The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-12-23
CHI PENDEXTER
1TI "Pay Gravel" "A VIRGINIA .scout" etc.

| II was now my business to recon
hoiter the fort. and observe how much
strength the place had gained since /
was there last. OF first importance,
also, was to learn the attitude Of the
Natchez toward the French.
I White Apple. the main hatcher VII
rage, was located about three miles
southwest Of the fort on a small
stream, and was less than three miles
rom the Mississippi. After recon-
noitering the fort / planned to return
10 my pirogue and take the water
route to this village On my last
passage up the river the Natcbez were
very friendly with the French: but
much can happen between voyages.
The Chickasaws had been develop
ing an ugly streak for months. Unlike
the Natchez, the Choctaws and Chicka-
saws preferred New England rum to
French brandy. while there was no
questioning the superiority Of English
over French trade-goods.
worked along the bluff until with
In sight Of the post and breathed In
deep relief The storehouse seemed
closed. and 1 could discover no signs
OF any new cabins in the background.
The place had grown none unless it be
some few settlers had built cabins In
visible from my position A minute of
study satisfied me. and began retreat
ing toward my pirogue, when a noise
between me and the river sent me to
ground and to cover.
1t was slight tapping noise and
suggested a woodpecker. l crawled
toward 1t, but again sought cover as
careless steps sounded In the growth.
The man passed quite near me. He was
a tall fellow. at least an inch over six
feet, with the mahogany complexion
and the graceful. powerful physique of
the Natchez.
After he had passed from hearing
took his trail and easily followed
it back to the edge Of the bluff. 1t
ended In an opening which afforded
magnificent view Of the river; and
there 1 found what had caused the
tapping. And II made my heart glad;
for # threatened much trouble for the
people Of young Louis XIV and his dis
solute uncle. the duke Of Orleans. re-
gent When the French fell, the Eng
lish went up-and contrawise.
1t was dressed skin. made fast to
-ho hrslo ~ vr-f<t, f-x-r,
reed arrows. painted red. stuck In the
ground before It in the form of an Y
On II was painted hieroglyphic pic
ture. In the upper right of the pic |
ture was the red and white feathered |
headdress worn by the Grand Soleil. or |
Great Sun. as the head chief Of the
Natchez was called
Next was depicted q naked Natchez |
warrior holding war club. Then |
came an arrow. pointing at a figure |
over the head Of which was a crude |
representation Of the fleur-de-lis- Be
low was a moon and the outline of
peach and a bunch OF grapes, followed |
by many straight marks.
Being translated 1t announced that
the Great Sun Of the Natchez declared l
his intention of making war on the |
French during the Moon of Peaches.
II was now the tenth of June. the
Moon Of Watermelons. The Moon OF
Peaches was July. Counting the
marks I found there were IS Of them.
and I knew that within 80 days war
would begin If nothing interviewed in
the meantime TO cause the autocrat Of
he Natchez to change his mind
Here was matter of great import
,nce Here was something 70 take TO
as a proof of my sincerity
we're the French inclined to suspect me
# being English at heart as we'll as Of
lame
Aside from this instinct Of self
reservation was the likelihood that
he Natchez would change their minds
,efore il came time 10 smoke the final
rsr calumet. For TattOoed Serpent
called Stunc Serpent by
no Frencll--war chief Of the Naichez.
md brother of the Great Sun. had
sen a consistent friend of the French
ver since the trouble in ZIG. and his
rest influence would he against war
< his brother had great affection for
i'm I did not believe the threat on the
ajnted hide would he carried out.
Also. word of the declaration was
ure 70 reach Biloxi speedily. How
yer. for my purpose the declaration
-as of much importance. provided
ORC the first to carry the news down
no river. Until changed. the war
,ons of the Natchez were Of evil I'M
ort 70 the lower valley. The man
tho first carried the word would he
oinr great service for France
ro,osed 10 do that service. and there
= learn things OF more importance be-
,re starting north again
Yes surely did | have an excellent
scuse for thrusting my head inside ,
10 French settlements once more. and
wing the lie TO any stories accusing
!. of being an English spy. And one
"A noad the hest of defenSeS when