The Havre herald., 1908-05-13
ONDAGA'S SACRIFICE
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"It all happened when we were sta
toned at Durrampore, in 1851" said
the Colonel, that terrible year, just
| before the mutiny, when iasubordina-
| ton was stalking rampant among the
Sepoy troops, when daily, sinister muir
murings We're heard, warnings, which
we foolishly set aside, but which were,
alas 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
| 1.-the, active, very handsome and in
telligent creature, dark skinned, with
| dark eyes, wearing her splendid dusky
hair in two long tresses I in my turn
adopted Djalma, a fine specimen Of
young Indian humanity, but he, poor
lad, was destined to succumb speedily
to the deadly fever, which that year
decimated the ranks of the colored folk.
We nursed him devotedly and untlring-
ly, 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
lessly fair, with bluest of eyes and won
derful hair, faxen 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 striking
i 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 I had been talking over
with bated breath some very sinister
rumors we had heard, when suddenly
she called to me, Crank, what is this?
What can 1t meanr
! I hastened to her. She held in her
/ fingers a slip Of paper on which were
written In tiny, almost illegible charac-
ters 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, "is warning and
one we must not, dare not, neglect. All
has been SO silent lately, no more COM
plant, no disobedience, only suspicious
looks and tones and the horrid smile
have learned to hate among the Sepoy
!. troops, but l mistrust them and fear
they are ameditating some devilish mis-
chief, and Ondaga, not daring to speak,
takes this means to warn u.s."
: We talked late into the night, and it
was decided that we should at once
prepare for flight. Ny wife collected
, her jewels and valuables and placed
them in a small satchel. I took moth
, ing but my six-chambered revolver, and
my check book We had a little ready
money which we secured. We then ar
ranged to ride out in our open chaise
, with the children, which we often did.
We were to proceed slowly and leisure
/ ly, 50 as to excite no comment, until
: entirely out of sight. Then / was to
drive at fullest speed to the nearest
depot, which was twelve miles distant
secure seats on the cars to Murandore
In which town l knew my dear ones
would easily find shelter, as we had
q friends there. My pony rested I was tc
go back home again and bring Blanche
~ and Ondaga to join them, myself re.
D turning to my post, for difficulty had
! arisen.
The little traR used for our daily
drives would not accommodate us all
a and two trips would be necessary
There was the dear old elephant, Dick
+ oh, how we wished we dare put the
howdah on Dick, pack all the deal
ones In and make for the road at hi
, topmost speed. But it was not to bt
thought. of. The Mahout might, in
deed most probably would, betray us
and Dick would not obey any othel
r voice but his, and alas! poor DIANA s
!. and his voice was hushed in death.
We passed fearful night, dreadins
7 every sound, and watching neryousl,
1 for any sign Of movement in the Sc
poys' quarters, but ut length mornin!
8 dawned, and with it came renewe,
hope Together we knelt and praye'
that God would In His mercy bless on
effort to escape the deadly DANCE