Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-03-12

But the youth took but little notice OF tbs
altar. Ills attention was arrested by the
appearance Of two stout men who stood
near the altar with knives In their hands,
and with q large bowl between them
which was blood.ntalned both outside and
IN.
Nov, White Hand" spoke Stung Ser
pent, approaching him and placing his
broad hand upon bis shoulder. you VIII
not forget the message that the Great
Sun has given you TO deliver 20 your
God. and you must give II word for wordi
and II the Great Spirit Of the white man
knows all things, he VIII know that the
Matches have only sent 70 him the words
OK truth. You win have an easy path
from the earth, for our warriors know
how TO set tho spirit free without pain"
With q quick start White Hand bound
ed back from stung serpent's touch. The
whole truth now came upon him. he
knew that the temple In a neighborins
village had been recently struck By light.
ming and burned 10 aahea, sad he had
heard that the governor Of tho fort At
Rosalle had professed 70 ask bis God TO
send the calamity upon them. Now the
Indians. In their ignorance OF faith, be-
lleved they could send message TO the
offended God Of the white man, and that
when be knew the truth. bis anger would
be appeased.
"HAdr he uttered, raising his hand
towards the prince. "What have ! done
that you should take my llfei From a
small boy have grown up here. and
never, by thought or deed. did harm 20
one Of your people. Why, then, do you
take an innocent person 10 slayf
The pale boy has fallen into our pow.
er, aud we would send him on Il holy
mission. Not In anger or revenge do we
seek 10 do this. but only for good. Thou
art cast.away from those you loved,
and surely you would rather be with
those OF your people who have gone to
the land OF spirits before you than 70
have no home"
"And you think will carry the mes
sage you would sendT' cried the youth.
"Nor he added, deeply and solemnly. II
win tell the Great Spirit how was a
poor prisoner In your hands. will tell
him thus; In my own home had a BIT
ter enemy. That enemy desired my
ruin that he might possess all my fathers
gold; 10 he betrayed me into the hands
Of the red men. They took me with them
10 their village. and ! murmured not.
Then they seized me. as they would a
brute, and murdered me In cold blood!
Thus will speak unto the God OF heav-
en-, aud ask for vengeance upon my muir
derers. BE sure. now. ye warriors Of the
NatcheH, that ! win do as have said.
have harmed ye not"
The red warriors were perplexed, and
for some moments they whispered togeth-
or In their own tongue. Then Stung Ser
pent approached his prisoner and took
him by the hand. and having gazed awhile
Into his face. he said:
"Do you believe Stung Serpent would
speak falsehood3'
II do not" was White Hands imme-
dlate answer.
"'rhen listen to me. II spare your
life. | must speak falsehood. for ! prom
lsed that You should not i've
'To whom did you make such prom
ise2" the youth asked.
"Never mind. Such promise made.
But have no desire TO keep It, now that
you win not carry the message we ask
you to. save for mine honor"
"Honorl And can the noblest warrior
of all the Little Suns OF the Natchez find
honor In taking the life of one who never
harmed hlmr
'Not In that--not In that. Yet | gave
my word"
Thus speaking. the old warrior walked
slowly to the other end Of the temple.
and then came back again, and when he
stopped, ray of light had shot athwart
his dusky features,
white Hand" he said, speaking more
deeply than before, ''can l know that
thou wilt not speak faisehood to me
that II have a promise from thee may
rest assured II win be most sacredly
keptP"
"Ay--upon my lifew replied the prison
or, bowling low.
''Then II l spare thee now, wilt thou
swear not to reveal thyself to any white
person who shall come hither to our vii
iage, and that thou wilt not leave our
village, save with my consent2 Shall |
have this promise from theeG"
The youth hesitated not an instant;
but the promise was given quickly aud
distinctly.
"Then come with me now, and In time
thou shalt see me again, But remem-
Der, thy promise Is given on thy life, and
Stung Serpent trusts thee, Not another
man of all thy people could have moved
the Natchex prince as thou hast"
Thus speaking, Stung Serpent stalked
from the temple, and the old man took
White Hand again by the arm and led
him forth. Once more he was conduct
ed to the prison, and without a word,
the old Indian pushed him In, and then
locked the door upon him.