the movements of their delicate fingers with almost breathless interest. Such tenderness and skill were unknown to them. Though far above the ordinary savages around them, they knew nothing of the glorious mission of a true woman - nothing of the soothing, healing touch of her gentle hand - nothing of the angelic spirit which warms her breast and makes glad the beatings of a wounded heart.

With eyes wide open and with bated breath the natives watch the nimble fingers until the last bandage is reached. It is deep in the flesh and tightly held there by dry blood which has to be softened by an application of warm water before the cloth can be removed. Banna is applying the water. The silent, stoical sufferer casts a long, anxious look at her, similar to those given while his arm was being dressed at the spring. Suddenly his eyes close spasmodically, his whole body trembles, and he heavily falls to his knees, exclaiming, "Ouch Elancydyne! menurik outic en ma ecindre at survi. Eltrovadyne. " That is, 0 Elancydyne, has your spirit come back, or are you the once little Eltrovadyne?

The council was amazed. Umausauga stood speechless, and acted as if some great secret of his life was about to be revealed. Banna realized that in some way the dramatic scene referred to herself. She nestled close to Ruth, and as usual their arms were around each other. The captive was lying upon the floor seemingly but not really unconscious. While in this condition the dressing of his arm was completed. The council sympathized with the poor fellow and awaited his own action. He had evidently made some overpowering discovery, and all wanted to know the result.

By and by, when the sufferer began to breathe easily, some of the men raised him to his feet, and he was told to go on with his talk. He essayed to do so, but did not know what to do with his wounded arm and paused to think. While doing so Mrs. Easley quickly untied her snow white apron, made a loop that fell from his neck upon his breast, and tenderly placed his wounded arm in it. Though still suffering his eyes followed the kind lady to her seat, a faint smile played over his features for a moment as if to thank her, and turning, he made a touching talk of which the following is a free translation:

"My friends. I find friends here. Great and good friends. Friends for whom I am ready to give my life." Here he paused and pointing his trembling forefinger towards Ruth, Banna and Mrs. Easley, he looked around and continued: "I believe there are others. To friend and foe alike I want to say I am a Cherokee. My name is Huanaco. I am not a spy. I come to you on a mission of peace, though I made a great mistake. I drew my tomahawk on the horses, not on their riders. I thought I might be run over. Had I not made this mistake I should not

"Friends, many moons ago the Creeks and Cherokees were at war. We were led by King Amereides. Pie was a Spanish nobleman. For some reason he became one of us. He died for us on the bloody field of Numerado. Then his queen took his place. She led us to victory. Her name was Elaneydyne. Though of pure English blood she was always true to the Cherokees. When a very little girl she was washed on shore by the waves of the sea. We adopted her and she too became one of us. She grew to be so good and beautiful that King Amereides gladly made her his queen. She led us from Numerado to other battlefields. The Fast was at Arharra near this very place. There, when passing under some trees in whose branches bowmen were hidden, she fell mortally wounded. The spirit of the Cherokees was broken. We retreated beyond the Etoho. We carried our queen's dead body with us. She and Amereides sleep together. After the battle we tried to find her little girl. She was the very image of her mother. We did not find her. Her name was Eltrovadyne. Until a short time ago we fully believed her to be dead. I have been sent to see if she still lives. I think I have found her. We want her for a queen. Friends," the Indian continued, after a thoughtful pause, "I was once wounded in battle. Queen Elaneydyne poured cold water on a great gash in my shoulder. Her beautiful eyes looked on in pity. She, whom you call Banna gave me just such a look with just such eyes while pouring water on my arm to-night. The discovery overcame me. I fell upon the floor. I know that was not in keeping with the dignity of a warrior. But tell me, 0 tell me, if you can, is Banna, the once little queen Eltrovadyne? What shall Huanaco tell his people?"

The speaker sat down, and with impassive features fixed hiseyes on vacant space as when he first entered the fort. Umausauga was as motionless as a stone pillar. He seemed utterly incapable of action, and Banna was lying insensible in Ruth's arms. Even the iron-nerved Josiah Strong was deeply moved. The contraction of his brow, the compression of his lips, and the twitching of his great muscles, showed that some stern resolve might soon be made known. Yet he spoke not a word, nor was he likely to do so before the climax of what seemed to be coming was reached. Banna the Beautiful, though now believed to be a princess indeed, was not to be taken from him, not even for a throne. Her situation excited the heart-felt sympathy of every one present, and the efforts of all were concentrated upon the best means to restore her to consciousness.

By and by, she began to revive, principally through the efforts of Mr. Strong who, though not a physician, had once studied the science of medicine with a view to practice. The services rendered to his patient in the wilderness was indeed a labor of love.

When all became quiet, Mr, Moore, the presiding officer that night, requested Umausauga to answer, as well as he could, the Cherokee's important question as to what he should tell his people. Without moving a muscle in his face or changing the natural gleam of fire in his eyes, the Indian came to the front with a slow, but steady step, and chiefly using the third person said, "Umausauga calls you friend, too. You have been good to him. In turn he will be good to you. He is glad we are friends. He was once the enemy of all white people and of the Cherokees too. Was in the battle of Arharra. Was one of the bowmen in the tree tops. Does not know who killed queen Elancydyne. Knows she was very brave. That her fall ended the battle. That he could have prevented her warriors from taking her body away. Umausauga would not do that. He fights for the living. Not for the dead excepting one time."

Here the speaker, for a reason that may be discovered as this narrative progresses, broke down and stood speechless. Banna, still trembling like a stricken child, went and took a seat at his side. That seemed to strengthen him. He gently placed one hand upon her head and with the other motioned for Ruth to come also. She quickly went and sat opposite her friend. Placing his free hand on her head, he, this time with a trembling voice, continued : ' ' May the God of the white men and the Great Spirit of the red man bless you both, and keep you together always. Curses on the hand that would violently separate you.

"Umausauga has committed no crime. After the retreat of the Cherokees from Arharrah he was walking over the battle ground. He heard a child crying in the distant woods. He could not have found the little creature if it had not been crying. It was concealed by earth, rocks and bushes. A dead woman was lying near. An arrow was sticking deep in her breast. The shaft was broken. She still held the broken part in her hand. She had tried to pull it from her breast. When it broke she died.

"Umausauga took the crying baby in his arms. It soon became quiet. He placed it by the side of what he then thought was its dead mother. Their features were not at all alike, he thought again. He found that the features of the child were just the same as the features of the heroic woman who rode the white horse. He then believed her to be the child's mother, and that the dead woman was its nurse. He has since learned this to be true.

"Umausauga had no heart to leave the little girl to die alone in the woods. He carried her to his wigwam. He named her Banna. That word means princess. You all know how true she is to her name. Now you all know how well she deserves the title. As she grew older, he found her very good and very smart. He never knew her to do wrong wilfully. He never knew her to fail in her work. He never twice told her to do anything. She has always been good to him. He has always tried to be good to her. Umausauga has often thought of the grand appearance made by the Cherokee queen on her white horse. He wanted Banna to have one like it. He went all the way to the ocean before he found one to suit him. He finally found Iro and purchased him. He hunted two winters and one summer to get skins enough to pay for horse and bridle. Old Lapsidali had found a saddle in the woods around Arharra. She did not know what it was. Umausauga gave her a handful of beads for it - some of the beads he received in payment for Beadland. So Banna now had a horse, bridle and saddle. The horse is very much like the one ridden by her mother. Doubtless the saddle was hers also.

"Umausauga was so proud that he turned fool enough to tell his great secret to old Lapsidali. Until now he has never told any one else. He and Banna began to train Iro at once. She often went dashing through the woods on his back. He now sees how much she looked like queen Elancydyne charging among the trees at Arharra."

Here the Indian again broke down as if lost in painful thought. At last he went on: "Brothers, sisters! this trial is too much for Umausauga. He here confesses for himself what you already know, that Banna is not his daughter! It is worse than death to be separated from her. And he here sounds a warning note that unless the separation be for some good reason and by her consent, somebody must be thrown alive into the boiling, burning flames at Nodoroc. "

Again the speaker stood silent for a few minutes. His eyes flashed, his muscles twitched, and giving a deep guttural groan, he suddenly turned to Huanaco, and in thunder tones exclaimed in Cherokee: "Hear, Huanaco! Having found your lost princess, what will you do? Speak! Huanaco, speak!"

Having uttered the last sentence with terrible emphasis, the speaker sat down. The Cherokee was confused; but showed himself a good diplomatist. After some hesitation he said, "Since the fall of queen Elancydyne the Cherokees have been under a chief chosen by themselves. He is a good man and the people like him. But he wants to retire from public life. All were devoted to Amercides and his queen. We want their daughter, our Eltrovadyne and your Banna to be queen of all the Cherokees. It is her birthright. It is our pleasure. Of course her consent must be first obtained. No force can be used in this matter,

"Brothers, I hope you have learned that I am not an enemy as you first thought. Lapsidali is the one who told us that our lost queen is here. We doubted her word. I have come and find that for once she told the truth. But she told it to make trouble between us. You have heard that the Cherokees are preparing to invade this part of the country again. That is absolutely false. The old squaw made the tale out of my appointment to

"Brothers and sisters, we scarcely dared hope to find our lost Eltrovadyne. Less did we expect to find her already a queen among subjects of her own race. And this complicates the matter. Allow me to return home and report to my people. I see your Banna is deeply grieved even at the thought of leaving you. I am willing to leave the matter to you and to her. I can not answer for the Cherokees until I see them. They may be able to offer some inducement that will cause you all to change your minds. Huanaco is done."

The scene that followed beggars description. Lost in astonishment at the strange incidents revealed, and rejoicing over the news that the Cherokee invasion was probably a myth, the Talasee council was hardly fitted for regular business. However after various private conferences it was found that all were practically of the same opinion and the following resolutions were passed :

"1st: That thanks of the Talasee council and its friends are hereby tendered Huanaco who claims to be a Cherokee on a peaceful mission to the Creeks, for his pacific talk to-night, and we assure him of our friendship on all proper occasions.

"2nd: That while we thank the Cherokees for proposing to make one of our members their reigning queen, we, by her full consent, most respectfully decline to accept the honor offered.

"3rd: That the guard is hereby instructed to release the said Huanaco from custody, and allow him to return to his people at such time as suits him.

"4th: That we thank our scouts for the faithful and efficient manner in which they performed their duty by arresting and bringing to headquarters a supposed spy.

"5th: That we regret the said Huanaco 's mistake which led our scouts to wound him, but attach no blame to them. On the contrary they showed the highest order of skill and bravery as well as sound judgment in their actions.

"6th: That while we gladly receive the news that the rumor of a Cherokee invasion is false, we will not for one moment relax our viligence to protect this colony and its friends.

"7th: That we think the thanks of the whole civilized world is due our friend Uraausauga, for the kind manner in which he took care of the little child that he found in the woods, and for his faithfulness to her from that time to the present moment. And we further believe that as the anointing of our Savior's feet at Bethany has become a universal memorial of the woman who performed the gracious deed, that also the kindness shown by an untaught savage of the wilderness to a stranger, should be told for a memorial of him to all men.

"8th: That because of the unfaithfulness of Lapsidali, the basket maker, as shown by the betrayal of Umausauga's confidence, and by the circulation of false reports in regard to a Cherokee invasion, she is hereby declared to be a traitor of this Colony, to Umausauga and his people.

Much apprehension of coming danger had been removed, and a free conversation followed. Still Banna's face was sad. She seemed to be whirling in a circle of unknown circumference. She was arrayed in her wonderful red dress over which her now constantly wavy hair hung in graceful tresses to her waist. Under the tutilage of Ruth and others, her manners, never coarse, had become graceful and easy. At her own request she was carried to Huanaco who manifested some courtliness and much embarrassment. The following is a free translation, in a condensed form, of the conversation between them :

"Huanaco, I am Banna whose name you say in Eltrovadyne. I must first tell you that if we had known you were not a spy, we would not have hurt you for all the world. We ask you to forgive us."

"0 Huanaco, my friends here tell me of a home beyond the stars, where all the truly good shall live forever in a home not made by hands, eternal in the heavens ! I have learned to take a few steps in that direction. If for no other reason I should not want to leave my teachers. They can show me how to travel the pathway which leads to life eternal, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures evermore ! They tell me of a Savior who came from beyond the stars - from a place they call Heaven, to seek and to save that which was lost ! I want him to find Eltrovadyne. If I go to the Cherokees no one will point me out to him! My friends here do that. They call it prayer. They talk to the Savior in prayer. They sometimes call him Jesus and talk to him every day. They read or talk about him in a book they call the Bible. It is curious to think that a book can talk to you. I am beginning to learn how it is done. I already know the words. They call them letters like a, b, c. I can put a few of them together now and make long words - words like we use when talking. Then too, I am beginning to learn how to talk on paper, or on anything that will hold a mark. They call it writing. I can write my name now. I say B-a-n-n-a. I can not write Eltrovadyne. It contains too many words or letters. But now that I can speak the word I can soon learn how to make the letters talk it. They call that spelling. This is curious and I long to know more about it. Then, 0 Huanaco, the Cherokees must not want to take me away!"

In mute astonishment the Indian gazed upon her radiant face until he almost ceased to breathe. After a little while he turned his eyes away, and, as if talking to himself, muttered in a deep undertone, "It is right for Eltrovadyne to remain here! I wish Huanaco had never seen her! There is a dark-eyed maiden at Stonethrow who had all my heart. Glittering Star takes it away from her! Hush! Hush! Huanaco! Glittering Star is a pale-

"Talk to Eltrovadyne," said Banna, wishing to turn the current of the Indian's thoughts. "Please tell me what Elancydyne means?" "Shooting Star," answered the Cherokee slowly, and again pointing upward, continued, "When Elancydyne was a little girl a Cherokee brave took her from a sinking ship in time of a storm, and the waves brought them both to shore. Later she ran about from one camp-fire to another so fast, and was so very, very bright and beautiful, that she was called Elancydyne or Shooting Star. Our old men said her clothes showed that she was the child of an English nobleman. She was very white with features just like yours. 0 her eyes ! 0 your eyes, Eltrovadyne ! How can I leave; but hush, Huanaco! Thespe still speaks!"

"May Eltrovadyne ask a few more questions?" The Indian nodded his head, and sat with eyes cast down as if to avoid the heart-breaking battery that was turned upon him. "What does Amercides mean?" asked the girl tremulously. "Don't know," was the thoughtful reply. ' ' When your father first came among the Cherokees he was known as Don Mar de Vedo, of the royal family of Spain. Huanaco don't remember all about it. He was then young. Something like CID was connected with his name. When he was made king his subjects were required to call him Amercides. So Cid was still a part of his name."

"Has Eltrovadyne any brothers and sisters among the Cherokees?" asked Banna anxiously. The Indian shook his head only, and the girl ventured to ask him one more question: "Do yon know where my father and mother are buried, and if so will you show me the place sometime?" "Huanaco knows. He will show you," was the thoughtful reply.