The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-08-29

She'S comm to- in answer to Toms
inquiring look "Ill give her something
warm to drink, an then put her to bed.
l think she'll be all right in a few days"
1t was late the next morning before John
awoke. When he went down the ladder
he found the Indian girl sitting by the
tire She turned quickly as he approached.
Me waitin' see you,' she said, grave
ly. Want tank for last night. Not many
do like you, only great warriors. But YOU
not know me?"
A strange look came into her face as
she rose slowly to her feet. John shook
his head.
Me Wacfita, from big river country.
Panther Leap my father."
Mrs. HOLINESS started and drew the
twins closer to her. The girl saw the mo-
ton and her eyes CLEANED.
Panther Leap kill, burn, DESTROY" she
said coldly. Hate paleface. Me, Wachi-
ia, only daughter. What you do now?
Better left In snow" to John.
Mrs. Holiness hesitation was but mo-
mentary. Placing her han kindly upon
the girls shoulder, she gently forced her
back to her seat. .-.1
You are sick and tired she said
soothingly. You mustn't think of leavin'
here today. You amt to blame for what
your father does"
This cleaning eyes did not leave her face
An what you do when me get well? %
Why, send you home, Of course" in
~dignantly. you don't suppose we'd harm
you on account of somebody else, do your"
A softer look came into the girls eyes.
Me not KNOW" she said simply. .Me
never see much of paleface."
In the afternoon she was on the floor
playing with the twins. ga%
The next day was pleasant, and after
breakfast Wachita made her simple prep
arations for departure.
Panther lean not know - she c,i5 T.
answer to Mrs. HOLINESS advice for her
to remain another day. HE have MANY
scouts huntin' for me-
But before she left she took some pig
ments from her girdle and painted a rude
picture on the door Of the cabin.
mo take him off, she admonished
earnestly; "mebbe he do much good. In
dian read him and know paleface Wachi-
ta,s friend"
John had brought back with him a
small quantity of powder and shot, He
had not been able to obtain any salt. That
was almost as scarce as gold In the colon
les Just now.
But as the weeks went by he found lit
tie use for the ammunition. Snow fell
almost continually, and the runs and trails
became nearly impossible for both game
and hunter. He could not ge4so far as
usual and was only able to bring in a
bird or a rabbit at rare intervals Gradu-
ally the small stock OF provisions disap-
lpeared, and before winter was half over
actual starvation stared them IN the face,
Every morning John struggled through
the snow to river. or back
toward the Wolf rocks or. the Greatspond;
and every night,1Eas a rule, he struggled
home weary and hungry and empty
4 handed.
And day by day the color faded from
the cheeks of Peggy and Joan, and the
langnid steps of Mrs. Holdness grew more
slowan feeble. Jacob HOLINESS saw L
all from his bed In the little inner room
but he could do nothing, and he turned
his face to the wall and groaned.
Ar length they were reduced to sncl
roots as could BE gathered In the woods
and a small allowance of parched corn
II And then, as a last resort, John went e
some Of the neighbors; butsthey were5poo
themselves and could offer little assist
ance.
One day, while he was away on hi,
weary search for food, there came a sud
den knockSoi the door. Mrs. Holdnes
opened 1T and started back In rrvyt
s II.aaian warriors tood4befor her. am All
most at the same instant a 1.-THE fierlr,
pushed Between them, and the weli4knoW,
y. voice OF Wachita asked.
s. 10y all? Boy chief anne ~
mo- answered. Mrs. Holdness. che i
out hurtins. It's been al hard, }hard VIII,
II JteF., 49, 80.
YES me know. Hard winter All ro,,rs
We COME sooner = been far way, 8