Palmer High School - Terror Trail Yearbook (Colorado Springs, CO)

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gg, ' ' ' ' -Dl g , 92.3.0 l l Q34 ll . L 1' .mf I a. i K' It m'!,2iQ.i f W --in Glhv Stepping Giant A Legend of the Pikes Peak Region. BY FRANCES CURTIS. In a little cabin, away up among deep pine woods, a bright Hre burned cosily on the open grate. The Old Man of the Mountains sat beside me, and we looked dreamily into the bright flames. Neither of us had spoken for some time, when suddenly he said, 'fDid you ever hear the legend of the Sleeping Giant ? No, I replied, but I have noticed it often, and have wondered if the was not some story connected with it. Yes, there is, he said. I have spent all my life among these hills, and I can tell you the white man's version of this old Indian legend. I-Ie paused, looked steadily into the fire, for a few minutes, and then began. In the early days, before the white man ever saw this country, the Indians knew and appreciated the mineral springs of Manitou. They considered them of medical value, and thought they were stirred by the Great Spirit. At one time, the Cheyennes and the Utes, fought for possession of these springs. The Cheyennes were camped in what is now known as Ruxton Canon. The Utes were camped on the hillside near the old Ute Trail. Though there had been no open hostilities, the tribes were suspicious of each other, and were ready to take offense at the slightest provocation. In the camp of the Utes, there lived a beautiful Indian girl-Owaissa. She was the daughter of the medicine man, and well versed in the laws of magic. She was also the beauty of the camp, and because of her unusual powers of magic, she was held in awe by most of the tribe. But among the Cheyennes was a certain brave, named VVabassa, who was charmed with the beautiful Owaissa. Many were the stolen meetings that were held on the hillside, and Owaissa grew fond of the daring young Cheyenne. There was more or less danger connected with these secret meetings for daily the tribes became more hostile to each other. One evening, they were sitting together on a large rock, when suddenly the maiden said: VVabassa, you must not meet me again. Some of our tribe have noticed it and they think you are spying on them. My magic tells me there is trouble ahead for us. To which VVabassa replied, I'd rather run the risk, and be near you. There was a troubled look in the maiden's eyes, but she said nothing. Some days later, while wandering far away from camp, high up on the hills, gathering herbs to make a magic potion, she unexpectedly met Whabassa. 19

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ffl? x ' - ,, 5 ' ' 'Eur ff I .. - H- -gf, 42- Q I-ll 9 I mzmiggi .g 'NWI i Night The light of day doth fadeaway And as it slowly dies A massive curtain thick and dark ls drawn across the skies. Then Angels light the starry lamps That twinkling seem so bright. And peace descends o'er all the world VVl1en fallen is the night. 1S

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-:S L 'U ' ' :-ri 'Burg ff if - in nigg a .. I gs:-'Hifi iii Owaissa felt this was an ill-timed meeting, for she knew she was closely followed by a band of men from the Ute camp. A A Hide yourself, she cried, for warriors seeking your life are close at hand? But where shall I hide Fi' he answered. Another band of Utes has been following me. Even now the victorious cries of the approaching parties reached their ears. i To be caught is to be cruelly tortured, she answered, and to escape is impossible, for you are fairly cornered. You have betrayed me to your people, he said fiercely. That is a poor return for my confidence in you. To prove my innocence, I will save you by my magic, she answered. She then began her incantations, just as the two bands of warriors rapidly ap- proached. They stopped in astonishment to see XN'abassa sink to the earth, in the attitude of sleep, with his hands crossed upon hisibreast. And suddenly, where he lay on the top of the ridge, he appeared the figure of a Sleeping Giant. Turning to the warriors, Owaissa said, Your vengeance cannot hurt this sleeping figure of earth and stone. And for all time he shall sleep upon the mountain, and shall be known as the Sleeping Giant. The Old Man of the Mountains paused. After a moment of silence, he continued, And to this day, the ngure of a giant in deep slumber, may be seen on the top of the mountain ridge. The story of the Indian maid, who outwitted her own people, to save her lover, has been handed down, from generation to generation, till it has become a legend of the Pikes Peak Region. i ..-.aft 'I 1. v ,, tigers... v 20