The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-12-13


possible means of saving him from the
power of these brutal savages, and from
so horrible a death ?" pleaded the low
voice of our heroine, as she clung closer
to the arm which supported her, while a
death-like stiffness reigned around.
mo way, 1 fear, my beloved; for,
though would fain have it otherwise,
still, should we seek to liberate him, it
would only be the scene of more MUIR
der, and perhaps endanger your own
precious life"
'Better, then, that it be so. Will
ingly would die in his stead, il by the
prolongation of his life he might become
true and exemplary Christian"
"Never shall that be, noble, self-saeri-
ficing girl! Were 1t In my power I
would gladly free him, and give him an
opportunity of retrieving his wicked
life by doing right in future; but it is
utterly impossible for us to do anything
under the present circumstances. We
must therefore be content to leave him
in the hands of the Almighty, hoping
that He may pardon his guilty soul"
"Come, friends, let us be movingw
exclaimed the voice Of Many Canoes, as
he beckOned to Catherine, who seemed
to be transfixed in q deep study.
The party now prepared 70 depart, all
but Catherine and Lodi, who were con-
versing in low tones, when the former
suddenly exclaimed:
"Never! Never will trust him again
out of my sightr and before any one
could prevent the act, so quick was her
movement, she made one spring for
ward and buried the dagger, which had
formerly belonged to Norman, within
his heart; then rushing frantically from
the scene, she plunged into the thick
forest and disappeared.
At the same instant that Norman ut
tered one long and piercing groan, as
his head dropped and his eyes closed, a
very heavens, which was followed by
flash of lightning so vivid, that for a
moment all held their breath with fear.
So quick and so fearful had been the
deed that all seemed paralyzed. Poor
Lodi, who had risked the anger of her
whole tribe to save our friends, seemed
greatly terrified at beholding the awful
deed and she cried out in most piteous
accents:
"May the Good Spirit preserve me!
May the Good Spirit preserve mew as
she kept close TO the side of Many Ca
noes, rs though she feared her own tribe
Though they suspected her of being i'm
plicated in the sudden turn of affairs,
they We're too superstitious and awe
struck to think of her just then.
Lemitren, throwing down his toma-
hawk, exclaimed:
"The Good Spirit is offended! Let
Many Canoes and the pale-faces depart
that we may once more have peace
among us" and pointing with his fin
ger towards the east, motioned for them
to move on. Though the rain was pour
ing down in torrents, and the lightning
seemed now and then TO dazzel them
with its flashes, still they hesitated not
to accept the terms of freedom, and
gladly did they proceed on their weary
though joyful pilgrimage. Sonora,
with a mind filled with conflicting emo
tions, rs she thought of the miserable
end of Norman, was unable to speak,
but suffered Clarence to lead her away
in silence.
Rissey, whose joy was now boundless,
could not restrain herself, and hugging
Lodi, who had accepted the invitation
to return with them, she exclaimed:
"Oh, Lodi, you am sich a good Ingin!
De Lord bress you! How could ever
be so 'fraid of you, but 1 tell you, it's
enough to make any one git scarf to see
dem Ingins! Ughl / wonder if Jinks
know Ris in dis fancy dress" and TAX
ing hold of her blanket, she ran skipping
along, the very life of the party.
ITO be continued.l