The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-24


cry detail of the strangers appear
ance, and his keen French mind drew
its own conclusions. Near the close
of the afternoon, he left his seat and
addressed the stranger.
MY brother knows ponies" said
he. will he look upon one of mine?"
1t was equivalent to an invitation TO
call The savage arose and stalked
by the half-breed's side in the direc-
ton of Lafond's fine lodge of whitened
skins. As they approached. two young
| squaws glided away. Lafond spoke a
word of one of them, and a moment
later the boys of the camp raced eager
( ly in the direction of the band of ponies
on the hill.
The lodge of Michail Lafond stood
just beyond the village proper and on
a slight elevation. The entire camp
] lay spread out before it, panorama
TO be seized by single sweep of the
The savage paused for a moment be-
fore entering the doorway, and looked
about him with little envy. Never
had he visited a band so well supplied
| with ponies, so efficiently armed, so
| wealthy in robes and lodges and ket-
ties and all the other articles OF In
dian wealth which go to make UP pros
perity LafOld watched him closely
! The Indian turned inside the doorway,
and sat down on heavily furred buffalo
skin near the entrance. In the back
| ground wallowed a dim confusion of
skins, robes and utensils. Lafond
| placed himself beside his guest and the
pipe was lighted.
The stir following the strangers ar
| rival had lulled. The women and chill
| dren, having satisfied their curiosity
as to his personal appearance, returned
TO their wonted occupations, so that
once again the mingled noises of the
camp rose from the little valley.
| In moment the young squaw led up
| a pony. The animal was fine above
| the average. It's limbs were deer-like
| in delicacy, its nostrils were wide, it's
| neck slender and tapering-quite in
| contrast TO the ordinary Indian ponys
| clumsiness in this respect-and, above
| all, it was marked black and white in
| the pinto fashion. This last is consid-
| cred to indicate superior spirit and is
/ much priced. The woman had twisted
| pieces of bright-colored cloth and eagle
| feathers into the name and tail.
At the sight of so beautiful an ami
| NAL, the stranger exclaimed in delight.
| 1t pleases my brOther?" inquired La
fond politely. 1T is his"
| The squaw led the beast forward,
| touching the young warriors hand with
| the end of the halter in token of pro-
| prietorship. Lafond. rose and closed
were at once mufied, and twilight fell.
My brother is a great warrior" he
| began after moment, yet he has
need, Of ponies, for he comes on foot
| and his moccasins are worm"
Il The stranger, impressive, but watch
| full, made no answer.
MY brother has come far?" went on
Lafond cunningly
Far" repeated the youth politely.
| His eyes have seen the waters of
| the Great River?"
| The savage bowed.
Perhaps his pony was lost there?"
| 1T may be"
The sight of the white man fright
| eiA~d him and he was droWned?"
The Indians eyes flashed
ut may be So"
ION his back my brother bears great
scars" said Lafond suddenly, after a
| short pause but they are the scars of
brave man. He bears other scars on
his face; they are the scars of shame"
He ceased abruptly at the strangers
! fierce ejaculation. The Indian seemed
about to spring on him.
But" the half-breed went on in
! haste, my brother will destroy the
shame, and the scars will CO." He lean
! ed forward and touched the savage
lightly on his bare shoulder. They
are scars from the white mans pris-
I OA ne Sdlu
For a moment the strangers face was
study in livid hate. Then all ex-
preston died from it. leaving it stolid
| as before.
The half-breed smoked in silence. His
surmises had been correct. This was
| indeed the young hero of the sun dance,
the news of whose imprisonment had.
by chance. come to his ears but a short
| time before. He considered. Finally,
he turned to his guest once more.
MY brother has travelled many
miles" he said. Tell me, has he seen
the lodges of his people,"
THE prairies have been waste"
IL will tell you why. The great white
war chief has gone with his young
| men beyond Pah-sap-pah. There the
warriors will strike him and destroy
him. My brothers people are there"
The hate came back into the Indians
face with a flash. He fingered the haft
of knife that lay near his hand.
Il Will join my people," he said.
And aid them. 1t is well. But will
my brother go alone and without
arms?"
What would you?" replied the In
dian bitterly. Am / a chief that
should go attended? Do arrows and
rifles grow on the prairies?"
The half-breed craftily permitted an
other impressive but momentary silence
But if my brother were to ride with
a hundred fighting men; on his own
pony; with a rifle in his hand-woud
not that be more in accord with his
dignity as a brave WARRIOR" he sug-
gested suddenly.
Where are hundred such?"
Lafond arose and pulled aside the
flap of the tent. The camp lay in the
half glow as a fiat picture, and its
noise burst in through the open door
way like a blare of music. The In
dams expressive eyes flashed compre-
hension.
And if they go?" he asked.
Il, too, have enemies" replied La
fond.
Rain-in-the-Face smoked meditative-
~ If this man held the power to
sway thus the policy of the camp. why
did he not use it TO crush the enemies
of whom he had spoken? What added
force could a young, unarmed stranger
bring him that would compensate for
the trouble and expense to which he
was putting himself?
Lafond saw the hesitation and dread
ed Alright
MY enemies dwell in Pah-sap-pah, 4"
I said he, simply.