Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-23
CHAPTER xviii

bowed down and his hands clasped He
uttered not a word, but to God, whom
he worshiped, his prayers were louder
than the musical thunder Of all the
earth's organs. He rose hastily, and
going to where the people were gathered
waiting by the light Of the torches he
said to Howard Blanchard:
II am going to leave"
"Going to leave us" exclaimed the
people in o gasp Of agony and surprise
Eyes; it is necessary that I should
leave, and I ask Howard Blanchard to
take charge during my absence Are
you all willing?"
The men and women coughed and
nodded, and Howard Blanchard fidget-
ed with his belt and appeared i'll at
ease.
"Let the women and children stay in
this place Until I return they must not
venture nearer to the entrance. Do you
understand, Howard Blanchard?'
II do and shall carry it out, )" replied
the spirited young man.
The Prophet raised his cap reverently
and gazed up as if his blue eyes were
piercing the roof and looking through
all obstacles to the source of all power.
Then he covered his head, threw his
rifle into the hollow Of his left arm and
strobe down to the Stygian labyrinths OF
the cave. In a few moments he was in
the home Of eternal darkness, yet with
out increasing his speed he kept on,
avoiding every obstacle and turning ev-
cry angle with as much certainty as if
the midday sun shone full on his path
way.
Gradually the hoarse, solemn roar Of
the subterranean waterfall broke on his
ear, and faint glow, like the specter Of
dying light, fell on the dense shadows
in front, making them all the darker
for the contrast. The man in charge OF
his herders had orders to appear at the
falls with q torch whenever there was
danger in the outer world, so the
Prophet expected this. But he was not
prepared to see the light of half dozen
torches and as many torch bearers be-
hind the falls. AS was his habit, he un-
covered and stood behind the glowing
illuminated curtain of water, till the
torch bearers one by one came out and
stood before him.
''Why are you all here?" he asked
Because our herds have been seized
and we have been driven away" said
the man who. it will be remembered,
met the Prophet at the same point on a
previous occasion.
"Who was the foe?" asked the
Prophet
"Black Eagle and his friends" " re-
piled the man.
BLACK Eaglel All, knew he would
not dare enter the valley sacred to the
Great Spirit So he wants to show his
white allies that he is still working for
them by attacking me away from the
place he breads Let it be SO" The
Prophet waved his arm, and the torch
bearers, forming in single file, with
their flambeaus held high over their
heads, preceded him through the gal
leries and chambers of the cavern that
led to the upper world
The fires burning in Bouton's camp
served the Prophet for guide, but he
was so familiar with every inequality
Of the ground that he could have made
the journey blindfolded He had not
gone half the distance, and had reached
a point from which he could see the
dark figures Of the outlaws between the
fires and himself, and he was in the act
of sitting down with the intention of re-
naming there till daylight, when he
heard the low murmur Of voices near by
The murmur came gradually nearer un-
til he could catch the words and recog-
nize in the speakers Henry Kyle and
Kushat.
"Rest, >" said the Sioux girl "You
must be weary"
Il can never feel weary nor rest
again, but you are wearing yourself out,
Kushat Leave me, for the end is near
ing. Leave me before it comes" said
Henry Kyle
Leave you?" she exclaimed SIS my
love thing that grows weary with my
body? Shall leave you now when you
most need companionship? Oh, Henry
Kyle, you know not the heart of Kush-
atp'
II cannot explain, Kushat, but I feel
as if all my past life were drifting back
as the stormclouds drift before the
sunny wind or the darkness and mist
roll away before the light. The end !
speak Of is the time when by one act l
shall make to God and man full repara-
tion for the evil have done and the
suffering have brought to others.
1T is the voice of human love that
speaks" said the Prophet, rising and
going toward them. Next to the love
for q race which only God can feel is
the love which woman gives to the
idol of her physical affection.
''Is that the Prophet?' asked Henry
Kyle, and the click of his rifle lock told
chat he was ready to attack or resist.
II am 30 called by men. Happy shall
be if have won, when my work is
done, the name Of faithful servant"
replied the Prophet, and he went over
and stood before Henry Kyle.
"What news from the valley? What
Of my father and mother?' asked Henry.
The Prophet told him of everything
that had transpired since he last saw
him and Of the condition Of affairs in
the valley, adding in conclusions:
"When this trouble began on the
Blue Water, I dispatched trusty mes
senger to Fort Keogh for aid If he has