Legend of Summit Lake (the meeting place) Traditional Cache
Legend of Summit Lake (the meeting place)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Legend Of Summit Lake "In the days of Sha-ah-sha (long ago) the laws of the Algonquin Nation were strict and punishment sure, one law was that no tribe could marry into another without the consent of both tribes, and one or the other must first be adopted so that both could be members of one tribe before marriage, or the penalty was death to one or both. There was a Seneca brave came on a visit to the Oneidas and saw at the campfire an Indian girl. She was the belle of the tribe and was called in Indian language Ah-wal-sah, or in the English language the Bluebird. The Seneca was a fine specimen of an Indian brave and was called Be-mah-ga, the meaning of which is a wild grapevine. They were pleased with each other and Be-mah-ga asked her hand in marriage. A council was called, and Yo-sah-keed, the Me-ga-sah-gwan, the Sag-a-more and chiefs convened at Lake A-me-mah, or Pigeon Lake.(This great spring is known as Summit Lake) The council was convened by the tribe, and after a long deliberation it was decided that the marriage was impracticable and impossible. Be-mah-ga was not discouraged in his attempt to possess Ah-wal-sah. Agreeing to meet in the forest at a certain place, (the location of this cache) they resolved to flee to the Ah-ha-ta-kas (Onondagas) and claim their protection. The meeting took place and westward they journeyed, toward the home of Ah-ha-ta-kas. Now, among the Indians there are several ways of conveying news very quickly over a wide tract of country. One of these is by striking blows on hollow or dry trees. Three raps with a pause and then repeated meant "listen." It was principally used to call attention. One rap at intervals meant to be alert, to listen, to watch out; and so a regular code of signals was fully established and recognized by the various tribes of the Ojibway-Algonquin Nations. In a short time it was known to every tribe of the Six Nations that the two had broken the laws and were absconding against the decision of the council. Fleet runners were dispatched on the trail. "With the long lope which can tire, The hound's deep hate or hunter's ire." The next day they were brought into camp on the shores of Lake A-me-mah. The council was convened but the recreants remained sullen, obstinate, and silent. The council pipe was passed from one to another, no word was spoken, but one after another arose and struck the totem pole. This was the unanimous decree that the death penalty must follow. Placing them back to back, they were firmly lashed together. The death chant followed, in which the captives remained silent. Then the song of triumph burst from the lips of the captives. They were carried into the middle of the lake, while Ah-wal-sah continued her death chant. On reaching the center of the lake, their weighted bodies were lifted up and dropped into the placid waters. A few bubbles rose to the surface and all was still. So, it is said by many that the spirit of Ah-wal-sah still hovers about the lake and the sweet voice of the Indian maiden is heard singing the weird melody of her death song as she floats above the waters. Many claim to have heard this singing. Some solemnly waver that they have heard the rapping on trees to warn of their escape. Whether the legend be true or not the lake has a wide reputation of being haunted and there are those who cannot be prevailed upon to visit it at night.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
na nccebcevngr fvta sbe gur fgbel