The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-18
Tic Sisd. rising. sighed through the

Tie Sisd. rising. sighed through the
l,incs aud whistled drearily through the
deep. dark ravines and passes surround
ing the valley. ~ !: the spirits OF the do
parted were returning unwillingly
As we stopped in the shade Of tal.
oak and spread our rugs and wraps. we
noticed large waterproof baskets that
held some kind of broth. this was kept
bot by red hot stones thrown in at inter
walls
The Indians were standing or sitting
around in groups and now and again n
dark. silent shape would steal quietly
down some trail and join them
More pine was thrown on the fire. and
as the flame leaped higher the weird Ger
emones commenced A tall muscular
looking Indian arose. and. standing witt,
arms across his chest. broke the intense
silence with low. deep toned exclama
ton From the deep shadow came a
response in low voice. dying away in a
moan. as Of one grief stricken This was
repeated several times Then they drew
near the center fire. and all the squaws
joined hands. walking around and chant
ing in a minor key. the men standing like
statues Then the clothing was thrown
on. the chant. low at FIRST in tone. rising
higher and higher ill the weird wailing
echoed from peak TO peak, and every
raven caught the monrnful cry and re
spoBded
This was kept up till the moon sank be
hind the pines The fires died down. and
all Frustrated themselves We left them
feeling more respect for these untutored
5avages because Of their memory for their
dead The whole scene was one never to
be forgotten.
As we returned to our camp. talking
over the strange rites. we hardly noticed
how dark the trails had become. Two OF
the men walked ahead and two behind as
body guards As we came over the ridge
Belle. who was ahead of me, was startled
by an owl, which fitted from bush close
to Der Stepping hastily on one side. her
foot slipped on the fallen pine needles. ana
with Il startled cry of oh. save mel shc
fell over the edge Of deep ravinc 10
light match and ignite piece Of dry
brush was the work Of an instant. ana
then. too Mortified TO speak. Bart Bli'
mingham threw himself down, facing the
edge, and peered over The light revealed
Belle. in q fainting condition, caught by
the braid of her dress Oh projecting tree
that was already creaking with the strain
Cautiously. with help. Bart unfasiened
The braid and drew her up carefully from
the jaws of most horrible death, and 4
Thank Cod arose from relieved hearts
at the thought Of her miraculous escape 8
1t was 4 silent party that returned to
camp on that dawning Of another day
All laughter and testing died TO silence oil
our lips in the presence of an escaped
danger 10 our bonnie Belle.
We'll. our pleasant trip over, We re.
turned home A letter from Belle reached
me lately. telling me OF her engagement
TO Bart Birmingham, and containing an
invitation to The wedding. In the same
letter she said
DO you remember Clara's speech. which
we thought Bart overheard when he said
that he did not want TO hear it AGAIN.
Well. il was rattlesnake's rattle he
heard that night, close to the trail, the
men thought we would be frightened, so
never spoke Of it. So Clara's mind Is at
rest. und-and-so is mine. for Bart is
perfectionw Waverly Magazine.