The Brave and the Maiden

Many people are familiar with the story of the two headed snake but the legend of Lovers Leap is just as fascinating and seems to have faded from the memory of most. This story of love and sacrifice has been told by many culture from the story of Romeo and Juliet to Disney's Pocahontas.

The Legend of Lovers Leap

The legend is of a later day than that of the serpent, but nevertheless, descends from remote tradition. During the wars of the Senecas and Algonquins of the North, a chief of the latter was capture and carried to Genundewah, whereon a fortification, consisting of a square without bastions, and surrounded by palisades, was situated. The captive, though young in years was famed for his prowess in forest conflict, and nature had been bountiful to his person in those gifts of strength and symmetry which waken savage admiration. After a short debate, he was condemned to die on the folowing day, by slow torture of impalement. While he was lying in the "cabin of death", a lodge devoted to the reception of condemned prisioners, the dayughter of the Sachem brought him food, and struck with hi manly form and heroic bearing, resolved to save him or share his fate. Her bold enterprise was favored by the uncertain light of the gray dawn, while the solitary sentinel, wery with hi night-watch, and forgetful of his duty, was slumbering. Stealing with noiseless tread to the side of the young captive, she cut the tongs where with his limbs were bound, and besought him in breathing accents to follow her. The fugitives decened the hill by a wooded path conducting to the lake; but ere they reached the water, an alarm-whoop, wild and shrill, was heard issuing from the lips of the waking guard. They tarried not, though thorney vines and fallen timber obstructed their way. At length they reached the smooth beach, and leaping into a canoe, previously provided by the brave and considerate damsel, they plied the paddle vigorously, steering for the opposite shore. Vain were their efforts. On wind came cries of rage, and the fierce pursuit. The Algonquin, with the reckless daring of a young brave, sent back a yell of defiance; and soon after the splash of oars was heard, and a dozen war canoes were cutting the billows in their rear.

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