Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-09-11

how to set the spirit free without pain.
With quick start White Hand bound
ed back from Stups Ssrpent's touch. The
whole truth new came upon him. He
knew that The temple in y neighboring
village had been recently stlurk by light
ming and burned to ashes. and he had
heard that the governor Of the fort at
Rosalie had protested to ask his God 70
send the calamity upon them. Now the
Indians, in their ignorance OF faIth, be-
lieyed they could send a message to the
offended God Of the white man. and that
when he knew the truth, his anger would
be apr easeG
III Jldr h, uttered, raising his hand
towards the prince. What have | done
that you should take my life? From a
small boy / have grown up here, and
never, by thought or deed did l harm 10
one of your people. Why, then, do you
take an innocent person to siayE
The pale boy has fallen into our pow
err. and we would send him on a holy
mission. Not in anger or revenge do we
seek TO do this, but only for good. Thou
art cast-away from those you loved,
and surely you would rather be with
those Of your people vino have gone TO
the land Of spirits before you than 10
have no home"
And you think | will carry he mes
sage you would senuT' cried the youth.
NO" he added, deeply and solemdy Il
will tell the Great spirit hGw | was
poor prisoner in your hands ] will tell
him thus: In my own home | haG BIT
ter enemy. That enemy desired my
ruin that he might possess all my father
gold: so he betrayed me into the hands
Of the red men. They took me with them
to their village, and | murmured not.
Then they seized me, as they would
brute. and murdered me in cold blood.
Thus will | speak unto the God of heay-
en-. aud ask for vengeance upon my muir
derers. Be sure, now, ye warriors of the
Natchez. that / will do as | have said.
| have harmed ye not.
The red warriors were perplexed, and
for some moments they whispered togeth-
err in their own tongue. Then Stnng Ser
pent approached his prisoner and took
him by the hand, and having gazed awhile
into his face he said:
DO you believe Stung Serpent would
speak a falsehood2'
II do not was White Hands imme-
diate answer.
Then listen to me. Ii | spare your
life, | must speak falsehood, for prom
Used that you should not live
'To whom did you make such a prom
ise?" the youth asked.
Never mind. Such promise / made.
But have no desire to keep it, now that
you will not carry the message we ask
you to, save for mine honor"
Honor! And can the noblest warrior
OF all the Little Suns Of the Natchez find
honor in taking the life of one who never
harmed him."
Not in that-not in that. Yet | gave
my word"
Thus speaking, the old warrior walked
slowly to the other end of the temple,
and then came back again. and when he
stopped, ray Of light had shot athwart
his dusky features.
white Hand" he said. speaking more
deeply than before, 'can I know thar
thou wilt not speak falsehood to me
that if | have a promise from thee may
rest assured it will be most sacredly
kep.T"
''Ay-upon my lifer' replied the prison
er. bowling low.
Then if l spare thee now, wilt thou
swear not to reveal myself to any white
person who shall come hither to our viii
lage, and that thou wilt not leave our
village save with my CONSENT Shall
have this promise from thee?"
The youta hesitated not an instant:
but the promise was given quickly aud
distinctly.
Then come with me now, and In time
thou shalt see me again. But remem-
ber y promise is given on thy life, and
Stung Serpent trusts thee. Not another
man of all thy people could have moved
the Natchez prince as thou hast
Thus speaking Stung Serpent staiked
from the temple. and the old man took
White Hand again by the arm and led
him forth Once mere he was conduct
ed to the prison, and without a word
the old Indian pushed him in, and then
locked the door upon him..