The Legends of San Francisco Part 5

'I am Zarando, the Tamal, Chief of the Thousand Oaks People.

Pardon me, if I have wounded A pet of the beautiful stranger.'

Under the arm of Merita The frightened fawn crept for protection.

'I am Merita, the daughter Of Yado, the Chief of the Fishers Who live by the Lake of the Oak Trees.

The Fawn is my friend, and she answers My call to all wild forest creatures.'

'I have a call,' said Zarando, 'A call to decoy the wild creatures Into the range of my arrows, Yet few are deceived by the pretense.

Teach me your call, oh, Merita.

'Nay, nay, Zarando; love only Will draw the wild creatures around you.

Love does not change cannot injure-- The shaft is not aimed at a loved one.

If you would draw the wild creatures, Love them, and guard them from danger.'

'I am a hunter, Merita, And yet would I gladly abandon The bow and the trap to secure The charm that the Great Spirit gives you.

Tell me the secret, Merita, Teach me to speak in the language Of all the wild creatures around you; Teach me to know and to love them.'

Then were the first lessons given, Where now gather thousands of students, Beneath the old widespreading live oaks That stand by the stream in the Campus.

There the first Teacher and Pupil, Merita and young Chief Zarando, Met on the mornings that followed, Met for the love of the study, And then for the love of each other.

No more were the Tamals and Fishers Rivals, at war with each other; United they lived as one people-- One people around the great harbor.

Zarando, their chief ruled with justice; Merita, their Queen ruled with mercy.

Their village grew up where the oak trees Stand on a point in the Lakelet.

The water birds came at her calling, And thronged on the Lake of Merita, Holding conventions, and heeding The judgments she gave in their quarrels.

No one disturbed them nor harmed them; There was a refuge from danger.

It is said that souls of the lovers Still live in the oak trees that border The sh.o.r.e of the Lake of Merita; And that water-birds come at their calling, And throng, unafraid, on the waters, Hearing the song of Merita:

'Come, come, come, birds of the air, For I love you.

Come, come, come, tell how you fare, For I love you.

Come, come, come, I bring you aid, For I love you.

Come, come, come, be not afraid, For I love you.'

Come, come, come, Come, Come, Come."

The End