The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-03-06
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"A Tale Of the EARLY Settlers !
! Of Louisiana. (;
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BY AUSTIN c. BURDIcK
CHAPTER TX

cypress trees grew thick and tall. party
Of Indians sat down to rest. Only ten
red men are here upon the edge Of the
cypress swamp, and eight Of them repose
themselves to sleep, while the other two
keep watch. 1t is near noon, for the sun
has almost reached its highest point, and
these men have been upon the trail since
early last evening.
But these Chickasaws are not alone.
Close by the side of a huge cypress log,
one end Of which is bedded In the swamp,
lies the form of child of the pale faces.
The hands and the feet are bound, and
a cord from the lashings Of the hands
leads along the ground, and Is clutched
by one Of the sleeping Indians. In those
fair features, now shaded by the large
log, there is something Of the look of
Louis st. Julien; but even now the flesh
seems sunken, and the beholder would
think that many days, instead of only a
few hours, of suffering had rested with
in that frame.
Thus the party rested until nearly four
o'clock, and then one Of the Indians, who
had been placed little way up the riv-
er to watch, gave low, shrill whistle,
and on the instant the whole party were
upon their feet, and had seized their
arms. On the next instant, crashing OF
the bushes was heard at no great dis
tance, and not long afterwards, a party
Of six Indians made their appearance.
He who led the newcomers was very tall
and athletic. 1t was the Natchez war
rior, Stung Serpent.
The stout chieftaln 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 awoke him. The sleeper started up,
and with look Of terror, gazed around
"Where is-is-where is my sister" he
asked, in low, thrilling tone.
''She has gone on further south while
you slept" answered Stung Serpent But
the daughter of the white man is safe.
No harm can come to her, for her life
Is precious. But you cannot go to her
now. You must go with the Stung Ser
pent to the village Of the White Apple.
What can Louis st. Julien fear from his
brotherT
The youth gazed into the face of the
powerful Natchez, and for awhile he
was utterly unable to speak. At that
moment a hundred various thoughts and
emotions flew wildly through his mind.
He saw his father and st. 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, and he
wondered why he was thus separated
from his mate.
"Can l not go with my sister?" he at
length asked.
mo" was the answer.
''And why may we not be togetherT'
= Because 1t is impossible. Remember,
the Sting Serpent has spoken"
This was pronounced in a 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 Chickasaws were gone, he knew
that his companion had gone with them.
In the meantime, Stung Serpent was
performing a work that startled the pris-
Oner not little. After he had given his
last answer to Louis, he~arproached the
Chlckasaw chief, and gave to him a
heavy purse. The latter too 1t and emp
tied its contents into his broad palm,
and Louis saw that it was gold. The
Chickasaw's eyes sparked as they rested
upon the coin. Louis clasped his hands
for they were free n0w-and his frame
shook as his former doubts grew to con-
hrmations. Who could have placed that
gold in the hands of the Natchez war
rior7 To be sure, there was a French
fort near the Natchez villages; but then
Louis kRew that they had no gold to
spare there. Thankful must the Indian
be who could get even a few pieces of
silver from the people of Fort Rosalie,
Then who could have paid this gold but
Simon L0bois2 The thought came, and
II was fxed. The prisoners head was
bowed, and when again he looked up.
there was z shade OF determination upon
the finely chlseled features that contrast
ed strangely with the fear marks that
had before rested there He folded his
hands upon his bosom, and for a single
instant his eyes were turned heavenward.
With a satisfied look, the Chickasaw
leader emptied the money back into the
purse, and having placed 1t in his bosom,
be turned 10 his followers and gave the
signal for starting. They quickly gath.
cred I'D their arms, and in few mo-
ments more they were lost to sight in
the thick wood.
"Now," said Stung Serpent, turning
to his prisoner, 1--WE win be on our way
10 our home in the domain of the Nat
chez. Can you walkT"
Eyes; but | am weak now, and shall
hardly be able to keep pace with you If
y0u hurry"
"Ths white youth speaks calmly for
one In Distress" pursued the chief, look
ing his prisoner sharply in the eye
perhaps he thinks be shall escape"
''If l speak calmly" returned the
youth, sit is because I hope you mean
me no HARM.
"Ughg That was all the answer Stupg
Serpent returned upon that subject. Ia
a moment mora he took the prisoners
band and gazed upon 1t.
Il did not tell the Chickasaw that 1t
was you who slew his people" the Nat
chez said.
Louis trembied.
"For if had. should not have found
you alive, having once passed through
his hands. You have a small white hand
for a warrior such as you have proved
yourself to be-" And Stung Serpent laid
his own huge hand by the side of his
prisoners, thus making the youths deli
cate limb appear smaller by the contrast
than 1t really was. And then, with a
smile. be continued: While yOn live,
wen throw away your French name. apd
heneefOrth thou shalt be called White
Hand. Eh--h0w does that soundw
But the prisoner did not reply imme-
diateiy. for this last remark was not the
one that chained bis attsRtien. While
you i've" were the words that sounded
In his ears, and started his fears. They
were spoken In tone and with peeu-
liar emphasis which seemed to mean
something. and II they had a meaning