Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-03-17

But the youth took but little notice OF the
altar. His attention was arrested by the
appearance Of two stout men who stood
near the altar with knives in their hands,
and with a large bowl between them
which was blood-stained both outside and
in.
'Now, White Hand" spoke Stung Ser
pent, approaching him and placing his
broad hand upon his shoulder, ''you will
not forget the message that the Great
Sun has given you to deliver to your
God, and you must give it word for word;
and If the Great Spirit of the white man
knows all things, he will know that the
Natchez have only sent to him the words
of truth. You will have an easy path
from the earth, for our warriors know
how to set the spirit free without pain"
With a 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 neighboring
village had been recently struck by light
ming and burned to ashes, and he had
heard that the governor Of the fort at
Rosalie had professed to ask his God to
send the calamity upon them. Now the
Indians, in their ignorance Of faith, be-
lieved they could send message to the
offended God Of the white man, and that
when he knew the truth, his anger would
be appeased.
'Holdy' he uttered, raising his hand
towards the prince. what have l done
that you should take my life? From
small boy | have grown up here, and
never, by thought or deed, did | harm to
one of your people. Why, then, do you
take an innocent person to slay?''
The pale boy has fallen into our pow
er, and we would send him on a holy
mission. Not in anger OR revenge do we
seek to do this, but only for good. Thou
art a 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 to
have no home"
"And you think | will carry the mes
sage you would send?'' cried the youth.
''Nov he added, deeply and solemnly. Il
will tell the Great Spirit how I was
poor prisoner in your hands. l will tell
him thus: In my own home l had bit
ter enemy. That enemy desired my
ruin that he might possess all my fathers
gold; so he betrayed me into the hands
of the red men. They took me with them
to their village, and I murmured not.
Then they seized me, as they would
brute, and murdered me in cold blood!
Thus will I speak unto the God of heav-
en-, and ask for vengeance upon my muir
derers. Be sure, now, ye warriors of the
Natchez, that / will do as I have said.
| have harmed ye not"
The red warriors were perpleXed, and
for some moments they whispered togeth-
er 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 a falsehood?"
II do not" was White Hands imme
diate answer.
''Then listen to me. If / spare your
life, / must speak falsehood, for prom
ised that you should not live"
ITO whom did you make such a prom
ise?' the youth asked.
"Never mind Such promise made.
But have no desire to keep it, now that
you will not carry the message we ask
you to. save for mine honor"
Honor! And can the noblest warrior
of all the Little Suns of the Natchez find
honor in taking the life of one who never
harmed him?''
'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 I know that
Wilt NJ fo1s 10
that if / have a promise from thee I may
rest assured it will be most sacredly
keptT
"Ay-upon my life!' replied the prison
er, bowling low.
''Then if I spare thee now, wilt thou
swear not to reveal thyself to any white
person who shall come hither to our vii
lage, and that thou wilt not leave our
VILLAGE, save with my consent? Shall l
have this promise from thee?"
The youth hesitated not an instant:
but the promise was given quickly and
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 Natchez 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 word, |
the old Indian pushed him in, and then
locked the door upon him.
CHAPTER XI.
Alone the prisoner remained until noon. |