The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1897-01-02

~ n with pleasant 9a tSs n mss.
Louis was a ood-for-nothing, as even
those who loved him had to acknowl-
edge. He was wanderer OF the
wanderers here to-day, away to-
morrow, ever on the move; tripping,
trading, driving dogs, fishing, hunt
ing, freighting, trapping. handy man
in camp in the woods, il boat or
canoe, or on the plains, a. home
everywhere. A fearless rider, skilful
dog driver, trusty guide, an expert
gambler, an inimitable raconteur,
rars good fiddler, and withall jovial
poor soul whose abundant good qual-
tiles outnumbered the bad in his
oddly equipped personality. The men
pretended to despise him when re-
moved from the influence OF his IRE
sistible good humor, the women
scolded and petted him by turns, the
Girls admired HIM in secret, and the
children worshiped him. The hero OF
many an unenviable exploit-of duties
neglected or promises forgotten, but
never guilty OF the meanness OF theft
or criminal untruth-there came
dav when Louis found himself IN sad
disgrace.
He had Joined the autumn brigade
OF buffalo hunters that started west
ward from the Red River every mid
summer, ani-just as their hope o
securing winters supply of meat and
a rich booty of robes was on tho pom
of fruition-hai committed an &C
which, in its very thoughtlessness
transcribed all his past sins en-
called for condign punishment.
The laws Of the half-breed hunter
of the plains were contained In o.
unwrilten code, whose ''shalt not's
we're few aud easy of comprehension
but thor observance was rigorousl
enforced, and punishment for thel
attraction was immediate and severe
The penalty varied with the degree
guilt, and ranged from the loss OF tt
offenders saddle, bride or coat,
logging, aud, in extreme cases. bal
isbmcnt from the brigade. z Louis
crime fell within the last category.
One evening the scouts reported
great herd of buffalo three hou
ehead OF the advancing brigade. Can
was made at once, sentrles posted, 81
strict silence enjoined upon all. The
after long hours OF nervous alertne'
the hunters sped swiftly ana siien'
away before dawn, to the migh
deed of slaughter, which was to ma
the birth of the new day. The rid'
spread out in long line to right a
left "a they advanced, and at lene
crested the summit OF q range OF
living hills that bounded ons side
the valley in which the unsuspectl
prey we're grazing peacefully. Err
I'm height they overlooked a bro
dsnression whose further limit OF
circling hills was already m AIDE 81
ious by the opalescent tints OF
,;sin, sun; beneath them foatet
cloud of quivering, undulatlng, sne
MET that hid the valleys bottom
sb,t from their view the thousand
wild cattle, whose presence was, ne'
theless, made certain by the muf
sno-ss and low believing that reac
their ears through the evaaescens
tain.
A sign from Fierre Oeioihio'
captaiu. brought the line to q
the hunters made hasty preparatl
for The grauf charge -loosening t
nowder horns, filing their mo-
with bullets, and adjusting Gin,
and saddies-all eyes were nxeu
Pierre, whose signal "Ho y shoule
tRa charging madly on the nerd
the supreme mo nent an eagle c
earring over the valley, Louls.s
RANG ont. and tie bird tumble
dis,1evellea bulk, through the stsr
or In an instant the distant
TONS were black with fleeing buda
Up from the mist they rose hk'
monsters from the waves, aud wer
over the divide, the earth vlor;
beneath the shock OF the m,
boofs. The hunters charged, ou
late: all that was left for their 81
aud knives were the poor outcast'
stroys-the sick, disabled, or '
lings-distanced or injured IN
blind, mad rush for life.
Conscience.stricken and u
hearted, Louis picked up the
eagle and returned to camp. he
full confession OF his fault, bu
pressed no hope OF pardon ana Of
no excuse. The women and old
heaped reproaches upon him.
unfortunate bird, the cause OF
was flung on the ii-e--a burnt on
"a their outraged feeling and
MIGHT have shared its fate II