White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-04-16


finished, he spoke words which sent
two of his men running down the
ridge in the direction of Lussan's
place. Then he asked questions which
let Jeems know the Senecas had not
gone as far as Lussan's, but that they
had heard the gun, and in seeking for
the one who had fired it, had STUN
bled upon their trail in the hardwood
slope half mile from the abandoned
house.
When his brief questioning was over,
Tiaoga turned his attention once more
to the young man beside him.
II think the boy is great liar, and
I have sent back for proof Of it," he
said eff he has not sped an arrow
through this friend of the Mohawks,
as he claims, he shall die. If he has
spoken the truth in the matter, which
will be proof that he has spoken it
in others, he may travel with us, and
his companion also, until her feet tire
so that death is necessary to bring
her rest''
Toinette began to prepare herself
for the ordeal, braiding her hair swift
ly. Jeems came to her, and she saw
the torture of doubt in his eyes.
II can do it, Jeems," she cried soft
ly. Il know what you were saying
and what they were thinking, and I
can do it. will do it! am going to
live-with you. / love you so much
that nothing can kill me, Jeems-not
even their tomahawks"
The tall young warrior approached.
He at least was one friend among the
many who stood about them.
II am Shindas,' he said. "We are
going to far tow1l-a long way. 1t is
Chenufsio. There are many leagues
Of forests, of hills, Of swamps be-
tween us and it. am your friend
because you have been a brother and
allowed me to live, and owe you two
feathers from my tuft. 1 brought your
Ratchet from under the rocks because
I did not want you to strike and be
killed in turn. You love the white
maiden. I, too, love maiden"
Jeems not only hope but shock. These
savages were from Chenufsio, the Hid
den Town-a place which even the ad-
venturous Hepsibah Adams had looked
upon as another world, a goal which
he had dreamed Of reaching in some
day Of reckless daring. Hidden Town!
The heart and soul and mysterious
Secret Place Of the Seneca nation! 1t
was vast distance away. His uncle
had once said, "You must be strong
man before you can travel to it. That
is why the Senecas, who range far
are the finest of all two-legged beasts"
Shindas spoke again.
"Tiaoga, my uncle, who is a great
captain, will keep his word. He will
kill the little fawn who is with you If
her limbs fail her."
Jeems looked from his friend to Toi-
nette. She had approached the fierce
old warrior and was smiling into his
face, her eyes aglow with confidence
as she pointed to her ragged shoes.
For moment Tlaoga repulsed her
Then he turned his back on her and
gave command which quickly put a
prisoners thong of buckskin around
Jeems' neck and relieved him Of his
bow.
Down into the valley and through
the forest the long, grim march began.
The two braves had returned with
the white mans scalp and the broken
arrow that had killed him. They
talked excitedly, and Toinette could
understand by their actions the story
they were telling. 1t was the por-
trayal Of desperate struggle between
their prisoner and the white-skinned
Mohawk. They measured the differ
ence in their weight and size. The
broken arrow was compared with it's
fellows in the culver.
Tiaoga spoke. "This youth shall
go with u.s. and in turn for his broth
erhood, we will take the maiden to
fill the place Of Silver Heels in my
tepee. See that he is given the scalp
which is his that he may have
feather in his tuft when we arrive"
Then he spoke to Jeems: "You hear!"
Then to Toinette: "You are Silver
Heels. She was my daughter. She
is dead"
No flash Of emotion, no softening Of
his features, no sign Of friendship
crossed the chieftain's countenance.
He turned and put himself at the head
of his band, huge among his men,
with the dignity Of king in his bear