The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-01-17

ste beyond the sweep of that hunt
ihgknife, the halfbreed stopped, and
with a look that should have carried
some warning of treaehery and secret
vengeance. he Kissed at the unmoved
maiden, threats mnttered too low for her
To hear. Something about the ruin of
her tribe came more distinctly, but his
insignficance gave no weight to his
words. Ills praetieed ear HOW caught
the sound of approaching footsteps, and
with gliding movement, he disappear
ed IN the underground.
1t WIS well for his Own sake that he
fingered neither 10 CRAFTY his spite, nor
10 feast his eye on the coveted beauty his
arm WAS too weak TO gain, for young
brave in gaudy war paint came quickly
up the path calling the maiden,s name.
She turned at the sound Of his voice aud
If eyer naughty eyes filed with love, II
eyer sad features relaxed in Joyous pas
sion. those OF the Inilian girl gave a
tender welcome To the young chief,
known among his people rs the Panther.
H. VAS quick To notice something amiss.
the knife still in her hand, the crushed
moss. aud traces of 4 recent struggle.
WHO has been here? Who has troubl-
ed vou2 las any of our tribe dared
hut no, these footprints are of a white
man. think should have known them
we'll When there is treaehery, violence,
secret murder or betrayal Of trust in this
onee happy valley, there, to and from,
you find the trail of the serpent, Benson,
the half-breed.'
Saving this, the chief seized his toma-
hawk, aud would have quickly followed
the trapper but for the restraining voice
of the girl.
Leave him alone" she cried.
She then told of his attempt and its
failure. and continued: "What matters
one life more or less? English and
French roll their successive waves of
conquest over the fated land. We are
weak dwellers in coveted country.
Enerved by priestcraft, debauched by
corruption. our people have lost their old
spirit of independence. Their eyes are
blinded. They no longer remember the
prophecy of Wenamoset or the warn
ings of his prophet son. No longer can
they rely on the strong arm Of my father,
brayest of the lighting sachems. The
days Of my people are numbered.
"Say not so, daughter of roxns. Lis.
ten, and know that the spirit of your
father still lives amoung his people. |
met to-day IN council, the chiefs OF our
nation Together We took oath against
the betrayers of our people, the spoilers
of our forests. Bombazee, Assaconbuit,
sachems of the Aknabis, ,iegone, all OF
them hearkcn TO the advice of your
uncle. Fear not for our future there
are yet many braves who trust not the
soft speeches OF trader or priest. The
times may now look dark, but soon there
will come II day when once again We
may think on the happiness Of love and
lite
Go, my lover she responded, "be
ALWAYS forward in the defence of your
peoples homes, but do not think OF
future joy. Drfam never again Of free
dom or love, for he dark toretold by my
fathers hovers about us IT will come
upon W., ana come quickly. See be-
hold The last struggle for our homes.
We attack not. bur defend. | see those
brave chiefs, aud you, my Panther, fight
ing not for liberty, but for an honorable
death. Whence comes your doom | see
not. There Is Il haze before mine eyes.
but your form | see plainly, fighting
ouly 10 fall. Think M more of a bright
future in store for lis; there can be none.
| inherit from my ancestors the sight
that never fails
She sank upon the messy carpet be-
side the brook, aud the young brave,
knowing that at such time she was
best alone, turned slowly away and left
her there