The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-11-16

the one TO SpOll IuH. W. diiCtiN
They went ahead in most un
pleasant manner. Barney was dragged
to the post, and tied to it with deer
skin thongs in sitting posture. The
Indians resumed their seats around
the fire. Barney took out his pipe
and began to smoke. A grunt of ap
prevail went up from the grisly forms
by the fire.
II kin wait if you kin, gentlemen,
said Barney, his blue eyes dancing
with fun. ''Mebbe you'll make M
your minds what you're goin to &c
with me-"
The squaw appeared with little
birch basket. and each Indian cast
black bean into it.
Say him prayer to Manitou," SAID
Iniun Joe, him come heap soOn." lie
touched the handle of his tomahawk
in sufficiently grim manner to be un'
pleasant.
1t suddenly occurred to Barney that
it wasn't Joke, and cold shiver ran
down his spine.
Iniun Joe watched him keenly.
''Where French Lcfebre?' he said.
Got him scalp" lie produced a hand
full of black hair, clotted with blood.
1t was incredible! Barney remem-
bered that French Lefebre had sud
denly disappeared some months ago,
but as everyone supposed he had gone
into the lumber camps no one but his
creditors took any interest in the mat
ter, or associated his departure with
the half dozen or SO of miserable In
dians who fingered out their lives in
holes and corners of the Ottawa val
ley. Barney had often bought bas-
lsets from the squaw, and once when
the boys tried to stone her, he had COW
cred her body with his own. There
was still scar on his cheek from the
blow of stone which one young ras-
cal mad flung at him. French Lefebre
had once strucll this very woman, who
was still young and gootl-looi<ing.
Was it possible that these remnants Of
their race had met to avcnrc their
wrongs? No one would even dream of
such thing They would dotf their
paint and go slouching about in their
usual nOiselesS manner, and eDSnare
fresh victims. And there was the
judges daughter, too!
'Got to say, say him quick" said In
jun Joe, lingering his knife with an
artistic precision which was not nice
to witness.
u reckon if you've made up your
minds, gentlemen" said Barney, ''it's
no use my spoilin' this yere funeral
Injun Joe sprang at him with the
knife, and Barney thought Of the
Judges daughter and said a little
prayer. If he had to go under to avenge
the wrongs of this last remnant of
their race it was no use attempting to
argue the matter when they held all
the cards.
Injun Joe made a slight cash in Bar
ney's arm aald drew back. The other
four Indians did the same. Then, the
woman came forward, bound up his
arm and cut him loose.
Barney continued smoking with I'M
disturbed gravity. 1t had all flashed
upon him in a second. This was the
Indian method OF showing apprecia-
ton OF the way in which he had saved
the squaw. He had become a blood
brother of the last Of the Iroquois. He
wondered if they would expect him to
sell Indian toys in Moose valley or to
shoot at Che was sure to miss them)
five cent pieces with arrows.
Him heap brave" said Injun Joe.
with painful disregard of Fenimore
COoper's studied and grammatical
phrases. Him heap brave. Him
white man."
An the show is over?" asked Bar
ney, stretching himself. The others
had disappeared. Only Indian Joe and
the squaw remained. They fell into
Indian file and marched down to the
beach, through the long somber ranks
of the pines. Then they entered into
the little canoe and padded up to the
Point.
Barney met Injun Joe in the village
next day. That worthy was loafing
round with string of fish. Barney
thought he must have been dreaming
and that it would be better to avoid
Davis pain killer as stimulant in fu-
turc. 1t was little too powerful in
its after effects. But as he sat on the
veranda that evening with the judges
daughter, she gave little shrek and
turned white
''Seen mouse?" asked Barney, try
ing to reassure her.
Your sleeve is slashed, and there is
blood on it, she said. Barney,
Barney, you have been quarreling
again
woodpile," said Barney, with unblush.
ing mendacity. 'Ireclson it shook me
up, an I'll 60 early tonight
Curious folk, wimmen are" unused
Barney, as he wendell his way in the
direction Of the Point. Shed never
believe I'm an Iroquois brave if l
talked for a month. She'd say it was
all that Painkiller."
Injun Joe was sitting by his fire.
making nets. "Why does nv red
brother toll for the paleface?' said
Barney, calling up recollections of
DeersIayer, etc. 'He is a squaw-a
catfish. Ugh!''
Injun Joe's sphinx-like face CLEANED
family for moment at the word
brother. Then he went on quietly
making lis nets. But French Lefehre
was never seen again.-G. b. Burgin.
in Detroit Free Press.
Italians iii England.