The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-09-17

would think she was the Indian and
Shickshack the white"
I'm nimbler than Sally when have
my crutch," laughed the child, still
weeping through her laughter, and
trying to swallow her sobs. Ann and
Dick Yates helped her to the cooper's
bench. Piteous and courageous as the
little figure was, the other girls looked
at her with disfavor, and one of the
younger Rutledges whispered to Ma
hala Cameron that "a certain person
was always tagging Ann" as if resent
mig interference with a sisters privi-
lege.
Never mind, Peggy" said Lincoln,
cheerfully. sally will make a man Of
you If hard knocks can do 1t. Where
are Shickshack and the boy?"
"They haven't come In from hunt
ing yet"
And Sally took the opportunity to
enjoy herself"
He drewh his own large bandana hand
kerchief out of his pocket and kindly
wiped the child's face. She hiccoughed
In her effort to control more tears,
and smiled at him. Ann kept one arm
around her, and brushed down the
hair which struggled to her shoulders.
Peggy had colorless, aquiline sHte.
and a prominent though tiny mouth,
her short upper lip failing to quite con-
ceal her teeth. Her dress was of soft
tanned deerskin and showed by its
lines that 1T had been cut out by a
masculine knife instead Of by feminine
scissors. There was scarcely a fold to
conceal her slim shape and its scanti-
ness displayed one moccasined foot
hanging down. Her other foot was
curled under the bench, while pointing
straight at the fire was a wooden leg
strapped to her knee. She tried with
careful hands to spread the skin
drapery over it.
Dick Yates could not help looking
at her with curiosity. Even in that
time when SO many mixed elements
went to the creating of a settlement,
she was an unusual figure. Ann Rut-
ledge, seeking on Peggys head and
back the welts left by the crutch,
noticed the inquiry in his eye and
answered 1t.
she Is not Sally Shickshack's child,
or Shickshack's, either. They have
been in New Salem only little while.
He is a Sac Indian and likes to live
among white men. His white wife you
saw. She has stepson, | think, a
Canadian boy. There are four in the
family. Shickshack and his wife have
no children Of their own, though people
say she was married twice before. He
Is good Indian"
The good Indian that moment APP
peared at the door with his wife's step
son behind him. That he had almost
come upon his wife in the act of using
the crutch was evident, for he carried
the crutch in his hand, and had not
yet unslung from his back a full game,
bag. His gun he rested against the
wall within the door.
Come in, everybody" cried young
Green. "All New Salem is on a frolic
tonight. Sally has just been here en-
joying herself, Shickshack, and we
expected you and Antywine would fol-
low"
The Indian with dignity stepped
upon the puncheons, and as soon as he
saw Peggy a look of satisfaction re-
lieved the tension OF his face. She sac
still within Ann Rutledge's arm, but
gave the men of her family an
affectionate glance. Antywine, who
had probably been chrstened Antoine,
and was known to bear the name Of
La Chance, kept shyly in the back
ground, lifting himself with graceful
spring to sit by the wise on the coopers
high work bench. But Shickshack
strobe forward to sit in full council, as
became his age and character, Minter
Grayham hastily giving him the key,
The blaze showed his moccasins
roughened by much tramping, and his
leggins fringed down the outside
seams. But Shickshack had compro-
missed with the white mans dress by
subtituting roundabout for
hunting-shirt. This was buttoned
around the breech-cloth girding
his waist, but stood open, show
ing his sinewy red neck at the top.
He had also let his hair grow and it
made black thatch upon his head.
Dick Yates gave Shickshack the
grave salutation which he knew an
Indian loved. The Sac fastened his
eyes on Dick as the chief man at the
fire, and the one for whom perhaps 1t
had been kindled. Though his face
did not betray 1t, he was pleased also
to hear the young pale face talking to
Peggy under the chatter of other
voices.
"You have as much spunk as boy"
approved Dick. Il like to see little
girl able to hush up crying
But | am not a little girl" said
Peggy. Il am Is years old"
Fifteen, Peggy! You can't be Is!
thought you were about TO-"
That's because am so little for my
age. And my name isn't really
Peggy"
They called you Peggy"
That's because have peg leg. My
own name Is COnsuelO IOrimer And