Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-08-20

= INS@ON toIW ITS WOONo'
now a woodcock Protected uer Young
nom Dor.
Unable 70 rosist the subtle influence
Of the balmy south wind Of yesterday,
redolent with cherry blossoms and fore
runner Of many such days to come. I
was strolling along one of the less fro
qlcnted roads in the immediate vicinity
Of the village My four-footed com
panion-a sa,in-skinned pointer, asso-
ciate of many happy day, with ruling
passion strong explored every copse
and thickel, regardless he Of scratched
body and bleeding tail, could bn but
gain one whit OF that intoxicating odor,
far dearor 10 him than all the "Sabean
! odors from the spicy shore Of Atabe
the blest" After an absence somewhat
more pIotracted than usual. casual
search in The direction | had last seen
him, revealed him pointing rs ] ex-
pected. The character OF the ground,
n rough hillock. covered with tangled
cat br ers and white birchcs. and con-
tiguous to n deep alder swamp, left lit
tie doubt rs to the nature of the game.
while the glaring eyes. the quiyeriug
nos,rils and the rigid stern left equally
little doubt as to the few feet or perhaps
inches that separated the educated ant
nal from his natural prey.
While admiring the beautiful picture
and hcsilatiug to inie fsrc. very large
hen bird Hoped heavily up. clearing
the brier with difficulty, only to drop
with a sounding thud yard or two in
advance. Almost at the same second
the smaller but moro vigorous cock
bird with the familiar ringing whistle
sprang twenty feet into the air and
away over the tops of the budding
| birches, across the brooS ssirting n
wide meadow, nor pausiug nor faller-
! ing. until with sudden dart and a
turn he wheeled sharply into copse OF
| alders and swamp naples. quite n diff
/ ferent species of bird apparently from
| his llultering mate. The latter natur
ally shy and retiring bird, appeared
| to have lost all fear of man or beast in
her anxiety for her little family's wei
/ fare, each one Of whom had doubtless
| sought shelter at once under some pro-
| iecting deal leaf at the very first indi-
cation of danger. So thoroughly, in
deed, were the little youngsters stowei
away that, although the rude nest con
tanning the four broken shells were in
| plain sight. no trace of them did a
rather careful search reveal. And now
began series of amusing antics on the
| part of that deyo ed parent that must
be seen TO be appreciated Around and
around the stanch dog she ambled aud
waddled, feathers distorted, and qua K
| ing Nor all the world like n dusky duck
in the cleaning OF the autumn evening
as he fearlessly prepares to alight on
his favorite feed ng-ground.
After several minutes thus con sumed
in completing the circles, OF which the
| sorcly-tempted canine was the in crest
| ing center. finding all her wiles fail to
move him other than an agonizug
twist of his head upon its axis, she sud
denly change tactics, and. with ruilled
plumage and open bill, boldly charged
the intruder, until but few inches at
most separated her from the Jaws which
there is some reason to believe may b,
her future tomb. Patience was eyi
IDENTIFY ceasing to be virtue on the
poor brute's part, and fearing dire re
| suits TO that little family of inuocents IN
case OF sudden half Orphanage. / rs.
serle my share in the tragedy by step
| ping slightly in advance. As the de
| lighted mother led me step by sten
away from danger. it was with %
culiar satisfaction | almost fancied ]
could see in her big xpre.siye eyes the
| relief il furnished her. Over the hill,
back to the road. and hundred yard.
down the same she gently drew u. and
| when with an utterly exhausted flap
she appeared to al ght for the last tmc.
l was not less surprised than pleased 10
catch glimpse OF her, completely re.
stored as IL by miracle, whirling ovei
the dense cedars and tall timber on q
/ hilltop until she reappeared ty long
circuit close to the original spot where
i first surprised her.
Retracing my steps. there sho was
sure enough. going through the same
old game as before. Calling of the
disgusted dog with much dinicuIty, /
left her there and continued my walk
he full OF regrets, doubtless, at what he
regarded As AN exceedingly unsatisfac
tory termination TO 50 much trouble
and his master, with murder mos
fou' and most unnatural" in his hear.
to marvel at the mysterious working ol
mans heart. which, while moved &c
pity and admiration at a mothers love-
can at the self-same moment resolve OF
the subsequent complete annihilat on
OF not only that mother but "all hei
pretty chickens. too. at one fell swOop.'
Verify, how all-COnsuming must be that
passion for the chase. which warps om
sympathies. and which knows no ghf
but the law Of misht.-F0rs5t GHo
Stream.