Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-02-08

lug chaSe OF the intangible, up
mountain ranges, when you pulled
your horse after you; down them,
when he slid atop of you; across NAL
pals and desert, from the level of the
mesquite and the greasewood to that
OF the pine and the manzanita. Chat
to's band was at the north, to the
south, to the east and west; but when
the troops got to the spot, after forced
marching, there was nothing.
1t went on for two months; and all
the while Mackworth's dependency
grew. The weight of years was upon
his yet barely squared shoulders, the
troubles of lifetime were writ upon
his face. And it was pitiably young
face, despite the growth of yellow
beard. He would not be comforted.
He was silent and morose. He would
not lift up his beautiful baritone in
song, be the camp never so dull. Only
his captain knew why, of course-and
he didn't tell. Neither did he attempt
consolation. He thought the remorse
healthful, and he knew, besides, that
IN such cases man has to work out
his own conclusions and salvation.
This is the way Mackworth eventually
tried to work out his.
There came one day runner from
the hostiles--a dish-faced, straight
locked creature of sinews-who spoke
through the White Mountain inter
prefer of the troops and said that his
chief was ready to go back to the res
ervation, but that he must go upon
his own terms. And the chief stipu-
lated, moreover that one white man
one, alone and unguarded should go
to the hostile camp and discuss those
terms. If a force attempted to come
he would retreat with his braves and
stay out all winter,
Morley made answer that he had no
fear of the chief staying out all winter
among the mountains when the agency
was so comfortable, but that if he did
the white man could stand it as long
as could he. Moreover, he said that
none of his soldiers had any intention
whatever of walking into death trap
of the sort.
Then Mackworth spoke up. "I
have" he said.
"Get out" said the captain, incred-
ulously.
'I mean what I say" said Mack
worth, "and l shall consider your per-
mission to go the greatest and the
only favor you can do me. Something
may be effected by it,"
'Your death, that's all; and little
preliminary torture"
The lieutenant shrugged his shoul-
ders. "ShalI you let me go?" he in
sisted.
"Not by long sight"
81 wish to go, Captain Morley"
Morley considered, and he decided
that it might not be wise to refuse.
There was no knowing just what the
set-faced boy might do. So they par
leyed together for time, then Mack
worth mounted his horse and went.
He did not expect to come back, and
the officers and men did not expect to
see him again. They watched him
go off into the distance of the plain,
toward the mountains, following the
hostile, who swung ON at the long,
untiring dog-trot.
After four hours they came to the
mouth of narrow canon. The run
ner had given no sign or sound, and
the fixed look had not gone from
Mackworth's face. Well within the
canon the hostiles were in camp.
They had hobbled their lean little
ponies, the squaws were gathering
wood, and the bucks were squatting
upon the ground or playing monte
with cards of painted hide, around a
cow-skin spread under a cedar tree.
Four of them rose and slouched for
ward. There was prolonged scrutiny
upon both sides.
The chief waited for Mackworth to
begin; but the white mans instincts
were good. He beat the sullenly
silent redskin at his own game, and
in the end the chief spoke. The
runner displayed for the first time his
understanding, and interpreted.
Mackworth made answer with de-
cision, otfsetting his own terms. The
bucks scowled, and the chief began
to argue. The white man, with the
unhinching eyes, would not compro-
mise. ''Tell him." Mackworth said,
"that this is my will. If he will not
do this, L go back to the soldiers and
we follow you and kill you all, man
and woman" The face of the chief
grew black, = growl rose from the
crowding bucks, and the watching
squaws began to chatter in voices
sweet as the tlnkle of glass bells.
The chief stepped suddenly forward
and caught the bride above the curb
shanks. Not so much as an eyelash
of the stern, white, young face
quivered, and the heart of the red
man was filed with admiration. One
movement of fear would have cost
Mackworth his life then; but he was
not afraid not though he knew that
torture might await him. He sat
looking coolly down at the lowering,
cruel faces. The chief turned and
spele to the bucks, and there was o
growl of protest; the squaws joined