ISSAQUEENA'S RUN (part one)

In the shadows of blue mountains
when Appalachians were frontier
war between the French and English
days of cruel bloodshed were here

On the river Keowee
in Indian village of same name
across the river from a French fort
dwelt a maid of lasting fame

Born a Choctaw, Issaqueena
stolen when she was a child
name was changed from Cateechee
raised to be demur and mild

Kuraga was her liege and chief
her Cherokee lord and master
who held firm in his belief
English settlers were a disaster

Hence the French and Cherokee
joined to force tha English out
by raiding settlers' scattered homesteads
murder,with war cry and shout

Men and women,children,babies
none were spared by Cherokee
payment made for all the scalps
Goal? Drive English to the sea

Amid the oak and chestnut forest
Alan Francis plied his trade
trading among settlers and Indians
discovered love where fate forbade

For Issaqueena held his heart
and he held hers just the same
an Englishman who she should hate
they loved in secret but not shame

They dare not let the tribesmen know
of trysts among the mountain laurel
where love and promises were made
regardless of their people's quarrel

Then there came a fateful day
she overheard Kuraga say
his braves would attack Fort Niney Six
and Alan and all English slay

.........end part one......