The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-03-06
chief Ike his name?"
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the party prepared for the tramp ana
set out. For a distance Of some miles
they followed the stream to the north
ward and eastward, and finally they LETT
the river and struck into narrow, du-
bious trail 1t was dark when Stung
Serpent gave the order to stop. they
had reached a small lake, or deep bayou,
upon one hand Of which arose a steep
bluff, directly beneath which they matt
ed White Hand saw that some one had
stopped here before, for the traces OF
a fire were plainly visible against the
face Of the rock, and as he walked over
the spot beneath 1t he could feel the dry
Goals. A fire was soon built, and then
one of the party produced some dried
venison, and some sort Of esculent root
that resembled the common artichoke.
The prisoner was hungry, and he ate
heartily, and then he was allowed to lie
down and sleep, Stung Serpent having
taken the precaution to secure his hands
so that he could not move them with
out disturbing him.
When White Hand was aroused he
started quickly up, and at first he thought
the day had dawned, but as soon as his
senses were fairly at work he found It
was the moon that gave so much hgnt.
He was informed that the party were
now to start on, and he was soon ready.
The moon was nearly at its zenith, and
he judged that 1t could not be much
past midnight. For two or three hours
the trail was dubious and difficult. 1t
lay through a deep growth Of oak, and
the ground was uneven, and In some
places wet and boggy from the late
rains. In the morning they stopped for
breakfast. During the forenoon deer
was shot, from which they took the skin
and as much OF the meat as they want
ed; so at noon they built fire and had
some venison steak; only White Hand
would have liked it much better could ne
have had little salt with his meat.
Another night came, and again the
youth slept with his hands confined; and
this time he was allowed to sleep until
morning. Another meal from the fresh
deer meat was made and then the trail
was resumed. During the next day the
prisoner came several times near failing
for want Of strength, for however strong
NAV have been his close-knit frame, he
was not used to this kind of labor. How
ever, the Indians helped him some, and he
managed to move along without much
show Of pain or complaint He knew
that If he would expect kind treatment at
the hands of his captors he must be saw
ing of complaint and trouble, and he re-
solved that he would stand up under the
trial as unflinchingly as possible. When
they had stopped for the night again he
asked his captor how much further they
had to travel.
"Not much" Stung Serpent replied.
"One more day will bring us to the vii
lage where we are to stop. Does 1t please
the White Hand. eh?"
sit will surely please me to rest, for |
am weary and faint, and had We much
further to travel fear should be bur-
den to you"
The Indian shrugged his shoulders, but
made no further reply, and shortly af-
terwards White Hand lay down to sleep.
In the morning they were once more
in motion, and before noon they struck
into a broader trail that gave evidence
of much travel. The sun was some two
hours high when they reached the top
of a gentle eminence, and upon looking
down into the valley beyond, White Hand
saw quite a village Of Natchez huts.
There were Some fifty or sixty dwellings.
built in a sort of circle, while within this
circle stood four buildings Of larger di-
mensons.
"Does the White Hand see yonder viii
lageY asked Stung Serpent, as the par
ty stopped upon the hilltop.
The prisoner answered in the affirma-
tive.
"That is the village of the White Ap-
ple, the home Of the bravest warriors of
the Natchez, and the abode Of peace
There lives my brother-the Great Sun.
and the chief of all our people That is
his dwelling next to the temple. But
does the White Hand see where those
trees seem to break away, as though the
fire had run through the deep forest on
a wide trail? Look-away towards the
setting sun. Do you mark itf
"Yes," replied the youth, looking in
the direction pointed out.
"There travels the great Father Of
Waters In his way to the great salt lake.
And do you mark that point? All! you
can see piece Of cloth futtering in the
breeze. Do you not see2-away off there ?
like rag playing In the wiad2"
White Hand looked, and he saw what
his guide had pointed out. 1t was just
visible over the intervening tree tops.
81 see it." he said.
"That is the village of the white man.
He has built fort there, and he calls
it Rosaie. They tell me 'tis called so
from a woman's name. Is it so?'
ut is."
The Indian watched his prisoner with
a keen glance while speaking of the fort,
and a simple ''ugbp was his only reply
to the youths last answer.
In a short time they started down the
hill, and jnst as the sun was sinking from
sight they reached the village. The men
and children came hocking out, and while
Stung Serpent was received with lively
demonstrations Of joy, looks Of the most
eager curiosity were fixed upon White
Hand. But his captor did not stop to
exhibit him. He pursued his way at once
to long, narrow building near the tenn
Die, the walls of which were formed of
close-ftting tlmbers driven into the
ground, while the door, which swung to
and fro on wooden hinges, was uncom-
monty stout aud strong, being formed
of a succession of hewn logs secured to-
getheF by cross-bars, to which each up
right piece was pinned. This door was
opened, and the youth was led In, and
with the simple remark that he would
remain there for the night he was left
to himself
As soon as the heavy door was closed
upon him the prisoner gazed about. A
little light came to the place through the
small holes in the wall near the roof, and
by this means be could see somewhat Of
the nature Of bis prison, for that this
was a prison, and built for such, he had
no doubt. The only floor was the earth,
snd that must also serve for chair, bed
and table, for nothing save the bare
walls aud the paked earth met his gaze.
He soon satisfied himself that he should
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