Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-16

and all we're solsmnly pledged. The day
was fixed upon which the fatal blow was
to be struck; and that there should be
no mistake, bundle of sticks was pre-
pared for each village, corresponding in
number to the days that must elapse be-
| fore the death stroke. These bundles
were placed in their respective temples,
! and each day the chief was to go in and
/ take one stick away. And when they
were all gone--on the day that saw the
last stick remoyed-the avengers were to
strike.
From the shores of the Mexican gulf
to the Yazoo, and from the waters Of the
Tombecbee TO the Sabine, every warrior
was armed for the occasion, and eagerly
waiting the coming of the fatal moment.
! The whites were watched at every step,
and each red man had his victim marked.
Slowly, one by one, as each succeeding
sun rolled over. those fatal sticks were
| removed, and Chopart only waited pa
tiently for his rich prize.
One Of the wives OF the Great Sun was
called Bras Pique," or Pricked Arm,
from the many strange devices which she
had marked upon her arms. Pricked
Arm loved the French, and she failed not
to serve them on every occasion when
she could. She saw these secret rleet-
ings of the warriors, and her suspicious
were aroused. She knew of the demand
that had been made for the village of the
White Apple and she knew that these
meetings Of the council we're touching
that matter. She noticed the fierce looks
of the men, their angry gestures, and
their vengeful glances towards the
French fort, and she feared that some
calamity was 10 hefall her white friends
Pricked Arm made up her mind to save
the French if possible, not only at
Natpnez, but at ali orher points; and TO
this end she must not only put Chopart
on is guard, but she must cause the
Natchez TO give a premature alarm, and
thus the whites in other sections would
take warning, for she dared not attempt
to convey intelligence to other stations
for fear Of being detected by her own
people. Her first movement was to make
her way to the temple, but she could not
gain access there, no woman ever being
allowed within the sacred building. Two
nights in succession she skulked about
the place. but the warriors within, who
watched the holy fire, were too vigilant
for her, In this extremity she thought Of
White Hand, and late one night she went
to him and called him out.
",'hite Hand" she sale, when they had
reached the very tree under which the
Great Sun had once before spoken with
the youth. have you the courage of
warriorY'
Il have the courage of man." he re-
piled in establishment.
"Then can you keep an oath?'
''If it may be kept with honor"
THE oath which | require may, but
will not ask it of you, for your own safety
will hp'd you. Know. then, that there
is a ,,l.t on foof Ior the massacre-for
the entire extermln ltion-of every white
man, woman and child in the country.
And mark me-this plot is deep and well
founded. and it moves on TO its consum-
nation as surely as the now absent sur
moves on towards the morning"
"All-every one?' uttered White Hand.
in alarm.
Yes. Every tribe has the signal, and
the one fatal day is set. 1t is to be on
the day when our people pay their tribute
OF corn, Every white man is marked,
and unless something be done to thwart
the red men. the terrible blow must fall"
Louis clasped his hands, for his
thoughts were of his father and Of his
sister and of his friend st. Denis.
Can there be no stop to tais?" he
asked
"Yes-if you have courage"
Then put me TO it,"
Listen. | can warn the people at
Natehez. but that will not save the 9TH
ers. In the temple there is bundle Of
cypress sticks. They are hung by two
shongs OF bearskin back Of the altar. In
that bundle there are as many sticks us
there are days between now and the fatal
blow; could we remove seven of those
sticks, the Natchez would make prema-
ture attack. The people at the fort would
be prepared. In other places down the
river. and on the great salt lake, the req
men will mistrust nothing. and while they
wait eagerly for the passing Of the next
seven days, the alarm can be spread. 70
you understand"
Perfectly" returned White Har 1.
And will you do it,"
II will try, even to the death"
Good, But let it be soon"
By different paths the two returned TO
the village, Pricked Arm retiring 10 her
own dwelling, while the youth spent some
time In walking thoughtfully about the
great square. When he at length entered
his own dwelling he found his wife
asleep, but he did not join her He spent
some time in walking up and down the
place, and his face betrayed the deep anx-
iety that moved within him. He had
marked the stern, angry looks OF the
stout warriors. and he had noticed Their
frequent councils, but he did not dream
that such dreadful plan had occupied
their thoughts. He faneied they were.
Mt most, only planning some means for
seif-3efense But now the truth was APP
parent. His father was in danger-all
his eountrymen We're in danger Thus h.
was walking up and down the apartment,
when his wife awoSe ard look ed for him
white Hand" she said. sitting NJ in
the bed, why walk y,u thus when he
night ia waning?'
Il was thinking Of my home Coqualla.'
The princess arose and approached her
husband.
And thou art sad" she murmured,
looking up into his face.
"Yes, Coaualla--very sad. | would 80
into the temple and pray"
Then why so you not inT'
Because | cannot gain admittance
there. | am not a warrior, and none but
warriors are admitted there"
But thou arc by marriage a Little
Sun Of the Natchez. aud as such. thou
canst demand admission there and none
shall dare refuse thee, Take thy offer
ing Of walnut wood and go. Say to the
guardians there L come as a SIM of tho