The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1904-05-13

sOflS knew lndt some new luluS mus
be planned. He announced his decision
at his own village. after the triumpha
progress among the tribes had al
length been concluded
Since they have sent us no pres
ents." said he. with that daring d.
plomacy which made him a leader in
red craftsmanship, ''let those who
stayed at home be given some prisoner
in pay for those of their people who
have been killed. Moreover, let us Of
fer TO the Great Spirit some sacrifice in
propitatlon; since surely the Great
Spirit is offended" Such was the con-
clusion of this head man of the Onon-
dagos. and fateful enough it was to
the prisoners.
The great gorge through which
poured the vast waters of the northern
seas was a spot not always visited by
those passing up the great lakes for
| the western stations. nor down the
lakes to the settlements of the St
| Lawrence. Yet there was trail which
led around the great cataract. and the
occasional coureurs de bOis, or the
chants OF the lower settlements now
ana again lett that trail, and came to
look upon the tremendous scene OF
the great falling OF the waters Here
where the tumult assembled up TO
heaven. and where the white-blown
wreaths of mist might indeed even in
an imagination better than that of
savage, have been construed into actual
forms of spirits, the Indians had, from
time immemorial, made their offerings
to the genius of the cataract-strips OF
rude cloth, the skin of the beaver and
the otter baskets woven of sweet
grasses, and, after the advent of the
white man, pieces of metal or strings
Of precious beads. Such valued things
as these were in rude alteration placed
upon rocks or uplifted scaffods near
to the brink of the abyss. This was
the spot most commonly chosen by the |
medicine man in the pursuit of his in |
carnations. 1t was the church, the |
wild and savage cathedral of the red |
men.
Following now the command of their
chieftain, the Iroquois left their sta
!ionary lodges and moved in a body,
pitching a temporary camp at spot
not far from the falls Here, in a
great council lodge, the older men sat
in deliberation for full day and night
The dull drum sounded continually,
The council pipe went round, and the
warriors besought the spirits to give
hem knowledge. The savage hysteria
little by little, yet steadily, arose high
n and higher, until at length it reached
hat point of frenzy where naught
Gould suffice save some terrible, some
thing.
Enforced spectators of these curious
md ominous ceremonies, the prisoners
ooked on, wondering, imagining, hest
ating and fearing. Monsieur" sai6
'ierre Noir, turning at last to Law,
it grieves me to speak, yet tbs best 8
or you to know the truth 1t is to be :
on or Monsieur Pembroke. They will
OF have me- They say that it must
e one of you two great chiefs, for I
nat you were brave, your hearts were .
trong, and that hence you would find
avor as the adopted child of the Great q
pirit who has been offended" b
Law looked at Pembroke, and they Il
9th regarded Mary COnnynge and the y
abe. 'At least" said Law, they c
pare the woman and the child So Il
If very well. Sir Arthur, we are at Il
le last hazard Il
81 have asked them to take me" said a
ierre Noir, for | am an old man and h
ave no family But they will not listen Il
me-" n
Pembroke passed his hand YEARLY n
ross his face. II have behind me so d
ng memory of suffering" said he, al
md before me so small an amount OF
omise, that for myself | am content 81
let it end. 1t comes to all sooner N
later, according to our fate be
you speak," said Law, las though II
were determined. Yet Pierre says Il,
will not be both Of us, but one" G.
Pembroke smiled sadly. why, SIR" "
i'd he, "do you think me SO sorry he
low as that? Look" and he pointed N
Mary Connynge and the child. te
here is your duty" Nj
Law followed his gaze, and his look sh
is returned dumbly by the woman p1
10 had played so strange a part in TEL
. late passages of his life Never 'o'
word with her had Law spoken re- an
riding his plans or concerning what
had learned from Pembroke AS sp
this, Mary Connynge had been afraid ME-
ask, nor dare ask even now. de-
Besides" went on Pembroke later, me
he called Law aside, there is some th'
ng to be done-not here, but over we
re, in England, or in France. Your Ea
y is involved not only with this up
man. You must find sometime the pei
er woman. You must see the Lady tac
marine Knollys." reg
Jaw sunk his head between his the
Ids and groaneG bitterly. AM
Go you rather" said he, land spend IN
If life for her. choose that II na'
uld end at once, and here" pic
have not been wont to call Mr. y.
"a a