Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-04-14

The giyl did not reply, but her lips
began to tremble. The face of the mar
| bending toward her grew dark. but il
was the darkness OF despair, not OF
purpose
Perhaps If he knew what you have
told me-" He hesitated "Malabar ii
brave and strong and noble. He would
| not stoop to small deed"
Il promised him with the new year
that he should run for me at the green
corn dance. II did not know then,
looking piteously into the gloomy, deli
cate face above her. '.Malabar would
not stoop to a small deed-no. But
this is not small. He has let it be
known that he will run for me. He
would not turn from his purpose a
hairs breadth-not If he saw some
thing In front that would crush him
And--and it is right for great war
rior, Ankona. but 1t is hard"
I'VE will fly, White Egret, into the
deepest Businesses Of the Everglades
he cried hoarsely. There are places
.
would be powerless."
But White Egret only looked at him
with sorrowfuI eyes.
1--WE are Seminoles, Ankona," she re-
buked gently. You know our laws.
You would be the last one to break
them"
His arm fell back impotent. Yes; he
would be the last one to break them.
Perhaps Malabar will not be proof
against the black drink this time" he
suggested HE has killed, and it will
be made strong. Others have died.
But, no, no! Malabar is great chief
and better man for the tribe than I.
He has tasted the black drink before
and will not die"
.'You say well, Ankona," broke in a
stern, powerful voice. and a figure,
dark. towering and implacable, stepped
from the gathering shadows. Il shall
not fall before the black draft. II
would not be fit ending for war
rior."
White Egret threw back her head
bowed his head.
You heard all?" he questioned in a
strained voice.
"All," calmly. ut was childish pratt
tie. shall run for the White Egret
for have / not said it, and has she not
made her promise? 1t is only when
we forget our promises that we become
weak and childish. Ankona is young
yet and should be humored. | will let
him run the race with me and will give
him one-third the distance start as due
to his weakness. Now go!"
They went, with single despairing
glance toward each other. Ankona' Is
face was bloodless and set-bloodless
with pride crushed. set with foreknowl-
edge of utter inability to cope with this
man of iron will and strength. Better
be crushed than allowed to exist by
sufferance.
Other forms were appearing from the
forest-warriors in full headdress and
ieggings, carrying the guns they had
purchased from white traders; squaws
with camp equipage, medicine men
stalking solemnly and mysteriously
with eyes bent upon the ground; chill.
dren and dogs, some from the camp on
White River bay. some from Okeecho-
bee, some from the shifting camp
among the keys-all coming for the
great annual green corn dance, where
tribal laws were to be made, marriages
celebrated and criminals punished.
These criminals were now moving
unmatched, unnoticed, in many cases
unknown even, among the others. What
ever crime they had committed during
the year had gone unpublished at the
time, but now tribal honor brought
them here to expiate their misdeeds
On the morrow they would be placed in
closely slut tents and almost sutio-
Gated with steam made by pouring wa
ter upon hot stones. After that they
would drink Of the black draft. II
they died, they were guilty. On the
other hand, If they We're strong enough
to survive, their innocence would be
clearly established. Later the racing
Malabar was known to every one
revered, feared, honored. All knew
that he was to race for a wife and that
before the race he was TO drink the
dreaded black draft. Ordinarily they
would have scoffed at such absurdity
If man drank and lived, it would be
notable proof Of strength, but te
drink and live and then race for wife
As to his crime, it was only what any
of them would have done IL brave
enough He had killed man, True
but he had been provoked. He must be
punished, for that was the law. but
they did not wish him harm.
And they all knew Ankona. the gen
tie one, the dreamer and story maker
and, though none Of them revered OF
feared him, they all had a tender place
for him in their hearts. If he could
race with White Egret and win her
they would be glad But Malabar came
first, for White Egret herself had made
it So
Malabar was the first who presented
himself for punishment While he wal
In the closed tent the tribe stood about
silent, with eyes furtively watching
the point whence the condemned woult
walk forth innocent or be brought fortl
guilty.
At length the tent flap was raised
aud he staggered out. For a momen'
he stood there in the sunlight, his hand
to his head, swaying blindly. Their
they saw him throw his shoulders bacl
with mighty effort, as one whose vii
was strong enough to cast of thu
weight of all things. Slowly he turzet