The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-04-16
CHAPTER XVII.

While the things just narrated were
transpiring at the chateau, and at the dis
tant metropolis, how Jared White Hand
and his dusky princess?
Gradually White Hand became used to
the primitive fashions Of the Matches.
and though he had many hours Of sorrow
and grief, yet he showed only content
to the warriors. But to his wife he was
not SO reserved of his true feelings. She
sympathized with him In his sadness. and
she even went so far as to assure him
that If the honorable opportunity ever
offered itself for his escape TO his own
people, she should not oppose his wishes.
Early one morning. the Great Sun re-
ceived an Invitation to visit the settle
ment Of the white men. and taking with
him an escort Of his trusty warriors, he
set out. 1t was past noon when he re-
turned, and bis brow was clouded, and
bis stout frame shaken by q powerful
emotion. His first movement was to send
for White Hand. The youth went, and
found the Great Sun alone with Stung
Serpent.
white Hand" he said. overcoming all
outward signs of his deep emotions, you
must fast and pray. The hour Is dark,
and evil comes upon as. The white mans
heart is hard, and his soul Is base. You
remember your pledge. VIII you prayT
IL wifl," answered White Hand. And
he was then dismissed.
As soon as the youth was gone. the
Great Sun started up from his seat and
leaped down. His brow grew dark again.
and his hands were clenched.
''gtung Serpent" hefsaid. go and sum
mon your council at once. Summon only
the wise men and the tried warriors, for
we want no women nor children now. Bid
them attend me here"
Stung Serpent asked no questions, but
with quick movements, he called up the
men who were fit for deep counsel, and
soon they were all collected In the place
of council. They knew that something
important had happened, for never were
they thus called together save on occa-
aions Of emergency.
Warriors of the Natchez, listeng' COM
menced the Great Sun, speaking calmly
and slowly, but with fearful emphasis.
"You know how the white men have
abused us-how they have trampled upon
us, and how they have proved recreant
to every trust we have reposed in them.
But you do not yet know the most wick
ed thing OF all. The white chief has de-
manded the beautiful village Of the
White Applet Ay-he says the great
chief In the big village away towards the
salt water has demanded It. told him
he could not mean 1t. but he only laugh
ed at me. / told him we had lived here
In peace ever since we settled upon the
banks of the mighty river-that our tenn
pie was here, and that here, In the quiet
vale, we had laid away the bodies of our
departed friends. And even at this be
scoffed, and swore he would possess our
village"
As the Great Sun sat down, low mur-
muir ran around the room, and angry ges-
lures marked the movements Of the dark
warriors. Stung Serpent started to his
feet and In q moment all was silent. The
towering ehieftaln gazed around with
flashing eye. and when he spoke his voice
was like low thunder.
''Let the souls OF the Natehez be firm
now, and let the hearts Of her warriors
be strongF' were his frst words. "The
white man came to Us, and we gave him
3 home. He asked US for land, and out
of our abundance we gave him much. He
asked US for friendship. and we gave him
our whole hearts. But how has he repaid
US for all our kindnessf Where now ls
eur peace7 The white man calls the
Indian : secret foe. Why Is 1t sof be
cause the pale faces are not to be trust
ed; because they speak fair when they
cheat Us. Look around: look to your
homes. to your sacred temple. and to tho
graves Of your ancestors. VIII you give
all upf | can read your answers In your
looks - well as In yeur words. Once
more, and am done. Let the white men
be extermInatedl Let them be swept from
our land at once and foreverF'
On the next day messengers came
from Chopart, the commander of the
French fort. to learn what the Matches
had agreed upon. They were informed
that they had not yet been able to agree
upon q place to which to move. and the
Great Sun asked two months IN which to
prepare. promising. meantime, to pay 3
new trieate Of corn to the French. This
message was conveyed to Chopart, and
he agreed to the terms. fondly believing
that In another spring his people should
share the rich land spoils Of this fairest
Matches village.