The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-12-06

out OF line and disappeared: and when
the Cherokees were no more than hun
dred yards away, UncanoOla came in
sight a like distance IN the opposite d.
rection. running easily down the path
to meet the upcoming riders
Richard let slip an admiration oath
under his breath. There's fine bit
OF strategy for you'll" he whispered
That willy Jack-at-a-pinch OF ours viii
beloof them into believing that he Is
runner from the Cowee Towns tbs our
cue to lie close; he will halt them Just
here, and there viii be rowing eyes IN
the heads OF the two vino have not to
talk"
We had not long to wait Our cum
ming ally timed his hating of the ennis
saries TO a nicely. and when the three
Cherokees drew rein they were within
easy blades reach. The powwow. length
ened by Uncanoola till we were near.
bursting with impatience. was spun out
worldly, and presently we saw the point
ing Of II. The Catawba was affecting
to doubt the protests Of the emissaries
and would have them dismOunt and
prove their good faith by smoking the
peace-pipe with him
1 give you fair warning, my dears.
that you may turn the page here and
skip what follows II you are fain to
be tender-hearted on the score Of these
savage enemies OF ours. It was IN the
very summer solstice OF the year Of
violence; a time when he who took the
sword was like to perish with the sword;
and we thought Of little save that Mar
gerry and her handmaiden were IN dead
Hest peril. and that these Indians had
five horses which we must have.
And as for my own part in the fray.
when I recognized in the hve-feathered
oh AZ 81 Of ho
imp Of Satan who had been the merciIess
master Of ceremonies at the torturing
Of my poor black Tomas. the decent
need OF mercy which even a seasoned
soldier may cherish died within me,
and made sure the steel would find itS
mark.
So, when Uncanoola drew forth his
tobacco pipe and made the three doomed
ones sit with HIM in the path to smoke
the peace whin all around we picked out
each his man and smOte to slay. The
scythe-like sweep OF Jennifer's mighty
claymore left the nve-feathered chief
tain the shorter by a head in the same
pulsebeat that the Ferrara scanted a sec
ond OF the breath to yell with: though
now recall II. the gurgling death cry
Of the poor wretch with the steel In his
throat was more terrible to hear than
any warwhoop. AS for the old borderer,
ne was more deliberate. Being fair be-
hind and within arms reach of his man.
he seized him by the scaIpIock. bent the
head backward across his Knee-but,
faugh! these are the merest butcher de-
tails. and I would spare you-and my
self. as we'll
While yet this most merciless deed
was adding. the Catawba bounded to his
feet and made sure OF the horses, which
were rearing and snorting with alright.
That done, he must needs gIoat, Indian
wise. over his fallen adversary, turning
the headless body with his foot and glib
ing at IT.
'Wah! Call hisself the Great Bear
hey? Heap lie; heap no bear; heap moth
ing. now. PapOOse bear no let nfsself be
trap that way. No smoke peace-pipe-"
But now Ephraim Yeates. standing ear
a-cock and mOtionless. like some grim
old statue done in leather. cut him short
with sudden Hist. will YER and a
twinkling instant later we had other
work to do
Onto the bosses with this here In
dian meat, ez quick ez the loving Lord"l
let yeE was the sharp command
There's whole clanamfrey o. the var
mints a-coming down the trace, and
reckon ez how we'd better scratch gravel
immejitly, If not soonerr