Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-02-09

any kind, but | lifted my eyes and then sat
like one turned to stone. Not - feet
away stood man whose cooked and lev.
eed rifle was pointed straight at my heart {
And that man was half blood Indiau
| did not utter "A sound, but sat there
staring, open mouthcd, expecting to see
the rifle spit forth its deadly contents at
any instant. For possibly 30 seconds
neither of us stirred, and then the half
blood silently lowered his weapon, letting
down the hammer at the same time. He
did not speak. but promptly came forward
and squatted close ut hand, reaching out
and appropriating some of the dried beef,
which he ravenously devoured
BY that time ! regained my nerve, and
snatching out revolver | demanded to
know the meaning of his actions He was
not in the least disturbed, for, still with
out speaking, he secured more of the dried
beef and crammed it into his mouth
"Well, You certainly have cheek" half
laughed. "You sneak up on IA man like
this and get the drop on him, and then
you eat his rations without as much as
saying by your leave" have half Il mind
to bore you"
Still he spoke no word, but continued
eating until satisfied. Then. wipng his
mouth with his hand he startled me by
saying in English:
~ didn't shoot you; why YOU want TO
shoot me2 ! was much hungry"
81 should say 500 was my exclamation.
But what want to know is what you
meant by sneaking upon me in that way
and pointing your gun at me-"
Thought you some other man. If you
had been-ugh"'
"Nou would have shot me9"
Like dog he cried, his eyes blaz-
ing. For one week he on his trail.
find him soon-I find them both Then
will shoot"
"This individual must have wronged
yOu;' | ventured, my interest in the half
blood increasing
muttering sound came from his throat,
and he ground his teeth together. while the
look on his face was actually fendish
g tell you"' was his low but fiercely
spoken words. "Iie steal of me my squawl
Is that not enough? She have white blood
in her, like myself, and she want to he
like the whites. do everything to please
her. try to make myself like the white
man, though ! be despised for the red
blood in me. And my father was chief
of the Navaioesn'
The final words were uttered with pride
while he glared at me in way did not
like. Before could speak, he went on:
1.-THE wife of my father was white
woman She was captive taken in war,
and she became my mother In time she
did not care to return to her people The
red man who tries to mingle with the
whites and live like them is fool That
have learned. When / have found this
white devil who stole my squaw, | shall
go back to my people"
IL was not necessary to question him
further, and ! shuddered as ! thought of
the fate that would befall the man he was
after, should he ever be overtaken by the
avenger.
When he had explained, the half blood
relapsed into moody silence, sitting on
the ground and staring at the fire will
confess ! was far from comfortable, but !
knew of no way to rid myself of his pres
ence and was forced to submit to the in
evitable when he rolled himself before the
fire and slepl as quietly as if had been
his best friend in all the world.
slept very little that night, getting up
many times to replenish the fire. Once
or twice ! saw my strange companion's
eyes were open and he was watching my
movements, but he slept again as soon as
| settled down.
The half blood was astir as soon as the
light of approaching day began to show
in the east. ! had fallen into deep sleep,
utterly worn out with fatigue and watch
ing, but he came and aroused me.
1.-The sun comes soon" he said, "and
the day will be hot. This is the time to
% on. Which way"
'To the south, " was my reply.
'The trail leads that way, but the Dev-
IFS range is there viii you 20 around,
or shall we travel together"
| had resolved to make the short cut
through the range but did not care for
his company. However, after a quickly
swallowed breakfast, we started together.
was mounted, but the half blood took
the lead, and he was as tireless rs a grey
hound.
No trace of trail appeared to my eyes;
but, with his head bowed and his eyes on
the ground, my companion seemed like
bloodhound on the scent. Right into the
heart of the wild and desolate mountains
that lift their barren, subscribed crests
to the sky we advanced.
All at once, the half blood halted and