Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-05-05

their neckS, remained IaSLluS Dy II.
y"And are all these people to die? ask
ed White Hand, after he and Coqualla
had retired to their own dwelling.
"Yes. And but for the intercessions of
my father himself, many more would
have died"
''It is cruel practice" said the youth,
sadly.
"Cruel?' repeated the princess, in sur
prise. 'Why do you say so?'
Because one death is enough. Why
should so many be added"
''Ah," answered Coqualla, ingenious
ly, "you do not understand. Your peo-
pie have not such love for the departed
as we have. 1t is a long, dark road which
my father has now to travel, and surely
it is fitting he should have company"
"And does this always happen when
! one of your people dies?''
! Certainly; though some have not so
many companions; but all have one.
| When the last Great Sun died, there
were one hundred who went to keep him
company over the dark road"
$50 many"
"Yes-and Of course they were happy.
for with him they were at once admitted
to the happy home where the Great
Spirit isl
But" queried White Hand, "Stung
! Serpent has been dead now four days.
and these people will not die until to-
i night. How, then, shall they go togeth-
err"
] "Ah," returned Coqualla, with faint
smile, which seemed to indicate a pity
for her companions ignorance, "my faith
er's spirit will not start alone. 1t re-
mains near the old body until the other
spirits join it, and then they all go off
together. Do you not understand"
Yes
"And is it not right and proper?'
SIT is, if you think so; but l should
hardly dare give my voice in favor of it..
Why, look, Coqualla, and tell me if this
very thing has not already reduced your
nation from a once powerful people to a
mere handful"
"My father spoke of that ere he died"
answered the princess, thoughtfully. He
said he wished only his few immediate
companions to go with him beyond the
grave, and even they must be old peo-
pie"
"And he was right, Coqualla. / have
heard that the Natchez were one a
mighty race-a great nation, numbering
their warriors by the many thousands,
and now they have only very few hun
dred. In large community, under or
| binary circumstances, the births will not
much overrun the deaths by nature. But
see here-not only do your people die off
as do others, but for every one who dies
naturally from one to a hundred more
must be killed to keep them company"
81 know" said Coqual!a, thoughtfully
81 know. But still it were cruel to
send my fathers spirit away over the
dark, long trail alone. Your people do
not think of this. They do not think of
the loved spirit wandering away in the
dark alone.
'.Yes they do, Coqualla."
"They do?'
eyes"
"And yet they send them no company"
"Ah, their company comes from the
other way" spoke White Hand, softly
and sweetly. "When a human soul de-
parts, we, or l, believe that the loved
ones who have gone before come down
to lead the newborn spirit away to heav-
en-. have a mother there, Coqualla, and
l think she will come down to earth
when my spirit departs, and welcome
me to the home Of the blest ones. Sure
ly they know the way through the dark
valley better than we could, or better
than any others of earth.''
Gradually the Indian girls hands were
brought together over her bosom, and
her head was bowed. When she looked
up there was a strange light in her eyes
and a SOFT hopeful expression dwelt upon
her dusky features.
''White Hand" she whispered, ''tel
me that again."
"Is not the theme more pleasing than
the strangling Of helpless victims ovei
the graves of the deadY' the youth ask
ed, kindly.
'Yes-yes. But tell me more"
And White Hand went on and whis
pered into his companions ear the whole
of his own pure faith in God and the ris
en- Saviour; and when he had done the
princess murmured:
"'It is sweet, and it is better than the
faith l have been taught"
She bowed her head again, and thi:
time she remained a long while thought
full: and when she next looked up, 6
change had come over her countenance.
''White Hand" she said, 81 promised
my father that would help you escape
from here, if you wished. What have
to remain here for? My father is dead
l have no brother or sister, and the way:
of my people are not pleasant to me. Ma.
l not go with you"
The youth threw his arms about th'
fair speakers neck and drew her upol
his bosom.
"Coqualla, speak but the word, and II
: die in thy service, if necessary, to leat
you to my fathers home. o, we will no
be separated
The burial was over. Stung Serpen
reposed in his grave, and by his side la.
the bodies of those who had, in obedi
ence to the cruel faith and custom, give1
up their lives that they might keep thei
loved chief company in his dark journey
And once more the Natchez commence;
t their mad orgies over their victory, TO
they were not yet satiated.
Late at night, while the warriors wer
dancing and bowling in the square, Prick
J ed Arm came to White Hands lodge an
called him out. The youth could not se
her face in the gloom, but from the man
! ner of her breathing, he could tell tina
: she was deeply moved by something.
White Hand" she said, "our plot ha
: worked exceeding well. Not blow ha
l>oo,,- oauo haro OF th