Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-30

ii is fitting he should have company.
"And does this always happen when
one of your people dies?'
Certainly; thong. some have not so
many companions; but all have one.
When the last Great Sun died, there
were one hundred who went to keep him
company over the dark road"
80 many?''
"Yes-and of course they were happy,
for with him they were at once admitted
to the happy home where the Great
Spirit is"
But" queried White Hand. "Stung
Serpent has been dead now four days,
and these people will not die until to-
night. How. then, shall they go togeth-
err"
"Ah," returned Coqnalla, with faint
smile, which seemed to Indicate pity
for her companions ignorance, my faith
er's spirit win not start alone. 1t re-
mains near the old body until the other
spirits join it, and then they all 90 off
together Do you not understands
yes"
And is it not right and proper|
at is, il you think so; but / should
hardly dare give my voice in favor of IL.
Why, look. Coquala, and tell me IL this
very thing has not already reduced your
nation from onca powerful people to
mere handful"
MY father spoke Of that ere he died"
answered the princess. thoughtfuly. HE
said he wished only his few immediate
companions to go with him beyond the
grave, and even they must be old peo-
pie"
"And he was right, Coqualla. have
heard that the Natchez were once
mighty race~-a great nation, numbering
their warriors by the many thousands,
| and now they have only very few hun
dred. In a large community, under or
binary circumstances, the births will not
much overrun the deaths by nature. But
see here--not only do your people die off
as do others, but for every one who dies
naturally from one TO a hundred more
must be killed to keep them company"
II know" said Coqualla. thoughtfully
~ know. But still it were cruel to
send my fathers spirit away over the
| dark, long trail alone. Your people do
not think of this They do not think OF
the loved spirit wandering away in the
dark alone"
Yes they do, Coqualla."
"They do?"
"Yes."
"And yet they send them no company"
"Ah, their company comes from the
| other way" spoke White Hand, softly
| and sweetly when a human soul de-
! parts, we, or /, believe that the loved
| ones who have gone before come down
| to lead the newborn spirit away to heav-
| en- have a mother there, Coqnala, and
! | think she will come down to earth
! when my spirit departs, and welcome
! me TO the home of the blest ones. Sure
| ly they know the way through the dark
| valley better than we could, or better
| than ar others of earth"
| Gradually the Indian girls hands were
| brough. together over her bosom, aud
| her head was bowed When she looked
| up there was strange tight in her eyes
| and a soft, hopeful expression dwelt upon
| her dusky features.
white Hand she whispered, tell
! me that again"
! lis not the theme more pleasing than
| the strangling Of helpless victims over
| the graves Of the dead?" the youth ask
/ ed, kindly,
''Yes-yes But tell me more"
AND White Hand went on and whis-
| pered into his companions ear the whole
OF his own pure faith in God and the ris-
en- Saviour, and when he had done the
princess murmured:
lit is sws>t, and it is better than the
| faith have been taught"
She bowed her head again, and this
time she remained a long v'tile thought
| FL: and when she next 1ked up, a
| change had come over her vountenan
white Hand" she said. Il promised
my father that | would help you escape
! from here, If sou wished. What have /
to remain here for? My father is dead;
/ have no brother or sister, ana the ways
of my people are net pleasant to me. May
| not 40 with you?'
The youth threw his arms about the
fair speakers neck and drew her upon
his bosom
"Coaualla. speak hut the word, and I'll
die in thy service, If necessary, 10 lead
you to my fathers home 0, we will not
be separated.
The burial was over. Stung Serpent
reposed In his grave. and oy his side lay
| the bodies of those who had, in obedi-
ence TO the cruel faith and custom, given
ua their lives that they might keep their
loved chief company hs his dark journey.
Add once more the Natchez commenced
their mad orgies over their victory. for
they were not yet satiated.
Late NJ night, while the warriors were
dancing ana bowling in the square, Prick
ca Arm came to White Hands lodge and
called him out. The youth could not sec
her face ,in the gloom. but from the man
ner OF her breathing. he could tell that
sac was deeply moved by something.
white Hand she said. oar plot has
worked exceeding well. Not blow has
been struck save here Mt Natchez; so the
! great mass of the French are saved, But
thou art in danger here. The moment
tae Natchez end that their plan has fail
eel they will suspect thee, for it has
been whispered that sou visited the tenn
pie, and the Great sun. when he looked
towards the west for the moon asst night
and saw 1t .' was perpleXed. This night
they saw the new moon for the irss time
ard they remembered, for the rst time
tor, that the moon ought to hive been
week old Amid their mad JOY they
hsve not thought of this before. But
they think of it now, and fear has al
rsady seized upon some of them, though
t<ose few keep 1t 10 themselves. Now
ydu can Judge how much risk you run
And viii they suspect me-: the you'd
. t.stered. TREMENDOUSLY
They viii he likely 10; for you are q
tie hated people, aud your powerful
, rysend is dead. Dark, angry eyes hav'
treen bent upon You, because you havf