The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"SILVERKING"

THIS STORY WAS PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
IT TOOK PLACE SOMEWHERE IN THE OLD WEST, AROUND 1830.
MY FATHER TOLD IT TO ME, AND HIS FATHER TOLD IT TO HIM.
IT IS AN EXPLANATION FOR HOW MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER
MET HIS BRIDE.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDMA (BEFORE MEETING GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA) WAS
CAPTURED BY THE AMERICAN INDIANS. THEY TOOK HER BACK TO
THEIR CAMP AND TIED HER UP. SHE BECAME ENSLAVED TO THE REDMEN.
THEN, GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA CHARGED IN, RIDING HIS ARABIAN
STALLION NAMED SILVERKING. HE SAW GRANDMA, SWOOPED HER
UP, AND RESCUED HER. THEY WENT RIDING OFF, AND HE WAS A
HERO TO HER. SHE IMMEDIATELY MARRIED HIM, AND THE INDIANS
NEVER CAPTURED HER AGAIN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS EXCITED IN RETELLING THIS STORY!

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights