The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-26
k46E ffs1afTItE F,OEiOMA

huge powders, and, leaping from rock to
rock. was soon on the western bank of the
river and making his way up the opposite
h1i. Not far behind came that muffied
hgure, tracking his footsteps with a
logged persistence that brooded i'll to the
cause of her sorrow.
Climbing to the crest of the hill the
brave paused for breath. The bright
moonlight revealed his stalwart form in
all its magnificent proportions as he stood
erect ana gazed down at the brightly burn
ing campflres of an allied tribe. Abb
Sorbed IN his own reflections he failed to
hear the faint sob that came from a
thicket few rods away. 1t was the in
voluntary cry of broken heart. Oh, that
his ears had been keener But the Great
Spirit wllled it otherwise.
Suddenly Yokayo drew a long breath
and started along the hill with a quick,
eager step. Entering a leafy glade he
seated himself on the trunk of a fallen
OAK ana gave vent to a low, warbling
whistle. 1t was answered from the
distance, and Immediately there came
stealing toward the glade the dusky form
OF an Indian maiden. He sprang to
his feet and opened his arms to greet
her. She sank into them with low,
happy murmur of affection. His arms en-
folded her. he stopped to kiss her, when
there was painting cry at his elbow as of
a wounded and Infatuated animal. Quick
as flash the Indian turned, involuntarily
throwing up his arm as he did so, and the
long, keen flint knife that was intended
for the heart of her that lay upon his
breast was sheathed in MS forearm
Wakoonah waited not to see the result
OF her stroke, but with moan of mortal
anguish dropped the knife and was off
with the speed of frightened doe Her
course lay along the hill that leads to the
monumental rock.
Without any well-defned reason Yokayo
dropped the maiden his unwounded arm
still enclrcled, and bounded after her.
PerhapS latent spark of affection for his
oetrotheu still smodered in his breast
perhaps Intuition warned him of her pur-
pose. Then the premonition of evil which
took its birth in the call of the coyote re-
Cured to him with fresh force and lent
Wlngs to his feet. But he who could out
strip any racer in his tribe now found It
impossible TO oyertake the frenzied laugh
ter of Ohokah.
She reached the spot where the rock
merges into the hill. Her awful intention
now came to him with crushing force
His face blanched and his limbs scarcely
supported him, but with supreme effort
he increased his speed, wildly calling
tWakoonah, nui to NAH belhoorn coee p
(Wakoonah, my darling, come back
quckly.) The breeze bore back TO him a
peal OF knocking, insane laughter
As she nears the fatal precIpice her
sweet, girlish voice arose in the solemn
death chant of the Monowas. 1t was a
touching appeal to the Great Spirit to give
her soul sweet rest in the happy hunting
grounds surrounded by her beloved ances-
tors. Before the song was finished there
was an abrupt break, one last wailing crv
OF 'No me toukee" (my loved one, fare
well ,, and the song was ended in another
world.
Yokayo sank to the ground with his
hands over his eyes. A minute passed
two, three. The brave crawIed to the
brink OF the precipice and gazed down.
The moon, as if averse to viewing the
awful scene, had drawn a f1eecy cloud
across her face and the abyss was filled
with shadows. No sound came to his ears
but the roar OF the waters warning with
the jagged rocks far below.
Crawling away from danger Y okayo rose
10 his feet. CHANGING at the blood still
yelling from the wound in his arm he tore
a strip from his leggings and bound it
tightly to stanch the flow. One last glance
at the spot where Wakoonah had leaped to
death and Yokayo returned to the glade
to bask In the smiles of mis- newest love.
There are deeps in the Indians philoso-
ply too great for the plummet OF the
white man ever to sound.
FRANK l.. PERKINS.