Page:Bridge of the Gods (Balch).djvu/86

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trees.

CHAPTER III.

WALLULAH.

Ne er was seen

In art or nature, aught so passing sweet As was the form that in its beauteous frame Inclosed her, and is scattered now in dust.

CAREY: Dante.

ULTNOMAH passed on to seek the lodge of his daughter Wallulah, a half Asiatic, and the most beautiful woman in all the land of the Wauna.

Reader, would you know the tale of the fair ori ental of whom was born the sweet beauty of Wallulah?

Eighteen years before the time of our story, an East Indian ship was wrecked on the Columbia bar, the crew and cargo falling into the hands of the Indians. Among the rescued was a young and ex ceedingly lovely woman, who was hospitably enter tained by the chief of the tribe. He and his people were deeply impressed by the grace of the fair stranger, whose dainty beauty won for her the name of " Sea- Flower," because the sea, that is ever drift ing weeds, had for once wafted a flower to the shore.

As she sat on the mat in the rude bark lodge, the stern chief softened his voice, trying to talk with her; the uncouth women gently stroked her long soft hair, and some of the bolder and more curious touched her white hands wonderingly, while the throng of dusky faces pressed close roun