Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/36

12 HISTORY OF woodman's axe, as the mist of night vanishes at the first rays of the morning sun, and the earth was made to yield from her bounteous stores to contribute to the sustenance and support of man. The wild beasts, startled by the strange, uncouth sounds of civilization, or the sharp click and unerring aim of the hunter's rifle, either fell farther back into the forest, or fled precipitately to some unfrequented hiding place among the hills. The Indian, too, chaunted the sad requiem over the sacred mounds that contained the ashes of his parents — the sepulchre of his tribe — had sped the last arrow upon his favorite hunting ground, where his unerring aim had often brought the timid deer to kiss the dust, and retreating west- ward, pauses his steps upon the verge of the distant emi- nence," to supplicate the Great Spirit, and to behold once more and for the last time, the glorious sun-set upon the broad valley, the bright home of his youth ; and for ages past the favorite hunting-ground of his tribe.