Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-10-22
CHAPTER xviii

| Inc PrOpheC QlO not seem more ex-
cited than usual He was always In
tensely in earnest, but not more 30 now
than was his habit. After the evening
meal was over he replenished the fires
sn the altar, and telling the people to
| withdraw to the chamber in which was
the fountain he nelt down and 30 re-
mained some minutes with his head
bowed down and his hands olasped. He
| uttered not word, but TO God. whom
he worshiped. his prayers were louder
than the musical thunder Of all the
earth's organa 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 a gasp Of agony and surprise.
"Yes; 1t ia necessary that should
leave, and I ask Howard Blanchard 10
take charge during my absence. Are
you all willingf"
| The men and women coughed and
| nodded, and Howard Blanchard hdget-
ed with his belt and appeared Ill at
ease
LET the women and children stay In
this place. Until return they must not
venture nearer to the entrauce. Do you
understand, Howard Blanchard"
"I do and shall carry 1t out" &" replied
the spirited young man.
The Prophet raised his cap reverently
and gazed up as II 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
| rife into the hollow Of his left arm and
vtrode down to the Stygian labyrinths OF
the cave. In q 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 II
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
O 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 a torch whenever there was
danger in the outer world, 80 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, 1t will be remembered,
met the Prophet at the same point on a
previous occasion.
who was the foer" asked the
Prophet.
"BIaok Eagle and his friends, I" re-
piled the man
BLACK Eaglel Ah, knew he would
not dare enter the valley sacred to the
Great Spirit. 50 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 3d." The
Prophet wav I'd 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
.erved the Prophet for guide. but he
WAS 80 familiar with every inequality