Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-10

Hand. Eh-how does that soundY
But the prisoner did not reply imme-
diately, for this last remark was not the
one that chained his attention. While
you live," were the words that sounded
in his ears, and started his fears. They
were spoken in a tone and with pecu-
p, liar emphasis which seemed to mean
! something, and if they had a meaning
beyond the mere chance of natural cause
and effect, then surely all was not meant
we'll for him. But he did not speak his
fears
"Eh? Does not the son of the white
chief like his name?"
"Yes-yes."
The other Indians had stood near at
hand, and as they heard the name thus
bestowed, they smiled, and repeated it
several times. In little while longer
the party prepared for the tramp and
set out. For a distance of some miles
they followed the stream to the north
ward and eastward, and finally they left
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 halt
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 it he could feel the dry
Goals. A fire was soon built, and then
one of the party produced some dr.ed
venison, and some sort of esculent root
that resembled the common aFtichoke.
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 light.
He was informed that the party We're
now to start on, and he was soon ready.
The moon was nearly at its zenith, and
he judged that it 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 a fire and had
some venison steak only White Hand
would have liked it much better could he
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
may 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 unfin chingly 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.
Zone more day will bring US to the viii
laSe Wnere we are TO stop. OOeS II pledSS
the White Hand. eh?"
''It 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
~, es+r-
into a broader trail that gave evidence
of much travel. The sun was some two
hours high when they reached the top
of gentle eminence, and upon looking
down into the valley beyond, White II nj
saw quite village of Natchez huts.
There were some fifty or sixty dwellings.
built in sort of circle, while within this
circle stood four buildings of larger di-
mens;ons.
''Does the White Hand see yonder vii
lage" 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-
pie, the home of the bravest warriors of
the Natchez, and the abode of peace
There lives my brother-the Great Sun.
ana the cn1el OIL all our people. 1QaC 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 it?'
Yes replied the youth. looking ia
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 see?-away off there?
like rag playing in the wind?"
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 Rosalie. They tell me it's called so
from woman's name. Is it so?'
ct is.''
The Indian watched his prisoner with
keen glance while speaking of the fort,
and a-simple "ugh!' was his only reply
to the youths last answer.
In short time they started down the