The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-13
EXCITING RESCUE OF A
LOVER FROM SLOW DEATH
Had Been Tied to a Stake in the
Sands Just as the Tide Was
Rising.
ACCUSED OF SORCERY

LONDON, March PA graphic iIlustra-
ton Of the latent superstition and savagery
Of civilized" Indians. even after years of
patient missionary work among them. is
given in a story sent by the Daily Nails
correspondents at Victoria. British Columbia.
Dan WahtoboO is a member Of the Chi
nook tribe of Indians. and he fell vio-
lently and secretly IN love with a girl of
the camp named Chelahtka, whose rank
In the tribe was far above him.
But he knew an infaIlible charm which
had been taught him by a wise woman, who
said IT was woodworking.
OF deer fat he made a neat globe. and
through and through IL he stuck sharp
hahbut and black codfs bones. He wound
IL round with hairs OF the seal and the
mountain goat, and planted choice feathers
OF the loon and the sheldrake in the spaces
still bare. Cunningly he placed the amulet
IN MS boot In the hollow beneath the ankle
bone. And so he wore it. dreaming of the
maiden by night and meditating on the
same sweet topic by day.
Nahkstlass. the tribal medicine man, got
wind OF those doings and instantly scented
In WahtoboO a dangerous rival in the black
arts of mystery and magic, his monopoly.
APon Ian > ueSlTuCllOI-Dy
the unanimous judgment Of the chiefs of the
tribe If possible; by other means IL neces-
sary. The fathers Of the clan listened to
the medicine mans impeachment, and de-
cided that Wahtoboo must recant or die.
His hut door was burst open, and he was
bound hand and foot. He remained for five
days with no food, except morsels of hinty
hardtack' (sea biscuits) rammed into his
marched 1911 -
drink. So that his cries for water might
not alarm the camp he was gagged.
Several times daily he was ungagged that
ne might answer the elders of the tribe,
VINO tried hard TO win from him a confession
and recantation- XII that he would admit
was that he was in love with a certain
maiden. and that he was only practicing a
well-tr1ed and legitimate charm to win her
hHections; also that he had no designs upon
the ancient mysteries of the tribe.
Inc headsmen decided that Wahtoboo
must die. and that he should be drowned
at the stake by the rising tide, even as
Two women martyrs of Wigtown were
drowned in the SOlway Firth because OF
their adherence to the Covenanters' cause
In the fierce days of the Jacobite persecu-
ton.
Friends OF Wahtoboo. learning OF his
doom, hastened to warn the authorities at
Fort Essington. thirty miles away.
Morning was breaking grandly through
the somberness along the Cascade noun
tains when WahtobOo was marched down
from his prison over the wet sands. just
Iorsaken by the ebb's receding waves.
They took him 10 the ultimate edge, where
sea and land strike truce and the flow be-
gins The stout cedar stake was well
driven, and WahtobOo's laShings well
knotted from ankels to brow. where a fine
cord cut into the scalp. bracing the head
back against the post. Another line held
the throat just firmly enough TO allow him
10 breathe; the rising waters swelled and
frightened the cords horribly.
TIL doomed man faced the open sea, look
4nO 4 foh 0AN - H. Aa-- l.
grey-green OF the nearer waters melted into
the dark-blue swell of the Pacific. The In
dams made a grand stand Of the rocky pro-
montory Denind hin and enjoyed the spec
tacle as the sea m and fretted
around his feet. played about his knees and
splashed about his heaving chest.
He uttered never a sound; neither call for
mercy nor shout of s%cornful defiance es-
capped him. He was dying as gamely for
his love as any knight of old in the lists OF
honor by stroke of lance.
Il doubt If We can make it," said the con-
stable as he racing canoe bearing him, a
magistrate and the Indian agent from Port
Essington came within sight OF the victim.
See" he added, 1.-The waters seepin'
into the poor galoot's mouth. All, ye
houndsi" He shook his fist at the crowd Of
Indians clustered on the rocky point over
looking the sands. Wahtoboo was now
striving and straining to get his head round
to keep the sea from rushing into his
mouth and nostrils.
He was now the sole spectator of the
finest war canoe racing finish ever padded
~ LII 1ANAAr A6A NAC Sans III NIC
point had vanished in alarm. At last out
leaped a tall Tsimpshean, dirk in mouth,
and diving behind the cedar post down to
the sands slashed the cords that bound the
victim. On emerging, he severed at one
powerful sweep of his keen blade the lines
that cut into the neck and brow Of the
rescued man.
The poor wretch would have fallen for
ward exhausted and insensible into the sea,
but punches Of muscular fingers were
twined In his dripping hair and he was
quickly hauled over the gunneL-
"Illahee; hyack, hyack!' (hurry to the
ranch) ordered the agent, and again the
canoe flew toward the beach. and all landed
on the confines of Kitkatlah Rancherie,
and struck the trail up through the woods,
10 investigate one Of the strangest relapses
OF supposedly civilized Indians into abort
ginal barbaTism.
All the ringleaders were tried, convicted.
and fined an aggregate OF G270. bound over
TO keep the peace, and dismissed from the
council of the tribe. BY order Of the au-
thorities a new council has been chosen.
mainly composed of men well-known as ad-
herents of the Christian Church and for
their good conduct.