Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-08
RESCUE OF THE HAWKEYE
BY f. ROBERTS.

There was no doubt that Robert Chesney
Belden. better known as Dawdles, was lazy.
This was great trial to his mother, while
his lack of courage was an equal cross to
his father. If Mr.. Belden tried to bride him
with a new wheel or kodak to show a lit
tie boyish bravery, Dawdles shook his head.
'It Isn't because don't want to. but be-
cause I really can't" he said sadly.
He was sturdy. healthy boy of twelve,
yet he hated the vigorous games that most
boys love.
He had knocked around with the boys at
Bohemian school now for year, and was
as lazy and timid as ever. Yet. he was pop
ular. He was so good -natured and obliging
and had such beautiful manners that every
one loved him. The three boys who lounged
on the fence in front of the drill hall shook
their heads doubtfully as Dawdles entered
slowly toward them.
what do you think, boys" he said. hold
ing letter for them to see. Uncle Jim is
going to spend the summer in Montana and
wants me to go with him."
81 wish 1 were in your Shoes" said the
captain.
~ wish 1 were not" said Dawdles, heart
fly. tits tramp, tramp, tramp all day,
and slap, slap, slap mosquitoes all night
Uncle Jim is all right, but l would rather
stay at home"
'fWhat do you go for them" asked Phil
'I have to. Father and mother are going
to Europe. / would rather go to Montana
than get seasick, as 1 always do
TT will do you good said the captain.
sternly, "and l hope bear gets after you
/ would like to see you chased. Dawdles."
So Dawdles went to Beaver LICK, beau
tiful place, half way up the fragrant pine
trees There he shivered as they sat about
the camp fire and imagined he heard the
nvx,I Of yro1Vas and hears all around him.
At such times he crept closer to Uncle Jim,
who pretended not to see the nervous
tremor, and talked of other things.
Dawdles found a companion in Hawkeye,
the Indian boy, who sold wild berries at the
camp. Hawkeye ran the errandS, while
Dawdles lounged around. Still, 1t made the
white boy ashamed to hear the Indian
ambitions. Poor Hawkeye! His father
rarely allowed him to go to the reservation
boarding school, though the boy was quick
and learned easily. His brown eyes beamed
with delight when Dawdles offered to help
him with his studies. The two spent many
an evening over their books while Mr.. Bel
den idly smoked and thought that the red
boy would teach quite as much as he
learned.
morning, as he sat on stump and watched
Mr.. Belden clean his gun, 1.-THE Indians used
to own this country. The white men didn't
buy it, How did they get it?'
That's a hard question, my boy. Some
people would say we stole it, others, that
we took it by right OF power"
Dawdles rubbed his back against the tree.
1 think I'll give Hawkeye that bride you
let me have. He has a pony and no bride,
and have a bride and no pony. That Is,
IL you don't mind" he added, hastily.
81 don't mind" and Mr.. Belden never
smiled at the boyish attempt to make up to
Hawkeye for the injustice of the white
man. Hes nice boy"
'I wish Jack could have him on the team.
He runs like chain lightning, and Is slip
perry as an eel He would make dandy
tackle. Oh. dear, l wonder If l will ever
be any good in this world!'
"Of course you WILL" said Mr.. Belden, de-
cidedly. That is why the good Lord sent
you into 1t. You are twice the boy you
were when we came west"
Dawdes' face flushed with pleasure, but,
boy like he tried to conceal IL.
Are you going up the mountain" he
asked.
Yes. Reddy saw tracks of a mountain
lion-pshaw, Dawdles, you needn't faint.
The lion isn't here. l thought you were all
over that nonsense. What are you and
Hawkeye going to do?'
"Goink down toward Buxton. There are
some views over the valley that l want to
take for mother.
MT. Belden's face frightened again The
Dawdles of a month ago would not have
walked a mile for all the views in Mon
tana.
Take care of yourselves" he called back
to them, land be home before dark
Hawkeye carried the camera and lunch
basket while over his shoulder was slung
the new bride, for he meant to stop and
bring his pony back with him. They saun-
tered slowly down the trail that stretched
straight as an arrow before them. When
they were half way to Buxton Dawdles
proposed that Hawkeye should go and
get the letters, and he would wait for him
at the fork after taking the pictures. Hawk
eye darted swiftly away.
The shadows were growing longer when