The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-06-20

grave, and nine persons, with ropes about
their necks, remained fasting by it.
ssAnd are all these people to dieT' ask
ed White Hand, after he and Coqualia
had retired to their own dwelling.
Eyes. And but for the intercessions of
my father himself, many more would
have died"
st is a cruel practice" said the youth,
sadly. lg- "
Cruel? repeated the princess, in sur
prise. "Why do you say SOP?
Because one death is enough. why
should so many be addedT
''Ah," answered Coqualla, Ingenious
ly, 'tyou do not understand. Your peo-
pie have not such love for the departed
as we have. 1t Is long, dark road which
my father has now to travel, and surely
it is fitting he should have company"
"And does this always happen when
one of your people dies" .af.-@
Certainly; though 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"
$50 manyW ....
"Yes--and Of course they were happy,
to the happy home where the Great
Spirit is" -~E@
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-
erY 800
'Ah," returned Coqualla, with q faint
smile, which seemed to indicate a pity
for her companions ignorance, my faith
er's spirit will not start alone. 1t re-
mains near the old body until the other
spirits join it, and then they all go off
together. Do you not understandY'
Eyes"
"And is it not right and proper?
att Is, if you think so; but / should
| hardly dare give my voice in favor Of it.
Why, look, Coqualla. and tell me if this
| very thing has not already reduced your
| nation from a once powerful people to
mere handful"
''My father spoke Of that ere he died."
| answered the princess, thoughtfully. 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. l have
| heard that the Natche5 were once a
mighty race-a great nation, numbering
| their warriors by the many thousands,
and now they have only a 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"
Il know" said Coqual!a, thOughtfully
81 know. Bat 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 human soul de-
parts, we, or l, believe that the loved
ones who have gone before come down
to lead the newborn spirit away to heav-
en-. have a mother there, Coqualla and
| L
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 any others Of earth"
| Gradually the Indian girls hands were
brought together over her bosom, and
her head was bowed. When she looked
up there was a strange light in her eyes
and a soft, hopeful expression dWelt upon
her dusky features.
white Hand" she whispered, "tell
me that again"
sis 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 companion ear the whole
of his own pure faith in God and the ris-
en- Saviour; and when he had done the
| princess murmured:
at is sweet, and it is better than the
faith l have been taught"
She bowed her head again, and this
time she remained long while thought
full; and when she next looked up, 8
change had come over her countenance.
"White Hand" she said, Il promised
my father that would help you escape
from here, if you wished. What have
to remain here for? My father is dead
have no brother or sister, and the ways
Of my people are not pleasant to me. May
l not go with your
The youth threw his arms about tht
fair speakers neck and drew her upo1
his bosom.
"Coqualla, speak but the word, and II
die in thy service, IL necessary, to leat
you to my fathers home. o, we will no.
be separated
The burial was over. Stung Serpen
reposed in his grave, and by his side la!
the bodies of those who had, in obedi
ence to the cruel faith and custom, givel
up their lives that they might keep thei
! loved chief company in his dark journey
And oRce more the Natchez commenced
their mad orgies over their victory, 70
they were not yet satiated.
Late at night, while the warriors wer
J dancing and bowling in the square, Prick
J ed Arm came to White Hands lodge an,
called him out. The youth could not Sc
her face in the gloom, hut from the man