Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-04-28
/ White eI|II2rl(i|
"a Tale Of the Early Settlers
: OF Louisiana. E;
: BY AUSTgfs c. EgaDscK
CHAPTER XVIII.
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ell his career as commander at the
Natchez fort by cruelty to his own men,
but one or two grave complaints maze
to Gov. Perier had come nigh causing his
removal, and he let the whites be in
peace, but expended his wrath upon the
poor Indians. He was now much elated,
for he was sure that the beautiful village
of the White Apple would soon be his,
and he meant to pocket much money in
"a. the transaction. One day he sat in his
rude house, with some of his attendants
about him, when a soldier demanded ad-
mittance.
''How now, sirrah?" he demanded, as
the man entered.
81 have come with a warning" the sol
dier replied.
'Ha "a warning Speak out"
"An old woman passed my post this
morning, monsieur, and she bade me tell
the French to be on their guard, for dam
ger threatened them
And from whom?'
butcher us ALL
. Have you spoken of this before?'
Il have not"
'Then you shall not tell it to othersr'
cried Chopart, in anger. "Have you not
seen enough of this idle fear? What no!
without thereI'
At this call, two soldiers entered, who
usually stood in the passage to obey the
commanders call.
Take this fellow and lock him up in
the prison." he ordered. WED soon
have the red rats down upon us if they
. knew we lived in fear! They dare not
offer US harm. Away with himr'
And for conveying this intelligence the
poor man was cast into a strong dungeon,
and there kept for several days with his
feet in the stocks -
But this was not the only note Of warm
ing Chopart had. Four days afterwards.
soldier came to him and informed him
that the Indians surely meditated the de-
struction of the fort, and of all it's white
inhabitants.
Out, fool!' exclaimed Chopart, an
grily. "The old hag who told 500 tiiis
only thinks to frighten us. She thin's
that by exciting our fears she can fright
en- US into giving up our plan of taking
their village of the White Apple. What!
would ye show to the Indians that we
feared them! Away with such idle fool
eryw
Pricked Arm was astounded at the in
fatuation of the French commander. and
CnOD2rT
Heutenant,>a man named Mace, who, she
imagined, would have some influence
with his superior. But even this proved
abortive. She told Mace that destruction
would surely fall upon them if they did
not take some means to keep the Indians
away from the fort. But on the yery
next day Chopart invited all the Indians
to banquet, and pledged his friendship
to them anew.
with a feeling Of utter CONSERVATION.
Pr1cked Arm returned to her lodge. One
evening she sought White Hands dwell
ing, for she had a faint idea working
: through her mind that the French youth
might have some influence in all this, She
knew that he had been originally doomed
to death to go and intercede face to face
with the white mans God, but she had
never yet fully known why he was SPAR
ed. She found White Hand alone. He
gazed eagerly into her face, for he was
anxious to know how her work progress
ed.
White Hand" she said, speaking alb
ruptly, why were you spared from death
when you first came here 2"
THAT might marry Coqualla," replied
the youth.
But was there nothing else?" asked
the old woman, looking him sharply in
the face.
why, yes" returned White Hand,
speaking with some fidence, for the real
reason seemed so foolish and ridiculous
to him that he almost feared he should
be laughed at for speaking of it.
And what was that?"
why, promised to pray to the white
mans God that none of the wickedness
OF the French might succeed, and also
to tell him how basely the red men had
been wronged by the invaders: for was
of that people, and they supposed that l
should nave some influence with my Su-
preme Father"
That's it,! the aged princess groaned
with her hands folded across her bosom
"How?' asked the youth, in surprise
II knew that the Great Spirit had
hand in this work. The fort at Natchez
is doomed past all hoper'
"No-not doomedr
''It is. The last stick will be removed
tomorrow, and then the blow must faIlr'
"To-morrow?"
"No-the blow falls on the day after.
The fatal sticks mark the Intervening
days"
"And must all fall ?-all-all?"
"All at Natchez, but not elsewhere. for
the others wait yet another week., and
ere that time the whites will be warned.
But what noise is that? Hark! There
are shouts of welcome
They both started for the door, where
they were met by Stung Serpent, who
caught the youth by the arm and forced
him into the house again.
white Hand he said, speaking quick
ly and sternly, remember your oath, for
your salvation may now depend upon it.
The white men have come to carouse in
the White Apple. Beware that you do
not forget yourself! Shall we trust you?
Mind-au is well with you if you are
faithful!''
''Fear not, my father" spoke the youth,
unable to repress the trembling that seiz-
ed his limbs.
"Then you may conduct Coqualla to the
revelry."
1t was calm, warm night, and in the
center of the great square were built two
fires of pitch-wood to serve as torches,
and here the white men and the red We're
gathered In social confab and amusement.