Evening star., 1898-12-24

kiss its V-shaped head. Then he placed 1t
to hfs heart. That was that 1t might go
with unerring aim to the heart of the medi-
cine man.
Then he knelt reverently and kissed the
earth.
The steel-nerved arm drew the bow
string until the arrowhead came back
against the hand that grasped the bow.
The medicine man was standing in front
of his red-streaked bush his lips mutter-
ing an incantation to the particular spirit
ne was having dealings with. His broad
chest, thrust well out, seemed to invite the
death-shaft.
For mothers sake!' hissed the boy: and
'twang!" went the stretched-sinew string.
The jagged iron head of the arrow tore a
ghastly hole just where a streak of yellow
beads cut through a body ground of blue,
almost in the center of the strong chest of
the Blackfoot priest.
Never a sound he gave-only a little
hoarse gurgle as he fell forward in a
crumpled heap. and writhed over on his
back. where he lay, staring up at the smil-
ing sky.
The boys brain surged hot with blood
like fury. He rushed from his conceal
ment and pulled the feather of another ar
row to his ear the dead Blackfoot's COM
panfon faced him.
1t, too, found a. mark, but only through
the shoulder, and, too eager for further
combat of this sort he and the brave drew
their knives ana closed In upon each other.
But the devil was in the boy-he had
been booded; while the other man had an
arrow in his shoulder. which is not so good
as an incentive to fight.
In few minutes two Blackfoot scalps
were dangling from the boys shirtfront,
and he was taking breath after his fierce
struggle. He was mad with delight-the
delirium of triumph was strong upon him.
He felt like rushing upon the whole en-
campment: he wanted to kill, Kill, even II
he died killing.
He pulled a handful Of "sweet grass and
Ga in o medicine
He held it aloft and screamed in his
triumph. His high falsetto voice thrilled
the Hi, hi --,' of the Cree battle song.
That was the first sound the camp heard
from the battlefield.
He thrust the wet grass in his breast. and
raced for the horses, as an answering cry
came back from among the blue columns
of curling smoke.
In his pack was little woven horsehair
halter He pulled it out as he ran. He had
lived among the ponies and dogs in his own
camp-ther ways were his ways.
Two or three of the ponies were hobbled
as sheet anchors to keep the others steady.
He tore the hobbies off-from the chestnut
stallion last; then, grasping the strong
name, he swung onto the eager back ana
started the herd.
The Blackfoot warriors were running
from their tepees, but the Cree laughed in
victorious glee.
Round, the herd of ponies he dashed on
the chestnut with wild yell. ana Wnen
tnpy We're larry Sldiupcte' iS ""i'S
the lead Their fast-beating hoofs pounded
the grass-knit turf until it gave forth
sound like the roar of many drums.
A shower of arrows came hurting after
him. A few of the Blackfoot had muzzle-
loading guns A little puff of smoke here
and there among his pursuers, tiny white
cloud of dust thrown up to one side or in
front of him. told of the useless shots.
They were pursuinghim on foot-they had
no choice for he had all their horses.
AS he drew rapidly away he uttered once
more his shrill note of triumph. Then he