The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-03-13

how to set the spirit free without pam.
With q quick start White Hand bound
ed back from Stung Serpent's touch. Inc
whole truth now came upon him. ne
knew that the temple in a neighDoring
village had been recently struck by light
ming and burned to ashes, and ne haa
heard that the governor Of the fort AZ
Rosalle had professed to ask his God 70
send the calamity upon them. Now the
Indians, in their ignorance Of faith, pc
lieved they could send message to tne
offended God of the white man, and tnat
when he knew the truth, his anger would
be appeased.
"Holdr' he uttered, raising his hand
towards the prince. What have | done
that you should take my life? From
small boy | have grown up here, ana
never, by thought or deed, did | harm to
one of your people. Why, then, do you
take an innocent person to slayF'
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 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.
''Nor he added, deeply and solemnly. 4
will tell the Great Spirit how was
poor prisoner in your hands. | will tell
him thus: In my own home had BIT
ter enemy. That enemy desired my
ruin that he might possess all my father
gold; so he betrayed me into the hands
of the red men. They took me with them
to their village, and | murmured not.
Then they seized me, as they would a
brute, and murdered me in cold blood!
Thus will speak unto the God OF heav-
en-, and ask for vengeance upon my muir
derers. Be sure, now, We warriors OF the
Natchez, that | win do as ! have said.
] have harmed We 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 falsehoodw
81 do not" was White Hands imme-
diate answer.
"Then listen to me. II l 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.
"Neyer mind. Such a promise | made.
But | have no desire to keep 1t, 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 ind
honor in taking the life of one who never
harmed himi"
'sNot in that--not in that. Yet l 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 l know that
thou wilt not speak falsehood to me-
that il have promise from thee / may
rest assured 1t will be most sacredly
keptT
"Ay-upon my life! replied the prison
er, bowling low.
"Then If l 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 eur
village, save with my consent? Shall !
have this promise from thee?"
The youth hesitated not an instanti
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 a word
the old Indian pushed him in, and then
locked the door upon him.