The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-04-24
Achonnoab, fondling the nose that

were DOtn on blachlta, AchOnnOal III
the saddle, and pony and rider flying
like the wind over tho grass of the
| prairies. If they had to walk like
sober people coming back, why then
| they would make up for it going!
On galloped Blechita. Three miles
or more were passed IN this way, then
| Achonhoah pulled the reins tight.
This was the signal to Blachlta to slow
up, then to walk.
''You must take some good long
breaths now, pne1ida (dear one). II
wouldn't be best for your health to so
on too long in this way"
Just about here there was turning
to be made, where the road enters d
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 ell like the stumps,
! and wanted to be constantly execut'
Ing the steps OF hornpipe from one
| to the other.
"Charl Blachita, kish, kish !''
(steady, steady, my little Blacky y 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 81 Indian in full
camp dress, horribly painted on his
face and throat, and with feathers
stuck in his hair. It was Harwepoyer.
She knew him the moment her eyes
rested upon him.
'If you scream again, I give you
something to scream for!" he ia
nounced, savagely, at thu sanlo 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 BIachita had never in all her
life been used 10 any such treatment,
and, as any high'spirised young lady
would, she resented it, and to the ex.
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-
ton, then struck Biachita singing
blow over the head. This was moro
than Achonhoah could bear. She
burst into tears, and. bending over,
began to stroke Blachita's neck and to
talk TO her soothingly.
"Sit p,and stop that" commanded
Harwepoyer. 81 give you soon what
| give the pony if you no hush up"
What was be going to do with her?
This wss the question now uppermost
in .Achonho ah's mind. She knew that
be 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-quarters
OF mile, then Achcnhosh saw they
were Approaching q clearing. It was
q very small clearing, however, and
seemed to De in tie very heart OF the
timber. In The midst OF it stood a
small, deserted cabin, built OF cotton.
wood logs, chinEed in with clay.
AS they rode into the clearing Har-
wepoyer dismounted, and, coming to
Achonhoah, 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 were some
preparations for living. Harwepoyer
had evidently been here and made
them. Indeed, he told her so directly.
There was slab of bacon hanging ap.
and nearby, in corner, sack OF
meal md a jug OF molasses.
est down." said Harwepoyer, sharp
", "sit down! You got to stay here, SO
youj just as we'll make up your mind to
i'll; yes, one, two, three, may be i've, six
days. Then your friends give up, I
know, and pay the $50, may be the
$100"-,hls crafty eyes gleaming-"l'm
going to ask them, to get you again"
So this was his design? 1t was not
herself, after all, he wanted, but
money. He would keep her concealed
until those VINO 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 go near
~ wild with the pain and the horror
Of it all.
The afternoon wore on. The very
inmates seemed interminable. How
was she ever to get through the days?
There was not q soul near upon whom