The record-union., 1897-11-28


conglomeration of boiled herbs-he pre-
pared 10 retire Nanika joined the re-
Veiers, seating herself among a group
OF squaWs who We're chatting and
| laughing ana naTrating the latest goS-
SIP OF the neighboring rancherias. The
female members of the aborigines were
as fond OF gossip and chat as are their
civilized kindred to-day.
Meanwhile Wanatah had wrapped
himself in his blanket and stretched
hiihssiI before the entrance of his
mothers hut
But tell me, she said, seating herself
on stump near him, hast heard the
cause why the white men shot that
indiana"
He killed their calf Serves him
right
And how did they find it out?" she
added
Find 1t out? Why, the fool didn't
nave sense enough TO fly. They traced
his footprints. But do not weary me,
mother. l must rest. Do not let the
white folks bother You. See,' he
laughed, raising himself on his elbows,
and digging his hands into his pockets,
even they have their uses"
He handed her chunk of tobacco
which she began to chew with the skill
Of one to the manner born. Lulled to
sleep by the monotonous chanting which
was waited on the cool, crisp air. he was
soon lost to the world of reality. Nanika
and kaitah also soon returned and
without waking the two sleeping In
dians, settled themselves on the sandy
floor of the hut, only to Immediately fall
asleep.
The noise of the worshipers could still
be heard, although the crowd had great
ly diminished and gradually the chant
ing grew fainter, the supply of dancers
was exhausted, and as all were more or
less wearied with long walking excite
ment and dancing, a profound silence
soon reigned supreme. Nothing but the
cracking bonfires betrayed the presence
Of the sleeping Indians.
About midnight the air was suddenly
rent with a piercing shrek; then all
was still for few moments But pre-
sently dogs began to bark and Wanatah,
listening attentively, soon heard COM
motion that fairly paralyzed him. AT
first he thought he had been the victim
of evil dreams, but no. those shreks and
whoops proved the fallacy of this con-
jucture. He saw phantom-like forms
fitting to and fro and then-could it
be true-white men armed with axes,
clubs. knives.
"Awakev' he shouted in a metallic
voice there is danger. The white men
assail u.s.
Instantly Nanika sprank to her lords
side, gazing intently in the direction
irl, -1,,~in
and loud wailing. Kaitah vigorously
shook his aged mother who was loath to
leave her couch. When her confused
senses We're collected, however, and she
grasped the situation, instinctivly she
groped about in the stygian darkness
until her hands rested uoon a bowie
knife. With a grunt of satisfaction,
and nearing Wanatah, who stood as still
and erect as a statue, watching the
moving figures, she whispered ner-
vously:
What shall we do, my SOM"
Hasten to the canoe with Nanika
and Kaitah. will approach nearer and
learn the trouble"
wilt thou not come with us?" said
the old woman. No? Well then take
this" and she passed him the knife.
Perhaps thou canst use it to advan-
tage."
"Kaitah," he called, "if do not come
soon, hasten to yonder wooded thicket
OH the mainland. 1 will swim"
Like a flash his brother and squaw
ran for the canoe, but the progress OF
the aged mother was slow.
He watched them as they fled, but
his heart for an instant seemed to stop
beating as he saw a white man, armed
with a hatchet, suddenly approach from
the beach He would certainly intercept
his mother. The two others We're safe.
no doubt, as they We're already out OF
sight.
She also saw the approaching man,
and, spurred on by fear, waddled back
toward her son.
ITO the hut" he cried.
He pushed her through the rude open
ing and breathed a sigh of relief. The
old woman closed the door and her son,
planting his feet firmly on the thresh-
old, and gripping the knife tgntly'
awaited the coming enemy.
For hours Nanflka and Kaitah waited
on the mainland, gazing out into the
darkness and noting the bonhres
as they gradually went out. Tney
started at every sound. Hour after
hour slipped by, and still Wanatah dld
not come. Nanika shivered in the cold
and the wind, as it blew through the
tall redwood trees seemed to be moan
ing sadly. Finally, both. overcome
with WEAKNESS, fell a prey to that
soothing siren, sleep.
When the gray lights of morning be-
gan to appear, Nanfka awoke with
start, as a screeching gull flew by. A
heavy fog enveloped the woodland ana
bay. She rebuked herself for sleeping
and looked about for her lord He had
not come. Kaitah, too, was moving.
Let us return to the island, she
said. addressing herself to the youth,
who was stretching his stiff limbs.
There may be danger-the white
men may still be there. We are with
out weapons"
Arm thyself with a club of dried
wood. Wouldst stay here forever? The
friendly fog will shield u.s."
Once again they entered the canoe
and swiftly reached the shore whence
they had fled but a short time before
All was quiet, not a sound marred the
stiffness. Cautiously, stealthily, they
crept toward the hut. They could see
but a few yards ahead of them, so
heavy was the fog. AS they drew near
a dark object was visible before the
entrance. They halted, conversed in
undertones, and then hastened to the
spot. where lay the dead body Of Wa
natah mutilated to such an extent
that it was scarcely recognizable.
Nanika sent up a doleful vail, and
bent over that PROSTATE form which
but few hours ago had been the en-