The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-08-20
MALABAR
By Frank III. >Ssveef
Copyright, l90e, by the 8. 8. Mcclure
Company

"Do you think Malabar will RUM"
The girl did not reply, but her lips
began to tremble. The face Of the man
bending toward her grew dark, but II
was the darkness oe despair, not OF
purpose
Perhaps IL he knew what you have
told me-" He hesitated. "Malabar is
brave and strong and noble. He would
not stoop to a small deed"
II promised him with the new year
that he should run for me at the green
corn dance. IL 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"
1--WE will fly, White Egret, into the
deepest Businesses Of the Evergladesg'
he cried hoarsely. There are places
where even Malabar's relentless arms
would be powerless."
But White Egret only looked at him
with sorrowful 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 1mpotent. 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 a great chief
and a better man for the tribe than l.
He has tasted the black drink before
and will not die"
"You say well, Ankona," broke In a
dark, towering and implacable, stepped
from the gathering shadows. II shall
not fall before the black draft. 1t
would not be a fit ending for war
rior."
White Egret threw back her head
and regarded him steadily. Ankona.
bowed his head. r.
"You heard alp" he questioned in a.
strained voice. ,
"All," calmly. "It was childish pratt
tie. I shall run for the White Egret,
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 I 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 a single despairing
glance toward each other. Ankona's
face was bloodless ana 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
leggings, 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
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 shut tents and almost suffo. |
Gated with steam made by pouring wa.
ter upon hot stones. After that they
would drink of the black draft. I'll
they died, they were guilty. On the
other hand, If they were strong enough |
to survive, their innocence would be |
clearly established. Later the racing l
for wives would take place.
Malabar was known to every one-I
revered, feared, honored. ALI knew L
that he was to race for wife and that
before the race he was to drink the /
dreaded black draft. Ordinarily they 4
would have scoffed at such absurdity.
If man drank and lived, it would be
q notable proof of strength, but to
dtink and live and then race for a wife!E
Al to shis crime, 1t was only what any
OF them would have done If brave
enough. He had killed a 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 tender place
for him in their hearts. II he could
race with White Egret and win her,
they would be glad. But Malabar came
first, for White Egret herself had made
It 50.
Malabar was the first who presented
himself for punishment. While he was
In the closed tent the tribe stood about
silent, with eyes furtively watching
the point whence the condemned would
walk forth innocent or be brought forth
guilty.
At length the tent flap was raised
and he staggered out. For a moment
he stood there in the sunlight, his hand
to his head, swaying blindly. Them
they saw him throw his shoulders back
wftha mighty effort, as one whose will
was strong enough to cast off the
weight Of all thugs. Slowly he turneGI
way from them and strobe Into the
crest to be by himself. That, too, was
dalahar's way.
Not until the maidens were brought
Orth did Malabar reappear.
II will race for nv snuaw at 0ncA.s'