The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-05
A SEA OF FIRE.

WHICH bnhll Wo nave rain again, L
wonaer?"
"Hold your tongue, can't you, Dick!
whatever sets you wishing for rain Oh
the morning of pionio?"
"There's no need to wish for ii"
struck III the third member of the party,
with grin.
you've only got to start out on a
plcni' and the rains bound to come
without being called forl''
The speakers were three young Eng
lishmen, on hunting expedition over
the prairies OF the Far West.
Their tour had already lasted several
weeks, aud their plan for the day was
to lide over the prairie to cur1ously-
shaped hill, or rather bluff which was
one of the sights of the district, lunch
at its foot. and then, unless some spe
claliy attractive game happened to fall
i'll their way, ride back again, before
the hent OF tue day set in, to their log.
hut, in front of which they were now
standing beside their saddled horses.
just at that moment their guide
stalked out from behind the hut, lead
ing his horse by the bride; and very
striking figure he was.
His sharp vulture-like features, and
the coppery hue of his scantiIy-clad
body, showed him to be an Indian.
His name of Mahtochuga (Little
Bear) seemed anything but appropriate
to man over six feet in height, and so
gaunt and sinewy that he looked much
more like prairie wolf than bear.
The single lock Of coarse hair that
stood out from the old warriors shaven
crown was now white as anow.
But old as he was, one could see by
his keen bright eye, and the panther
like nimbleness of all his movements,
that he bade fair to outllve many O
younger man yet.
He spoke not word. but simply
pointed southwark, and sp ringing into
his saddle, rode off. followed at once
by the three Englishmen. white sturdy
figure with hair and beard as red as It's
tattered shirt, suddenly appeared in
the doorway Of the Iog-hut, shouted
after them lusty "Good-fortune to
yon, boysl'
Away they went merrily enough,
keeping up constant talk and laugh
ter which contrasted very markedly
with the stern silence of the old Indian,
who went straight onward without even
opening his lips.
The three horsemen would gladly
have put their horses TO speed, and
raced each other all the way; but this
was impossible among that endless
jungle of tall prairie-grass, dry as tin
der from the long g-continued heat, and
so high as in many places to brush their
shoulders.
"No smoking around here, boys, /"
said Dick Harrison.
eff ono spark falls among this stuff,
there would be fine bonferl'
"Poohr' oried Tom Melton. '.if thero
were any danger, old Soalptaker, in
front there would have been sure to lot
us know"
''Seel isn't that our bluff away to the
right yonder2"
''It looks like itl'
His two comrades followed his point
ing finger with their eyes, and beheld q
strange and startling spectacle.
Right in front Of them, springtng up
suddenly from the endless leYol of the
prairie, was the perfect semblance of q
colossal head--the head of an Indian
chief.
The ohin Of the colossus seemed to
be resting upon the ground, as If the
figure were rising slowly out Of the
depths Of the earth.
It's mighty face was turned watch-
fully toward the east, as though 1T we're
standing on guard against the intru-.
sion OF the "pale.faces.
''see how old Copperhide yonder is
Frightening up at the sight Of It'll +
wonder If he expects 1t to get up and
have q fight with hilnl"
IN tuth, Mahtochuga's gloomy face