"It crumbled to pieces in their hands, and before they had finished reading it."
"But no doubt they preserved the wood," I remarked.
"No one knows what became of the wood," was the reply; "and at the present time," she continued, "there is no material object left in support of the tradition."
The people were now arriving in throngs, and among them I noticed President Onneyubla gaily chatting with a young lady who walked by his side.
"Does he mean anything serious?" I inquired. "Or, in other words, does he mean to marry the young lady?"
"No!" was the answer. Then she laughingly continued, "Marriage with us is not considered a serious matter. However," she went on, "it is well known that Onneyubla will never marry, and though he seldom remains long in the company of one, yet he is a great favourite with the ladies."
"Then he is fickle," I observed.
"Not necessarily," was the reply. "Onneyubla loved once, many summers gone, but his affianced died from a fall received in the Yackla Mountains, and he never loved another."
Here I met many acquaintances, including Van-
