Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-16

known 20 many by the name which he
gave himself, Daniel the Prophet,
but very few knew him personally, and
no one but himself knew how he lived
or where was his dwelling place. There
was tradition that Daniel the Prophet
had suffered great wrongs at the hands
of the Mormons to the south and that
he had started an. opposition religion,
the chief tenet Of which was that life
should be devoted TO celibacy and soli-
tude. If such were his belief, lie Ger
tainly acted on it, for he was but sell
dom seen, and his manner of coming and
| going was SO mysterious that the hunt
ers. trappers and prospectcrs of that
land held him in awe If not in venera-
| ton.
why, Prophet, am glad to see you,
as am surprised at your coming, said
Louis Kyle, advancing and taking the
extended hand.
Daniel-or the Prophet, rs we shall
! call him-always used the Biblical
manner in speaking, and there was a
dignity in his expression that precluded
the thought of burlesque. Even when his
statements were absurd, they carried
force from the earnestness with which
| they were uttered.
There is as yet no blood upon thy
hand that the physical eye can see
Woe be to him that wareth ON his
brother" said the Prophet gloomily.
Then woe will not come to me. But
| what if I should resist the brother who
raises his hand against me?' asked
Louis Kyle.
Resistance to wrong is a right, rot
| a sin. But when brothers war, heaven
| averts its face and needs rot the cause.
A curse has fallen upon our mountains.
The outlaw has made it his home and
| the gold seeker stains the purity of our
waters. larry not, Louis Kyle, but car
~ to thy father the story that will bring
him grief. Go, and will hold the path
between thee and thy pursuers,'' said
the Prophet, motioning back with his
extended hand.
In childhood Louis Kyle had looked
| on this man with q dread that manhood
did not entirely obliterate. Under any
| circumstances he would not have thought
OF invoking his aid. But now the neces-
sites of his situation drove him to seize
II
slightest prospect CT help to his be-
leaguered friends. 1t flashed upon his
mind that this man might be made
| available.
Prophet" he said, 'you have often
told me that your heart bled for the dis
tressed and that you loved these soli-
tudes because they shut you out from
| the misery You could ally. -
''And l told thee the truth"
With earnest, clear cut, Saxon phrase
Louis Kyle told his story, and then ask
| ed the Prophet if he would go to the
mining camp to the south or to the forts
to the east to get assistance
SOLDIERS are and ever have been the
hired murderers Of despots. 1 cannot go
near them. Why invoke the aid Of man
when the hand Of Jehovah rests on the
mountains, where the weakest may
seize it:''
II have told my story said the
young man, biting his dip and turning
| to examine the bride and saddle girth.
| And have heard it. Go to thy ia
ther and leave me here to pray, for light
before this mountain altar fire..''
| The Prophet waved his hand, then
dropped on his knees and lowered his
head. Without word Louis Kyle
swung himself into the saddle, shook
the bride rein, and his rested horse
wheeled and shot into the darkness.
The Prophet remained i'll his attitude
OF devotion until the changing of flying
hoofs had died out, and he might have
retained his position longer had not his
quick ear caught the sound Ct APP
preaching steps. He sprang to his feet,
grasping his rifle in the act. and within
a few seconds was out of the glare of
the fire and in the shadow of an over
hanging rock
WHO comes there?'' he demanded in
q voice determined and military.
II. Black Eagle, the Shoshore. was
the reply. and the next instant the
young Indian was before the fire.
''Comest thou alone?'
lido"
Then go thou to the other side Of
the fire. for thy acts have brought fire
between thee and me-
The young Indian obeyed promptly,
and the Prophet advanced to the fire.
| Il am and want TO continue your
friend" said Black Eagle. with an ex-
preston Of awe and wonder ON his keen
| face.
| Can the man be my friend who as
sociates with my foes? Talk not to me
Of friendship! You came here in pur-
suit Of Louis Kyle" said the Prophet,
dropping his usual form of the pronoun
"The Prophet Mistakes" replied
Black Eagle. I'VE saw the fire from
| far down the valley. Never do remem-
Der seeing one before III this place, so I
came to learn what it might mean"
''And now that thou hast learned:''
Now I will return to the camp of
the white men,
Aye, return and say to Bouton and
his murderers that you found Daniel the
! Prophet kneeling beside his altar fire.
And further say that he was praying
that the Great Spirit might destroy the
| 1shmaelites. who thirst for the blood
and the spoils Of those journeying to
the promised land"