The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-08-22
THE SACRIFICE OF
PoNcHA-HoUMMA.
Continued from Page One.)

!iness from which his exalted rank dld not
permit him to divest himself. but which
in the present instance could not disguise
or restrain the intensity OF his paterhai
love, happiness and pride.
The happy return of his son dispelied
at once the misgivings and fears winch
had latterly preyed on the Sachem's 1nlno'
so he attired himself in his finest cere-
monial dress and, followed by Cola-6e'
Nouchi and Tchilita, repaired to the spot
where the harvest festival was to be held.
Poncha, more grateful than ever to the
Great Spirit for multiplied and unhoped
for favors, conducted the ceremonial with
redoubled fervor The chants, dances
and other rites were at their highest when
Nachouba, Ponchas lifelong frleno'
GREATNESS and trembling, came running
across the fields and stopped the GER
emory with commanding gesture.
"Ponchaw he cried, three ChoctaW
chiefs are on their way to our village.
They are now but an hours walk distant.
They come to claim Cola-Be."
"Why do they come to claim my SOM
asked Poncha, recalling at once his
dreams and misgivings.
Nochouba answered.:
"a young war; - of their tribe was
killed in the Gentry Of the Attakapas'
Cola e's hunting knife '7as found plant
ed in his heart. The Oh 2taws come TO
claim the 'rnrrderor in or.ter to execute
justice on him
Poncha's faiherly heart almost stopped
beating at the thought CT the awful ca
tastrophe which Stared HIM in the face.
He Intercepted his son with loo&
The young man spoke up bravery:
81 slew him for love Of Nouchi. But
did not murder him. We fought on equal
terms, he with his knife and | with mine
Because of the training you gave me and
the skill you impaired to me, proved the
stronger and more deXterous.'
Although the shadow of despair wrap
ped Ponchas spirit, this declaration
brought smile to his lips, for coming
from one whose mouth had never beer
known to give passage to untruth, it gave
him the comforting assurance that MS
son was no common murderer but mac
demeaned himself an honorable and fail
enemy, seeking in his quarrel no treach'
erous advantage over his rival. Still, TIT
circumstances of the killing were sucf
that Poncha realized the ChoctaWs Woult
Irest on them to prove Cola-Be guilty o
murder, rather than to accept the yount
mans unsupported word to clear him.
a trice, Poncha's quick mind had revolve'
the case and decided what was to be done
"Since it happened as thou sayest," n
said to his son, take Nouchi with the
and haste to the village of her kin folks
Go, waste not breath"
Nachouba drew the Sachem aside an
whispered in his ear. "Poncha, thy min
is confused. Thou forgettest the law. w
were at peace with the Choctaws an
; they have right to demand life for tn
: life of their slain warrior"
II forget naught," rejoined the Sachen
"But Cola Be is young, happy and limo
cent. He deserves not to die, and h
shall not de-" Turning to his son, h
: continued: go forthwith! Take tn
wife with thee. There is no guilt in tn
: heart and no shame on thy brow. An
? wherever thou are and thou goest, re
member thou hadst father who neve
once failed to keep the word he ha
: passed while the calumet's smoke curle
) upward to Manitou."
> Cola-Be, backed up by many warrior
of the tribe, pleaded with his father to
allowed to remain and to give battle
!. the Choctaws.
: mo- said Poncha sternly. Go il
stantly, my son. 1t is my will"
And so Cola-Be and Nouchi left til
Hoummas' village before the arrival
the Choctaw chiefs. Scarcely had the
canoe disappeared from sight in bend I
: the bayou, but the three ENJOYS of II
! Choctaw Tribe presented themselves b.
fore Poncha. They were painted for VIZ
I and bore implements thereof. One OF Il
three spoke and recited how, in Violate
! of the pact of amity, sworn to amid Il
I smoke of the calumet, Cola-Be had sla
! one of the Choctaw Tribe; and that the
+ came to exact retribution.
at is WE'LL" answered the Sachem
Z the Hoummas. 1T has never yet bee
) said that the Hoummas have owed de-
, which they did not pay, nor shall tn
, ever be said of them while 1 am the
Sachem."
. But Nachouba, the friend, had alreat
\ devined to what dreadful length the 81
: chem was resolved to go to keep h
y plghted word His friendship for Poncl
J. inspired him to make proposition whi'
: the Hoummas' chiefs, without sing
, exception, instantly sanctioned
= "Choctaws," said he to the ENJOYS, ST
Hoummas honor their Sachem and To-
= his son greatly. We will give you all Il
> treasures of our tribe for Cola-Be's lii
!. We will give you our pelts and deerskir
= our beads of wampum, our beautif
3 knives made of fishbones. And If the
!. suffice not" he continued, pointing to t
= magnificent crops which stood in the a
3 jacent fields, I'VE will give you maize al
roots for the sustenance of your tri
= during one great sun. We will give "
. abundance and reserve starvation for GU
!. selves-all this for Cola-Be's life."
= The spokesman of the Choctaws laug
D ed scornfully and angrily.
"But all this is not blood!" said he
= Nachouba's generous speech. There
"a but one price for blood-and that is bloc
Know you not, o Hoummas, the imm
~ mortal custom of our race-a life for