The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-10-08
ONDAGRS SACRIFICE



at all happened when we were sta
toned at Durrampore. In 1857" said
the Colonel. that terrible year. Just
before the mutiny. when insubordina-
ton was stalking rampant among the
Sepoy troops, when daily. sinister muir
murlngs were heard. warnings. which
we foolishly set aside, but which were.
slasl to take painful shape soon
Ondaga and Djalma were twins. or
phans-young Indians we had found In
the servants quarters OF our residence
when we arrived We had taken a
great fancy to them both My wife
made a personal attendant OF the girl
and had her well instructed She was
a 1.-the. active, very handsome and In
telligent creature. dark skinned, with
dark eyes. wearing her splendid dusky
hair In two long tressesI In my turn
adopted Djalma. a fine specimen OF
young Indian humanity. but he, poor
lad, was destined to succumb speedily
10 the deadly fever. which that year
decimated the ranks OF the colored folk
We nursed him devotedly and untirlng-
~. but he had to go. The poor boy
died peacefully on my shoulder.
Ondaga was for a time almost mad
dened by grief. but my sister Blanche,
Just then coming over from England to
us. gave her ample occupation and
happily diverted her thoughts from her
sorrow.
My sister was tall and slender, her
features very delicate, complexion fault
Iessly fair. with bluest Of eyes and won
derful hair. haxen and silky, which On
daga used to love to weave into broad.
rich braids- We often used to laugh
ingly call them, white and Orange
Lilies" they formed such a striking
contrast
Blanche had not long settled down
amongst US when the terrible and dread
horror burst upon us ! remember well.
1T was a deadly close hot night, all
nature seemed to be waiting. gasping.
My wife and l had been talking over
with bated breath some very sinister
rumors we had heard, when suddenly
she called to me, Frank, what is this?
What can It meanT
& fastened to her. She held in her
fingers a slip Of paper on which were
written In tiny, almost illegible charac-
fers these words: Beware, when tiger
crouches he springs" 1t was in On
daga's handwriting, we were sure, {
though disguised.
In a moment an inspiration came to
me This" said. as a warning and '
one we must not. dare not, neglect. All I
has been so silent lately, no more com G
plant. no disobedience, only suspicious 2
looks and tones and the horrid smile / Il
have learned to hate among the Sepoy Z
troops. but I mistrust them and I fear
they are meditating some deYiIIsh mis- g
chief, and Ondaga, not daring to speak, b
takes this means to warn us" b
We talked late into the night, and 1t b
was decided that we should at once "
prepare for flight. My wife collected k
her jewels and valuables and placed b
hem In a small satcheI- took moth "
ng but my sIx-chambered revolver. and OF
ny check book. We had little ready
money which we secured We then ar 81
-anged to ride out In our open chaise b.
With the children, which we often did. "
We were to proceed slowly and leisure et
y, 30 as to excite no comment, until
'ntirely out Of sight. Then I was TO tn
rive at fullest speed to the nearest fu
epot, which was twelve miles distant, re
ecure seats on the cars to Murandore. VI
n which town I knew my dear ones 70
Tould easily find shelter, as we had CT
riends there. My pony rested was to m.
o back home again and bring Blanche OF
nd Ondaga to Join them. myself re- fu
urnlng to my post, for difficulty had Of
risen
The little trap used for our daily an
rives would not accommodate us all. ag
nd two trips would be necessary. fie
here was the dear old elephant, Dick. wa
h. how we wished we dare put the wa
owdah on Dick. pack all the dear at
nes in and make for. the road at his On
,pmost speed. But It was not to be bal
fought OF. The Mahout might, In my
sed most probably would. betray us, or
I'd Dick would not obey any other sol
,ice but his. and alas poor Djama's, ant
I'd bis voice was hushed in death. far
We passed a fearful night, dreadlng On
cry sound, and watching nervousIy ner
r any sign OF movement in the Sc sig
VS. quarters. but at length morning wa
lwned. and with It came renewed en-
pc Together we knelt and prayed tai
at God would in His mercy bless our EN-
ort to escape the deadly danger an<
reatenins us. and then arose, re- ,