| Show LEGEND OF based 3 a s e ll 11 on oa the custom of the plute plate ln indians d 1 a n m dy by 11 II L reid held ranger many years before them coming ot of the white man there lived upon the rio virgin as an indian tribe known to themselves us as the barrus Par rus rusl this tribe had bad its headquarters some fifty miles below zion canyon but each au autumn as was their custom they camo came into the canyon to hunt doer deer and to gather the wild fruit that grow grew there in abundance the tribe was tamed famed throughout the aho entire southwest lor for the beauty of its ita ni maidens aldens and many ot of the ro mantle braves from surrounding tribes visited tho the region with the hope that they might win one ot of these dusky mal maidens deas between the young inclan bribe v ae a and lid hla his sweetheart there often de ae vl eloped in that day an affection co full of 0 romance as any known in our own day but before the young lover lorer could claim the maiden as aa hla his sw lie he must provo prove that he was waa able to defend her against all opposition by letting her through the line of braves in order to give all an eunity to express their opposition word must be sent through the sur Toun bounding ding tribes that oni on a definite date and at a stipulated time and place the young bruve brave would stand ready to defend hla his claim and should there be those who did not approve they must be present to issue protest or forever remain silent on the day set tor for the cerenio ceremony ny the young brave recording according to the custom must take the maiden ot of his choice by the blind baud and lead her between two lines ot of braves if I 1 there was anyone within the lines who opposed the young lover taking the maiden as his squaw he must stand forward and oppose the progress ot of the would be bridegroom but it none stopped stepped forward to challenge allonge ch his pro gress gresa and he passed through the lines successfully he thus received the consent of the tribe to claim the maiden according to the custom the appos ing brave must meet hla lits rival face to face and stop his progress should the would be bridegroom succeed in passing his opponent by any means trickery speed or strength he was then trea free to proceed down the line among the beautiful malda maids of the farrust tribe there was none that could compard compare in loveliness with the maid ot of Sina wava daughter ot of chief Sim wava the tame fame ot of this maiden and her many virtues had throughout the entire southland and many were the suitors that came seek ing the privilege ot of leading her through the line of braves from over the colorado came the proud Ba Bar oneto roneta chief of the Nava cavajos navajos Na valos jos prom from the mine came chief and from froin the Alo haves the stately yoo ot of her many suitors there was waa none im GO offensive to the mr mald id oil en than tho big sensual warrior Moka pots who camo came wooing her from the desert regions to tho the north but the pleadings of all these braves were in vain to the comely maiden no whisperings of love were so sweet as those that fell from the lips ot of her own tribes tribesmen men Pa hritz she loved lared with all the pas islo nate longings ot of her young soul he was not so BO powerful as aa many ot of her admirers ile ho was in tact fact a ot of a youth with fine tea fea tures and a keen eagle eye bespeak ing pride and ambition ile he was also gentle and refined ond ever willing to sacrifice tor for the comfort of the maid of 0 SI Sina wava each n ach fall as the farrust indians indiana ame mme into this region the maid ot of caid and would want der hand in hand up the canyon often stopping in chrt is now known as aa the temple their favorite where they whispered to each other the old familiar tale of love and dreamed ot of the day when pah altz ritz would lead her through the line ot of baves an claim her tor for his own orten octen in their moments ot of loving reverie they would bo disturbed by the presence seen and at I 1 other times unseen ot of the big sensual warrior from the desert for although Moka pots knew that his at tensions tent tona ions wore were offensive to bo the maid yet he nevertheless persisted in tore fore ink ing them upon her and would often tallow follow the idere ad sp spy nion n them in their moments of love Pa hritz although a vigorous keen eyed youth was physically TIO no match tor for hla his broad shouldered rival from the desert beselt and because of at this tho maid hed had otten often wondered it Molia Moka pots in Ms ills jealousy would appose her lover when lib would lead her through the line ot of braves in the days ot of the golden autumn when the maid ot of Sina Sl wava hed reached the age of eighteen summers runners were sent to the surrounding tribes with the announcement that during the tall fall hunt while the per par rust rual were camped ca in tho the vicinity ot of zion canyon tha manly proposed to load lead the beautiful majd maid of through the line of 0 braves many lany the indian braves that gathered there that tall fall the camps extended over the tao flats end cold well into the canyon a tiling wal quite unusual as the disliked the idea ol of camping within the canyon V walls 1113 within the camp were may DY braves who had once cast longing eyes toward the tha maiden some ot of the braves were experienced men ot oc power and well able to oppose the progress ol of but realizing the geert love that existed between the maiden and they came to honor not to oppose the choice ol of the spot where the ceremony should be held was as left to the lovers and they the place now known aa the temple 01 ol Sina wava As aa ule the hour ol of the ceremony arrived tie the two lines formed across the flat within the temple whoa when all was in readiness Pa hritz with gre and gentleness stepped to the he dobrof the tepee occupied by tho the maid and her mother ile he stood tor for a moment in silence while a mothers farewell caress was bestowed upon her daughter the girl stepped forth radiant and chroming hand in hand the lovers proceeded to the heza ol of the waiting co column lunin where chief Sina wava greeted thern them and bade them proceed between the lines slowly in accordance with the custom of tho the tribe they moved tor for ward the braves in the lines expressing their approval by a serles adries ot of in articulate grunts midway the line stood the powerful Moka pots sullen and revengeful As the couple approached he ie stepped forward several of the braves knowing that his attentions had never been received favorably tried tiled to dissuade him feeling that what be could not win by love he should not attempt to take tabs by force Moka pots with a proad broad jealous grin playing across his bis face insisted upon his right to oppose leading the gentle maiden never faltered ills his eagle eye cougot tho the situation at a glance and the very tery thought of anyone attempting to take wava from him increased his courage and determination ath her as the prize death would be sweeter than defeat Moha Moka pots realizing his bis superior strength stood carelessly sm awaiting utting the test his hia very carelessness careless gave his opportunity every eye was centered upon him the tha squaws squads seated about the campfire camp tire heretofore indifferent to the ceremony now arose that they might better view the proceedings the tha maid with her heart loudly pounding and with a prayer upon her lips permitted herself to be led forward her mind doubted but her heart trusted Moka pots squared himself for the encounter Pa hritz with the tha agility of a mountain lion moved amov ed as it if to at trek tt ck on the left and then with light ning swiftness so cleverly executed that one know knew exactly what happen ed dodging to tho the right passing quickly under the arm of the over conal dent Moka pots taking Sina wava with him although failing to realize just what had happened yet all were delighted A roar of laughter mingled with approving grunts arose from the lines and from the camp of squaws squads Moka pots was humiliated and em barr assed to be thus so en cleverly elud berous derous curl played for a moment up ed by his smaller opponent A murdon hla his lips and then in defiance of all the customs ot of the tribe he turned and rushed upon his rival from the back being thus suddenly st tacked from the rear was waa easily beaten down he tell fell to the gro ground und his licad head striking upon a sharp rock although he was knocked unconscious the injury was nut not thought to be serl ous an hour passed and he did not we decover iraco cover vor tho the lines were temporarily broken and was moved to the tepee of Sina wava the shadows ot of darkness settled over the canyon and yet no change with a prayer tor for his recovery the faithful maden watch ed through the tha long night As tho wee hours ot of the morning approached be was gradually weakening the great spirit ars calling As the morning sun rose over the mountain ot of the bleeding heart theart tho the spirit of dabritz was taken to the indians happy ground after appropriate r funeral ceremonies ce the body at the request of the malden maiden was placed in a grave in the center ot of the temple wear near the rock now known re the alter it was at this spot that the lovers had first talked of going through the line ot of braves together A large stone was waa rolled over the grave to mark the spot As the tribe returned to the sunny valleys 0 of the rio nio vergin Sina wava legged begged to be permitted to remson for yet a little longer promising her mother that she would follow within a few aweeka at most being left alono alone she moved her tepee near the burial apol the days passed into weeks but she was in sensible to everything but the whisperings ot of the wind which to her was the voice 0 of speaking epe aking of their lovo love and ot of the flay day when he would lead her through the line ot of braves and claim her for his bis own the mother and friends waited for her return after many weeks of anxiety a sew ching party was sent out tie the early st storms orvii of winter had already placed a blanket ot of snow I 1 over aver the landscape the pm ty lv reached the camp ct at the mouth of i the canyon but not finding liere here there they proceeded with difficulty to the graec where they found lier her tepee beside the rock they entered and found her within but had re turned and tehon taken her spirit through the long lone line ot of braves and claimed lier her tor for his own the rock marking his burim place I 1 was removed and she together with all her belongings was placed with her lover where they still rest and it you will b but ut cross the river to the altar and remain there during the i long hours of the night you will still hear bear the voices of oc the beautiful hinr wava and the manly as they whisper their immortal words of love in honor of vie the old chief chi ef and ills hla beautiful daughter the maiden of alna wava and the faithful love that existed between her and Pa hritz the indians named the valley the temple of zion bryce nature notes |
