The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-10

not slay him openly. Well he knew
that Lotus Flower would then be lost to
him forever. So he employed strate-
gem, and worked his plans SO well that
the scene in the forest glade was the re-
suit.
"Yes: let the pale-face die!" said Ii
ger Slayer. Young Ned Merlin looked
into the face of the chief, firm and reso-
lutte as yer.
'Great Bear owes his life to this
maiden, his daughter. Her hand turned
aside the ball as it sped. The pale
faced friend of Great Bear had forgot
ten his friendship for the chief when the
chief stood with Ratchet raised against
him. Does the chief forget2 Does he
not remember the pale-face son who all
these years has been his friend?"
but does not the white hunter de-
| serve death when he creeps like a snake
in the bushes and turns away from her
father his red childg"
The stern face of the chief grew
! sterner as be looked upon the young
hunters face.
"My wigwam on the hillside is DESC
late, and Lotus Flower would share it
with me. Would the chief Stay the man
who loves the red maidenY
"Does my white brother wish Lotus
Flower to dwell in his lodge2 Does he
ask her to be his squaw and dwell
among the red menl'
He does. He has learned to love the
red maiden and would make her his
squaw."
That's we'll, and the young man shall
not die. He does not speak with a
double tongue, and his words are truth.
The chief did not know that his pale
| faced son could live with his red brethren.
But Lotus Flower should never go from
among her people. My young friend is
good, bat his pale-face friends are false
and Dad. they teach the red man to
lie and cheat and steal. They give him
fire water, and then take away his furs,
his rifle and his horses. They do not
| ooey the Great Manitou, and his breath
is black against them. Sooner than lose
my child. Young pale-face should die"
The knife of the chief severed the
bonds of the captive.
"Let Lotus Flower walk with my
tale brother TO the lodge of her father"
he said.
Ned Merlin said nothing, but led the
maiden away. The most of the war
riors who were Of the chiefs own guard,
look pleased; but a hard look settled
over the stolid face, and q fierce light
burned in the blazing black eyes, as
| Tiger Slayer's hand closed and shut up
on the handle of his knivo convulsively.
Dark rolled the clouds across the face
Of heaven. The winds sighed mourn
full requiem among the lofty trees on
the'hillsidc, as though so lie lost spirits
breath YVES borne on their unerrlng
wings. Now and then, as the h~urying
clouds drifted asunder, n pale moon
flooded the open glades of the forest
below with her pale, energetic light,
only to leave them darker and more
drear for the sudden change. A wild,
terrible night, untitled for any to be
abroad, ave those spirits who might be
intent on wickedness and crime.
And yet two dark figures entered this
solitary glen together. A bright flash
of moonlight revealed their faces for a
moment as their eyes sought each other.
Lotus Flower and the heroic young
hunter, who, for her sake, was perillipg
that which TO every man is so dear, his
life.
When the sun rises above the east
ern hills YOU will be far away my darl-
ing" breathed Ned Merlin, in a voice
scarcely distinguishable above the roar
of the tempest, which swayed the pines
of the lofty valley.
The Manitou, whom Lotus Flower
loves, will save us from that a
Lotus Flower is alone now. TIE Great
Bear is slain. The hand of Tiger Slayer
sought his life. The Flower will leave
her people and 60 with her pale-face
lover to his home. The faces of the
Utahs are no longer open. Their eyes
are blinded by hate, and Tiger Slayer
will rule the people. The young braves
now follow him upon the trail
The whole Of the late terrible tragedy
was told in these brief words. The at
tempt Of Great Bear and his guards to
save the pale-f.c e hunter, so long his
friend. tie yenoeance of Iiper SLAYER