Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1901-06-21

meted out to him. Because the Popo-
agie drew its victims so deeply down
into the dark regions under the earth
ind its way to the happy hunting
ground of the tribe. White Elk was not
afraid to die He had met death face
to face a dozen times, and had not
trembled. He had fought with the
Blackfeet and the Sioux, and led his
warriors to victory on many hard
fought field He had fought hand to
hand with the murderous Apaches,
and never knew what it was to be
afraid. But in spite of his seeming
Indifference he shivered as he heard
the hoarse roar Of the Popoagie tum-
bling riotously over the rocks and leap
ing down the precipice to disappear in
the dark depths below. He pictured
his soul fighting with the angry water
to regain the upper air that it might
ascend to the happy hunting ground in
the clouds. But he knew the Popoagie
would triumph. He was certain that
no soul could defeat the malevolent
spirit of the Popoagie. White Elk
could regard death with equanimity,
but he could not bear the thought of
an eternity spent battling with the
spirit of the waters while Laughing
Eyes waited for him in vain in the
| happy hunting ground.
White EIk's head dropped forward
and he groaned. He heard sound be-
-. 1T 10 t,ic
Laughing Eyes stood beside him in the
moonlight. She motioned him with her
hand and he followed her out to the
cliff overlooking the deep crevfce, down
which the Popoagie lost ITSELF On the
cliff the two sat in the moonlight.
"You must not give yourself to the
spirit of the Popoagie," said the girl.
You can go away. 1 will go with
| you. The Blackfeet have been your
enemies, but they love you, for you
are a mighty warrior. To them you
can go and they will make you chief,
and will go with you" White Elk
sat silent. Then he spoke: ST must
die because did not put to death
Nazalla, the Blackfoot chief. had nv
spear at his throat. might have kill
ed him. But years ago Nazalla spared
my life when as boy l was hunting
alone in the forest. He gave me food
and water and showed me the way
back to my own people. 1 could not
kill him as he lay wounded But the
Shoshones fear Nazaila. They think
that with him dead the Blackfeet
i would never more triumph In battle,
would rather die and disappear into
the under darkness forever" The girl
fell on her knees and entreated him
White Elk softly stroked her hair. But
he only shook his head in reply to her
entreaties. Long the two sat there
Then they arose and walked back to
j the village, and White Elk left Laugh
j ing Eyes at the door of her fathers
lodge. Three days passed away. and
the next morning just before sunrise
all the Shoshones were gathered in
/ view of the great rock that lifted itself
above the deep sink hole of the Popo-
Iagie The medicine men of the tribe
swaying their bodies chanted death
/. hymn.
As the first rays of the sun shone
down the valley and rested redly upon
/ the little group on the rock White Elk
stepped forward with a strong young
4 Indian on either side He turned and
looked keenly back at the group Of
women who stood about Laughing
Eyes. He gave a sign and the two
young Indians rested their hands or