The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-05-19
Achonhoah. fondling the nose that
had been nushed nm AGAINST her

we're both on Blachita, Achonhoah in
Abe saddle, and pony and rider flying
like the wind over the grass of the
prairies. 1t they had to walk like
sober people coming back, why then
they would make up for it going!
On galloped Blschita. Three miles
or more were passed IN this way, then
Achonhoah pulled the reins tight.
This was the signal to Blach1ta to slow
up, then to walk.
you must take some good long
breaths now, rue1ida (dear one). 1t
wouldn't be best for your health to go
on too long in this way"
just about here there was turning
to be made. where the road enters o
stretch of timber. Most OF the trees
had been cut away, and there were
more stumps at this place than any
thing else.
Blachita didn't at all like the stumps,
and wanted to be constantly execut-
Ing the steps OF hornpipe from one
to the other.
"Oharl q Blachita, kish, kish !"
STEADY, steady, my little Blacky said
Achonhoah, coaxingly.
Suddenly loud hail in Comanche
caused Achonhoah to look up, then to
give utterance to startled cry. There
close beside her was an Indian in full
camp dress, horribly painted on his
face and throat, and with feathers
stuck in his hair. 1t was Harwepoyer.
She knew him the moment her eyes
rested upon him.
"lf you scream again, give you
something to scream for!" he an.
nounced, savagely, at the samo time
pointing significantly to the knife in
his belt. Then he seized her pony by
the bride and attempted to urge her
in the direction he wished to go.
But Blachita had never in all her.
life been used to any such treatment,
and, as any high spirited young lady
would, she resented it, and to the e1.
tent that she forthwith proceeded to
make vigorous imprint OF her teeth in
the hand clutching SO determinedly
her bride rein.
Harwepoyer uttered fiery exclama-
tion, then struck Blachita singing
blow over the head. This was more
than Achonhoah could bear. She
burst into tears. and. bending over,
began to stroke Blachita's neck and to
talk to her soothingly.
"Sit up,and stop that!" commanded
Harwepoyer. 81 give you soon what
| give the pony if you no hush up"
What was he going to do with her?
This was the question now uppermost
in Achonhoah's mind. She knew that
he claimed to be her father, and that
he had said again and again that he
was coming to take her away from the
pleasant home and from those who
loved her.
They passed along this narrow path
for the distance of about three.qusrters
OF mile, then Achonhoah saw they
were approaching clearing. It was
q very small clearing, however, and
seemed to be in the very heart of the
timber. In the midst OF it stood a
small, deserted cabin, built OF cotton.
wood logs, ehinked in with clay.
As they rode into the clearing Har-
wepoyer dismounted, and, coming to
Aehonhoah, toll her to do the same.
He then unsaddled both ponies. and
tied each by long rope to stake so
that they could Craze. The cabin was
very gloomy on the inside. There was
no way to get light except through
the cracks. The one door had fallen
from its hinges, and was now merely
propped up against the facing. Any
good, big gust Of wind could have
blown it down.
Within the cabin there we're some
preparations for living. Harwepoyer
had evidently been here and made
them. Indeed, lie told her SO directly.
There was slab of bacon hanging up.
and nearby, in corner, q sack of
meal and jug OF molasses.
"5it down" said Harwepoyer, sharp
~, "sit down. You got to stay here, SO
youjust as we'll make up your mind to
it;yes, one, two, three, may be five, six
days. Then your friends give up,
know, and pay the $50, may be the
Sl0O"-hls crafty eyes cleaning N
going to ask them, to get you again. %
So this was his design? 1t was not
herself, after all, he wanted, but
money. He wonld keep her concealed
until those who loved her, thinking
she was dead, would be SO rejoiced to
hear she was alive again, they would
pay the money he demanded. The
missionary might not have 1t, but the
doctor would. And to think this man
claimed to be her father! O, it was
dreadful! She felt she would 90 near
" wild with the pain and the horror
of it all.
The afternoon wore on. TIE yery
minutes seemed interminable. How
was she ever to get through the days?
There was not soul near upon whom
she could call; no ear to hear; no
voice to respond. Oh, yes, there was
one! Why hadn't she thought of it
before? There was Blachital A sob
OF Joy came to Achonhoah's throat as
she remembered Blachita. She wasn't,
after all, alone. Blachita was near.
Yes, Rlachita, who loved her, and
whom she loved. Oh, Blachita, dear
Blachita. AS she thought of her,
Achonhoah unconsciously gave the lit.
tie love call Blachita knew SO we'll,
and to which she never failed when
hearing to respond. But Blachita
could not come now: oh. no. She