The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-02-02


scarcely acknowledge it to himself, he
had felt all through the day strange.
unaccountable yearning for his broth.
er's arrival.
After the hearty welcome and lit.
tie chat Robert and Jonathan set out
to finish the preparations for the morn
ing's departure. On the way Robert
confided Wahnonah's warning to Jon.
athan, who was much impressed and
troubled at the strange recital, and
thought it advisable to heed it. He
listened thoughtfully to Roberts ac-
count of greatly benefiting Osego, il
not actually saving his life. and how
his brother had since been called 'the
medicine man." But finally the talk
drifted to other things until they en-
tered friends house, thinking only
of the morrow and the troubles at
the north.
AS soon as they disappeared within
the door Wahnonah, who had watched
every step, turned and almost ran in
in the direction of Annie's home. ITO
save him." she thought. 81 will even
ask help of the fair paleface he loves.
II / must, l will ask her to save them
ALL"
1t was getting very late. Most OF
the lights were out, but few glim-
mered here and there-sleepless eyes
watching for the dawn. The moon
was down and the sky had become
clouded. As Annie Matthews for a
moment stood In the doorway for q
last look out into the night, her
troubled eyes wandering in the direc-
ton of Roberts home, then lovingly
lingering on the spot where the new
dwelling was hid in the darkness, she
heard her name softly spoken.
Turning around, her glance changed
to one of surprise as Wahnonah stood
before her. Then, before she could
speak, the half-brced had clutched her
arm and quickly drawn her out of the
glare of the kitchen light.
Come, quick" she urged. Robert
Fuller's life is in danger. / have
warned him, but he will not heed me. :"
AS she spoke she UNFINISHED dull
red blanket from her head, its long
ends hanging gracefully over her left
arm, and threw it aside. leaving dark
dress, without bit of color. Come"
she said breathlessly, clutching Armies
hand, ''he has just gone to Mr.. Good
mans dwelling" Wahnonah led the
way behind cluster of trees and
paused. Till now Annie had followed
without any seeming volition of her
own, she was SO startled at the words
of the Indian girl. But now she be-
gan to comprehend the truth of her
statement.
"What is it, Wahnonah?" she whis-
pered, trembling SO she could hardly
stand.
Just then faint rustic reached Wah-
dropped on her knees in the shadow,
pulling Annie down with her. Aduslky
form passed on in the distance and all
was quiet.
Co." Wahnonah breathed in whis-
per- go to Mr.. Goodman's home and
tell him / sent you to plead with him.
Do not stop to question. Keep to the
right. and out of sight. 1t is Osego."
she ended, with her ear close to AM
MES. RUM
Annie sped into the night, with q
pain gripping at her heart. Already a
sudden commotion was stirring in the
farther end of the settlement. Wah-
nonah, with eyes and ears on the
alert, saw Robert come out of Mr..
Goodman's house alone, before Annie
could be halfway on the roundabout
- lo1 40 - has
seen.
Crouching down, she watched and
waited.
Robert hurried past with long
strides, softly whistling a few strains
of pretty love ditty. Immediately a
| figure sprang from out the darkness
and followed. With catlike steps Wah
nonah glided on a few PAGES from its
side, thanking the Good Spirit for the
clouds so quietly gathered and SO
| dense.
Suddenly all was tumult A messen.
ger from the south had ridden in their
midst, giving the alarm to the ILL
fated town. The Indians were on the
way to pillage. murder and burn. The
confusion had caused Annie to retrace
| her steps for a nearer way to Mr..
Goodman's. and also to seek further
aid from Nahnonah. In her haste she
was face to face with Robert without
noticing him. "Anniew he exclaimed.
''why are you here?"
In word she gave her errand, and
then they were surrounded with peo-
pie running to and fro, hurrying on
to the strongly fortified houses so well
come now. Robert drew Annie aside
from the crowd and was hurrying on,
when an arrow whizzed past them.
Ne turned to see Osego ready to aim
| another.
Like a flash Wahnonah sprang,
touched the bow. letting the arrow
shoot upward.
"A daughter of a Mohegan pleads for
| the paleface?" Osego cried. go with