Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-10-19

sixty yards ahead of him. Feeling M
exhaustion, but with increased buoyan
of spirits she bounded over the fence.
touching it with neither hand nor f,>ot,
and then, turning, she gracefully waved
her hand at her competitor, saluted the
onlookers, and coyly vanished into the
cabin.
Fairburn paid his bet, and it was not
difficult for him to persuade Niece that
he was entitled to visit the cabin that
night to smoke a pipe with him and pre-
sent his Fluctuations to the fair winner
of the race.
That this visit was not disagreeable
to either of the late rivals was evident
by the small hour at which it terminated.
! That Fairburn was not displeased with
the Cherokees was proved by the long
stay which he made in the neighborhood,
with no other excuse than the fine hunt
ing and fishing, occasional races and fire.
quent dances in the great conical tower
which this sport loving people had dedi-
Gated to the uses of Terpsichore.
Here they were wont to assemble.
form in line and move around to the
weird music of their own voices until
the leader took his place in the centre
with his gourd, partly filled with gravel,
and assumed control of the festivities.
They followed his every movement of
limb and body, kept time to the crude
music of his rattle, until the whole COM
pany was sWaylng unit of humanity,
apparently under the control absolutely
of the gourd RATHER. Then there would
be wilder music and quicker movement
Until the scene became Intoxicating
even to an onlooker, while participation
was sure to overcome the participant
| with a curious charm, kind of hypno-
;ism; wild, restless, but not vengeful
spiiit of the environments; for the
Cherokcss had long given over ven
geance and were more worshippers now
than WARRIORS more fun-loving children
than worshippers.
1t was an innovation upon Indian GUS
toms, but quite often, through the media
ton of Niece, Fairburn was permitted
to accompany Cynthiana in the dance.
When the time came that he felt con-
strained to depart from the settlement
he visited the girl, and told her he must
lCluIll " Ills ISlllld HOIlC.
But before I go" said he, Il claim
another race as right, in order that
may have mere chance to repair my
| injured reputation as runner and partly
redeem my lost fortunes"
What is the stake to be-" asked
| Cynthiana.
ooh, we'll, say hundred dollars" he
replied, women do not bet high, |
suppose"
II do not believe in racing for money
she replied.
Then I will bet my gun against your
pony he said.
Il suppose there must be stake, or
you would not be content, and so let it
be as you suggest. My pretty Cutewah
and | would not like to part, but will
bet her against your gum"
This race was to be witnessed only by
| the Morgans and few of their nearest
| friends. A little before the time fixed
Philip visited the cabin again and joct-
larly said:-
Lets stake ourselves upon the race.
If you win-I am to be your slave. If
win, you are to be my wife"
"Let it be so, them gravely replied
the girl, "for I have long felt the need
of a slave"
If Philip Fairburn was anxious in
the first race he was desperate now. II
life merely had been the stake he would
not have strained every nerve to win
as he did, while the two ran for some
distance side by side. But the girl had
| l.. & tor ctr
had not diminished jot, and her nerves
were as steady, her breathing as calm,
as if she had been merely taking her
morning exercise upon the banks of that
beauteous river.
At two hundred yards from the end of
the course she was fifty yards ahead.
At one hundred she had lost no ground.
At seventy-fve she suddenly stopped and
grasped her foot as if it had suffered a
sprain. She seemed to be Juggling at her
dainty moccasn. Fairburn thought not
of her being in danger, or her being
in pain; he thought only of the priceless
prize that the moments delay might win
for him. He clenched his teeth. bent his
head further forward, threw his weight
more 1pon his toes, made longer strides,
strained every muscle until the Indians
said his veins and cords looked big and
strong enough for arrow shafts. No
athlete in arena or race course, no ath-
lete of the Greek penthathlon ever strug-
gled for success as he struggled to win
the prize of this contest. He shot for
ward like an arrow hurled by the bal
lista, and by the time the girl had re-
sumed the race he was fifty feet ahead
of her, and within twenty-five feet of the
goal. That odds could not be over
come He was more exhausted than he
knew, but in the delirium of his success
he placed his hands upon the fence and
vaulted over it.
Then he bethought him of her peril.
and turning. said:-
81 have won the race. and you are
mine: but what has happened to you,
dear? Are you hurt?'