The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-27

races lhaI Iofmed nal1 cAA e.,
the bound captive. They sent for
Raihwood, and when he behelo ms
sweetheart fettered he stepped 1or-
ward and severed the thongs.
'tWho is this woman?" they oe-
manded, and Rainwood answered.:
"Niedonba" (my friend), as ne hao
named her.
II am about to betray my tribe for
gan, taking courage. II have nothing
| to gain; for you,' addressing Rain
wood, "for whom I do TINS shlns;
have taught me that the coward anu a1i
the traitor are despicable and You VIII
despise me. 1 have tried not 10 90
this But when 1 know that you, VINO
are dearer to me than honor, tnan
kith, than life itself, are in danger
must speak
my people have learned your plans.
They are even now in ambush; at tne
end of the River st. Francois tney WIN
fall upon you and Kill you. 1 caiie 4i,ts
with the hope that in return Tor tnis
treason you will abandon this wicked
war. Make a treaty and secure per.
mission to drink of the FOUNTAIN OF
Youth I am the daughter OF q enle1
tercede for you. I have said.
Immediately there was council OF
war One said she was spy. that her
| mouth was full of lies, and others
grunted assent One cried out, if an
| indian may cry out: kill her, XIII
heri"
Then Rainwood rose and said very
simply: "Whomsoever would kill her
| or even offer insult to her, should first
kill me- Not one here is fit TO follow
the trail she broke in the forest TO
reach us to warn us of the sure oeath
that awaits US where the river tells its
story to the lake. If those who are
older and wiser than elect to go on,
/ to fight this fight as we nave plannea
lit, 1 will be first in the field to arrest
| the flight of the first arrow; but let
ino man harm this unhappy maiden
1 who has risked life and more for me.
She is Niedonba."
There was that about the warrior
/ which compelled respect.
! change Veur we ~ plans, to fail upon the enemy
ang f fGT the H Be BE not
1 will you surrender the woman TO US!
/ asked an Iroquois who had denounced the
1fflii1t 1ff the Abenakis be not there and there
is lacking evidence Of their haviihs i front
of and facing the bloodthirsty iroquoisii i,fo
shall surrender myself and forfeit my, NE hIe'
but no harm is to come to this naloen;;
Il Does the brave understand? If the noble
warrior, athirst for the blood OF babes.
even a common woman of the Abenalxis
that he may quench his thirst but let him
brave understand"
Late in the afternoon, when Rainwood
appeared at the tent to which Nleoonpd
had ad f been e e 9G f6a the great Of the
Iroquois had decided to profit by the IN
aGn ig gYen 6y hea f6at 70 Tery nRgnf
Niedonba saw now for the first time the
awful consequences of her treason. ,.z
rocking plo0a to and Or fro my Upon my hands
Either you or my people snail perish-Per.
u with none to name her Niedonba-"
1t was indeed a bitter fate that befeIl
Il the the head nHus chief # to Lake St. Peter. The
and the Sivahe o9Sar SKI sRtng the farther shore
of the lake. landing below the mouth OF
the River st. Francois.
And while the Abenakis lay in wait,
watching the dark bosom of the river Tor
the Iroquois, the latter stole tnro1gh the
as serpents the Iroquois crept upon the
main band of the st. Franeois. killing n
Startled by the song Sf sIssgghteT shs
down to the water edge, followed by the
pitiiess Iroquois, who literally hacked
'iSi Knowing the cruel fate Of those who w.
were captured in battle. the Abennkiis is
6esnt t6e fierce PPfght reward the end of the
awful conflict two young braves faced
forest. In the dim starlight the battling
Abenakis recognized Ralnwood. the re-
nenti9a fignting man fi1ied the wilderness, and
whose name had been linked with that of
his sister. He did not know tIlS
/ sisterNthe daughter of an Abenakis chief
had betrayed his tribe and at that mo-
ment lay tossing upon her bed of boughs,
waiting for, yet dreading. the dawn.
But he did not need to know this. 1t
was enough that he faced an 1roquois.
'FYou' said Rainwood. "are brother to
Niedonba-I do not wish to kill you"
| Death" cried the Abenakis, rather
than pity from you! Come onl"
| ''I am Rainwood, the uneonquerable!
ct know, and have a surprise for you
come on"
With terrific voracity the two warriors
rushed together. For a brief moment they
trembled against each other, then the lro-
sank silently and then lay full length,
his mute face to the stars.
The Abenakis bent over him to make
sure that he was no more. then turned
/ away.