Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-10-26

quent dances i'll 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 swaying 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 all onlookcr. while participation
was sure to overcome the participant
with curious charm, kind of hypno.
tism; wild. restless. but not vengeful
spirit of the environments for the
Chcrokccs Aad long given over ven-
geance and we're 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
return to his Virginia home.
But before I CO." said he. 81 claim
another race as right. in order that
may have mere chance to repair my
injured reputation as a runner and partly
redeem my lost fortunes"
What is the stake to bel" asked
Cynthiana.
"Oh, well, say hundred dollars" he
replied. "Womcn do not bet high, I
suppose
Il do not believe in racing for money"
she replied
"Then will bet my gun against your
pony" he said.
Il suppose there must be stake, or
you would not be content. and so let Il
be as you suggest. My pretty Cutewa!i
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 jocu-
larry said:-
Let's stake ourselves upon the race.
II you win--I am TO be your slave. II I
win. you arc to be my wife"
Let it be so, them gravely replied
the girl. "for have long felt the need
of slave"
II Philip Fairburn was anxious in
the first race lie 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
lost no part OF her skill; her strength
had not diminished jot. and her nerves
were as steady. her breathing as calm,
as il she had been merely taking her
morning exercise upon the ban ks 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 scventy-fivc she suddenly stopped and
graspcd her foot as il it had suffered q
sprain. She seemed 10 be Juggling at her
dainty moccasin. Fairburn thought MOI
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 clcnchcd his teeth. bent his
head further forward. threw his weight
more upon 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
lctc Of the Greek pcnthathlon ever strug-
glcd 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 tho
goal. That odds could not be over
come. He was more exhausted than he
knew. but in the dclirium of his success
he placed his hands upon the fence and
vaultcd over it.
Then he bethought him of her peril
and turning, said:-
81 have won the race. and you ar,
mine: but what has happened to you
dear? Are you hurt?'
"Not at ALL she said quietly. "Bu,
an Indian maiden must not run In the
race with her mocassin half off,"
When he tried to take her in his arm.
she cluded him, and with roguish smile
glidcd into the cabin and to her apart.
mcnt.
Whatever happened to that moccasir
escaped the notice of all save the girl
and she gave no further explanation
than the one limited.
She was true to her promise. The
young people were married in week.
and lived together in almost ideal hap
pincss until the white mans war came
and Philip fell, fighting. beside his bro.
ther-in-law, Niece. under the leader.
shin of their uncle. the Confedcrat.
raider, General John Morgan.
1t seems something like a coinci
dcncc that the little place where he fel