Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-09-12

wretcnes, Win rresn, CORY scaips
dangling at their belts, rushed over
I to apply the torch to the only re,
naming building-Pete Oberlin &
shanty. A young brave stumbled
over the inanimate form in the path.
way, and with q whoop Of delight
waved his keen blade over the thiok
black locks. Just as he stopped to
his victim an odd, long drawn CRY
arrested his arm in it's motion. A
wild and dust covered figure sprang
into the blood crazed circle, pouring
out u torrent of cultural abuse and
lamontation that somehow com
manded attention.
The old woman-for it was Wawa-
ga-bent above the PROSTATE man,
waving off the armed braves, and
felt for the faintost of heart beats.
Then raising herself to her full
height shaking back her snaky hair
and with rude, powerful majesty
sho commanded in hor OWN tongue
go whilo yet you have time. Be
foro the morning has ended tho SOL
diors will be on you. Tho man still
lives. He is mine. Do not touch
him. You have the scalps of the
others.
Wawaga was one of tho mothers
of tho tribe, and her words had
weight with tho warriors Black
Wing mounted his pony, and all of
his raiders did likewise In tho light
of the gray, cloudy morning a wild
procession scurried over the plain
and away once moro to the noun
tains, whore they could find secret
hiding and for months elude their
pursuors while they kept the whole
country in terror with their thieving,
burning and killing.
When Pete Oberlin, lying in his
own bunk, opened his eyes on the
dim scene, lighted by the fliokering
fire, he thought no had gone through
horrible dream. Kicking off the
covers, he sat up with a vigorous
jerk, but the sharp pain in his shout
der made him grind his teeth in ag-
ony. AT the same moment he be-
came aware of dark figure crouch
cd in one corner holding bundle of
white. His sudden motion and NUT
tered exclamation stirred the quiet
watcher. Stumbling to her feet, she
bore her burden to the pallet and de-
posted it beside him. Him live,
Ill boy" she announced gravely.
Peto sank back beside the sleeping
child with choking sensation, half
thankfulness for their escape and
half horror at the suddenly conjured
picture of the boy rs murdered moth
or and brother. He remembered how
he was wounded. How had they, too,
escaped sca.ping? How came Wawa-
ga there? Were the redskins still at
the station! If so, he must use the
greatest caution. Perhaps they had
kept him for torture. The woman
anticipated his queries. "Injuns
gone. You go now fore como back. "
Pete started again upright, main
tanning his position in spite of the
shooting pain and dreadful dizziness
(which way shall go and how?"
he asked eagerly. II must take lit
tie Jim. Did them raskils git all
ther hosses?'
white man keep still. Wawaga
get pony, and the old woman drew
The tattered blanket around her and
slipped nulSclesSly from the room,
leaving Pete to his own busy
thoughts. She was gone but few
seconds before she glided in again,
muttering: Him ready. You go
fort No find Injuns."
Pete felt sick and faint. He Won
dered how he could keep himself and
the droNsy child on the animals
back over tho many miles of rough
road that lay between them and
safety. 1t was impossible to remain
in their defenseless position, so he
must make the effort He could not
imagine how the squaw had dismiss
cd his assailants, and he expected
their return with darkness to finish
their programme of vengeance.
Wawaga herself carried out the
boy. mo touch. arm hurt" she
said, motioning away the wounded
man. Very gently she lifted the
tiny figure, stilling its fretful wall
and coaxing him to wake up and
ride on the pony. She led the way,
and Pete followed. AS he stepped
out into tho dusk his heart swelled
at tho utter desolation. Only the
scorched row of gum trees marked
the site of Rush Station beside his
forlorn little cabin.
With a good deal of wrenching and
pain Pete clambered into the saddle.
The squaw lifted the boy before him.
The man gathered the bride into his
useful hand, encircling the child
with the same arm. Before he put
spurs to his horse and set out on his
perilous journey he leaned down to-
ward the stunted and squalid bag at
the horses head, saying hoarsely
You're good un, Wawagal I'll do
~ much fer you If ever I git Their
chance"
"Ugh! grunted tho old woman.
"Squaw no good. Heap good white
man no lot ole Injun die. All even
now. Herc-ole squaw take UNI. Nc
good, long white man." She thrust
a black something into his hand, and
turning stolidly around re-entered
the desolato cabin.
Pete Obcrlin buried his spurs in
his animals flank, and the beast
sprang forward past the heaps OF
smoldering cindcrs and the blasted