The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-11-15

I AAA-AL lin AAAA.
SONORA CAPTIVE HER RUDE But TRUE
FRIEND.
We will not follow our travellers, who
were soon pIoughing the waters of the
great Mississippi with hearts palpitat-
ing between hope and fear, but return
to our heroine, who, poor girl, needs all
our consolation.
1t was near midnight when Norman
left Sonora in the hands of Lodi and
Hard Heart AS soon as he had gone,
Lodi entered the next room and re-
turned with a bundle, which she laid
upon the table, bidding Hard Heart as
she did so to retire from the room. Clos
ing the door she revealed to the view
of the terrified girls two Indian cos
tunes with everything complete. Bid
ding Sonora to dress herself in one as
quickly as possible, she threw the other
to Rissey, telling her to do the same.
} Sonora, who looked in vain for pity
from the faces Of the cold-hearted saw
ages with whom she had to deal, threw
herself upon her knees, imploring her
as woman, if she had any pity or hope
of salvation hereafter, to let her return
home, or at least to inform her where
she was, for as yet she was in utter ig-
norance-offering her all the money
and jewels she had with her, and prom
ising her far more, If she would only re-
store her to those parents who loved
her so dearly. But of what avail? She
might as well have plead with a stone,
so deaf was her listener to all her en-
treaties.
Looking at her, while a bitter smile
wreathed her lips, she replied:
"The pale-face must do as she is told,
or the tomahawk of Hard Heart will
kill her, and her scalp will hang at the
belt of Lodi"
Poor Rissey was too much fright
ened at the countenance of the Indian
woman and the strange language to
open her mouth or have a word to say
in her own defense. Looking at her
mistress, who told her to do as she was
bid, she soon arrayed herself as a COM
mon squaw.
Sonora, taking her own pretty dress
from off her, threw it upon the lounge,
and replaced it with that which had
been given her. Throwing over her
shoulders a large red blanket, and al
lowing Lodi to lace the moccasins upon
her delicate feet, she felt her hopes die
out and her heart sink within her at the
sight of her strange attire.
+ Taking the cast-off garments, Lodi
tied them in bundle, and opening the
door, beckoned to Hard Heart, who en-
tered with a bottle in his hand. Taking
a sponge he applied a dark mixture to
the hands and face of Sonora, who,
through fear and exhaustion, sat per-
fectly quiet during the operation. Then
placing large fiat upon the head OF
Rissey, whose broad blim completely
covered her face, Hard Heart took her
by the hand, as he threw the bundle
over his shoulders, while Lodi, extin-
gushing the candle, followed, leading
Sonora.
Without knowing where she was GO
ing, but with the prospect of dreadful
fate before her, was our heroine led
forth into the darkness of midnight
which enveloped the gloomy hills ot
Weehawken, without one friend tC
speak TO except the faithful creature
who had chosen TO cling to her come
what might.
Taking n lonesome and unfrequented
path, they set out on foot towards Fort
Lee, where q few of the tribe awaited
LOdi's coming to return with her to
their home. Travelling only by night
and eneamping in some out-of-the-way
spot by day, did they trudge on with
their weary and heart-sick eaptives,
who seemed so weak and overcome that
it was with difficulty they could pro-
ceed. Rissey, however, seemed to bear
the fatigues better than her young mis-
tress, though she kept a revengeful ST.
ienee and seemed TO be pondering some
mode Of escape.
1t was near the close of Oetober ere
they arrived within sight OF PlaOue
Mine. Leaving their prisoners with
Lodi to watch them, Hard Heart en-.
tered the town and procured some pro.
visions in exchange for skins and sun.
dry articles, which they had procure,
on their journey. With these he sool
returned, and once more they set on
for their place of destination, whicI
was about seventy miles distant, AM
about fifty from the encampment Of tn
Coupees, of whom Many Canoes, tn
lover of White Star, was chief.
1t was night on the third day afte
this that they arrived. The rain wa
pouring down in torrents.
Never till now had our heroine s
fully realized the horrible and heart
siekening reality of her situation, wheI
she found herself in the midst of tn
great forest, whose tall trees vibrate
with the sound of the bowling wind a
itswept signing through their branche:
and the dark and cruel faces OF the wal
like savages, who sat crouched aroun
the fire, which seemed 10th to burn .
the heavy drops came trickling dom
through the leafless trees.
AS the travellers entered their mids
the tribe set up such yell for joy tha
Sonora for a moment felt her sense
leave her, while Rissey, who kne'