Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-04-30


days the body was made ready for the
grave, and nine persons. with ropes about
their necks. remained fasting BY 1t,
And are all these people to dieT' ask.
ed White Hand. after he-and ooqualla
had retired 10 their own dwelling.
"Yes. And but for the intcrccssions Of
my father himself, many moro would
have died"
IT Is cruel praetlce," said the youth,
sadly.
"Cruelf' repeated the princess. In SUR
prise. why do you say sof"
Because one death Ii enough. Why
should 80 many be nddedf"
"Ah," answered Coqualla, Ingenious.
iy. You do not understand. Your peo-
| pie have not such love for the departed
Ms we have. II IL long. dark road which
my father has new 10 travel, and surely
IL IL tttlng be should have COMPANY"
And does this always happen when
one or youF people dles9''
Certainly; though some have not 80
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 manyT
"Yes~and OF course they were happy,
for with him they were at once admitted
TO the happy home where the Great
Spirit is."
But" querled White Hand. "Stung
/ Serpent has been dead now four days.
1 aud these people will not die until 10.
night. How, then, shall they 20 togeth.
err"
"Ah." returned Coqnailn, with a faint
smile, which seemed to indicate a pity
for her companions ignorance, my faith
er's spirit win not start alone. II re.
mains near the old body until the other
spirits join lt, and then they all go of
together. DO you not understandT'
"Yes"
"And Is Il not right and propcr?"
1T H. II you think so; but | should
hardly dare give my voice In favor OF II.
Why, look, CoQualla. and tell me IL this
very thing has not already reduced your
nation from a once powerful people to
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-
pio."
"And he was right, Coqualla. have
heard that the Natchez were onle
mighty race-a great nation, numbering
their warriors by the many thousands.
aud now they have only very few hun.
dred. IN large community. under or.
dlnary circumstances, the births will not
much oyerrun the deaths by nature. But
see here--not, only do your people die of
us do Others, but for every one who dies
naturally from one 10 a hundred more
must be killed to keep them company"
II know" said Coqualla. thoughtfully
--"I know, But stiil Il 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."
''sThey doT'
"Yes."
And yet they send them no company"
"Ah, their company comes from tie
other way" spoke White Hand, softly
and sweetly. "When 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, AMI
think she win 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, aud
her head was bowed. When she looked
up there was strange light in her eyes
and a soft, hopeful expression dwelt upon
her dusky features.
white Hand" she whispered. tell
me that again."
''Is not the theme more pleasing than
the strangling of helpless victims over
the graves OF the deadg" the youth ask
ed, kindly.
"Yesyes. But tell me more"
And White Hand went on and whis-
pered into his companions ear the whole
of mis- own pure faith In God and the ris-
en- Saviour; and when he had done the
princess murmured:
"It Is sweet, and n Is better than the
faith l have been taught"
She bowed her head again, and this
time she remained long while thought
full; and when she next looked up,
change had come over her countenance.
white Hand" she said, ~ promised
my father that would help you escape
from here, IL you wished. What have
to remain here for? My father is dead;
have no brother or sister, and the ways
of my people are not pleasant to me. May
not so with your"
The youth threw his arms about the
fair speakers neck and drew her upon
his bosom.
.CoQualla, speak but the word. and I'll
die in thy service, IL necessary, to lead
you to my fathers home. 0, we viii not
be separated
The burial was over. Stung Serpent
reposed in his grave, and by his side lay
the bodies of those who had, in obedi-
ence to the cruel faith and custom, given
up their lives that they might keep their
loved chief company In his dark journey.
And once more the Natchez commenced
their mad orgies over their victory, for
they were not yet satiated
Late at night, while the warriors were
dancing and bowling in the square, Prick
ed Arm came to White Hands lodge and
called him out. The youth could not see
her face in the gloom, but from the man.
ner of her breathing, he could tell that
she was deeply moved by something.
white Hand" she said, "our plot has
worked exceeding well. Not aNblow has
been struck save here at Natchez; so the
great mass Of the French are saved. But
thou art In danger here. The moment
the Natchez find that their plan has fail.
ed they viii suspect thee. for 1t has
been whispered that you visited the tenn
nle. and the Grant Sun when he lnnknd