Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-09-04
White Hand
"a Tale Of the Early Settlers
s nj Louisiana.
RY AUSTIN c. EuRDlCK
BY AUSTIN c. EuRDlcK
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CHAPTER TX.

cypress swamp, and eight of them repose
themselves to sleep. while the other two
keep watch. Ii is near noon. for the sun
has almost reached It's highest point, and
these men have been upon the trail since
early Lass evening
But these GbiekaSaws are not alone,
CLOSE by the side Of ashuge cypress log,
one end of whicn is be1ded in the swamp,
lies the form u child OF the pale faces,
The hands and the feet are bound, and
a cord from the lasbiHgs Of the hands
leads along the ground. and is elutchcd
by one of the sleeping Indians In those
fair features. now shaded by the large
hog, there is something Of the look OF
Louis st. Julien; but even now the flesh
seems sunken, and the beboider would
think that many days instead Of only
few hours, Of suffering had rested with
in that frame.
Thus the party rested until nearly four
% clock and then one of the Indians. who
had been placed a little way up the riy-
or to watch. gave low, shril whistle,
and on the instant the whole party were
upon their feet, and had seized their
arms. On the next instant. a crashing or
the bushes was heard at no great dis
tanee. and not long afterwards, a parry
of six Indians made their appearance.
He Who led the newcomers was very tall
and athletic. 1t was the Natehez war
rior Stung Serpent.
The stout chieftain spoke not until he
had seen the pale youth who still slept by
the cypress log and then a grunt Of sat
isfaction escaped from his lips. He spoke
with the chief of the Chickasaws for
some time in his own strange tongue, and
then he turned TO where the youth slept,
and awolSe him. The sleeper started up,
and with look of terror, gazed around.
Where is-is-where is my sister," he
asked, in u low, thrilling tone.
She has gone on further south while
sou slept, answered Stnng Serpent. But
the daughter of the white man is safe.
No harm can come to her. for her life
is precious. But you cannot 90 To her
now Iou must go with the Stung Ser
pent to the village Of the White Apple.
What can Louis ST. Julien fear from his
brother
The youth gazed into the face of the
powerful Natchez. and for awhile he
was utterly unable to speak At that
moment Il hundred various thoughts and
emotions flew wildly through his mind.
lie saw his father and vt. Denis still
searching for the hiders, and he heard
their notes OF alarm, and saw their tears
Of grief Then he ran over the fearful
journey through the deep forest. aud he
wondered why he was thus separated
from his mate
Can I not 90 with my sister, he at
length asked
No" was the answer.
And why may we not be ogetherf
Because it is impossible Remember,
The Stung Serpent has spoken,
This was pronounced in slow, mean
ing tone. and Louis st. Julien knew
enough Of the Indian character to know
that no appeal would move his captors
from such purpose He looked around
once more, and when he saw that half
Of the Chiekasaws were gone, he knew
that his companion had gone with them
In the meantime, Stnng Serpent was
performing work thar startled the pris
oner not little After he had given his
last answer to Louis he approached the
Chickasaw chief, and gave to him
heavy purse The latter too il and emp
lied it's contents into his broad palm.
aud Louis saw that it wns gold The
t'hiekasaw's eyes sparkled as they rest nd
npon the coin. Louis elasped his hands
for they were free new-aHd his frame
shook as his former doubts grew to con
iirraations. Who could have placed that
gold in the hands of the Satchez war
riorf TO be sure, there was Il French
fort near the Natchez villages but then
Louis knew that they had no gold to
spare there. Thankful must the Indian
he who could get even few pieces If
silver from the people Of Fort Rosalie,
Then who could have paid this gold bHt
Simon Iobois! The thought came, aud
il was fixed. The prisoners head was
lowed. and when again h. looked up,
{here was Il sha1 de If determination upon
the finely chiseled features that contrast
ei strangely with the fear marks that
had before rested there. He folded his
hands upon his bosom. and for q single
instant his eyes were turned heayenward
With u satisfied look, she Chickasaw
leader slnpttrd the money back into the
purse. and having placed it in his bosom.
he turned to his followers and gave the
signal for starting. They quickly gath
cred mp theif arms ANA IN rev mo
mentS more they were lost to sight in
the thick wood.
Now, satd StaaS serpent turning
)o h'S prisoner, we VIII he Oh our way
rs our home in the domain of The Nat
s.hex. Can y8n walk -
-YeS bat / atm weak ROW, aud shall
hardly lse able 10 keep pace with You II
xou harry.
The vh ire youth speaks calmly fo,