The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-03-10
CHAPTER VI.

away ana walked along tA0 Oohh Va -
river. As he was proceeding slowly,
looking for some indications OF an IN
dian trail. Vesuvius ran by him with
his nose TO the ground and did not stop
until he had gone quite down to the
waters edge: he then seemed at fault:
swan into the water and barked.
Attracted by his conduct, Allan care
fully approached the spot. Upon max
ing critical examination of the reeds
and shrubbery, he perceived that they
had been bent down and trodden upon
and Immediately concluded that light
boat or canoe had been drawn up there
and launched again. The young man
quick in his decisions and deeply earnest
in whatever enterprise he engaged in,
spoke kindly and encOuragingly to the
dog and proceeded down the river at a
more rapid pace. Vesuvius looked after
him a moment. as if doubtful in which
direction his duty lay. and then followed,
keeping close to the waters edge.
The singular request of lie Bland, to
have the whole affair of the pursuit OF
the Indians and the recovery of ROsal-
the committed exclusively to his hands,
had not been without its influence upon
Allan. 1t had aroused all his energies
and caused him to feel justly indignant
that the Frenchman's assurance should
extend 50 far. In consequence of this
feeling and the impression which Miss
Alston's beauty had made upon him, he
resolved to make every effort in his
power to unravel the mystery that now
hung over the fate Of the maiden.
He moved on like one in a dream.
Rosaithe was in danger. it is true; but
had not fortune so ordered it that he
should be her deliverer? Had he not
read of such things a hundred times in
books? He was young strong and dar-
ing: he would discover her, in position
of great danger. and save her, after
achieving unheard of exploits.
Daniel Boone. Simon Kenton or Joel
Logston would have reasoned rather diff
ferently and seen things in another light
unquestionably; but they could not have
drawn more vivid pictures than did AL
Ian.
When the mind is occupied with great
and hopeful subjects, time flies quickly
and an hour with Allan was such a
mere fragment that it passed unnoticed:
although during that period he had walk
ed several miles through a tract of coun-
try so delightful that it called up the
Idea Of another Eden. planted upon Ken
lucky river. Allan stopped. and leaning
upon his rife, contemplated the beauty
of the scene. A low, warning growl
from Vesuvius caused him to turn his
eyes in another direction. An Indian
efo
branches of fatriarchal oak Allan'$
first impulse was to cock his rifle; but
the Indian calmly pointed to his own,
which was reclining against the tree
within his reach. and the young man
felt assured that his intentions were not
hostile. The red man was the first to
speak.
Son of the paleface. fear not. Had
Otter-Lifter intended you harm, you
would have ceased to live already: for
his eye has been on you for long time"
said the Indian. i'll very good English
Il feel that the words Of the red man
are true replied Allan, adopting the
style of speaking characteristic Of the
Indian races.
Whence came you. and where do you
go?' asked Otter-Lifter.
Il am from Boonesborough," said Al
Ian. "One of cur young maidens has dis.
appeared from the FORT
The paleface is hunting for herr"
Yes"
And you suppose that some of my
people have stolen her away?"
That was my thought" replied AL
Ian.
OtterLifter looked searchingy at the
young hunter. and said:
Men who have red skins can tell
truth as well as those who have white.
IT one Of your inaidens has been car
rled away by any of our people, it is
something unknown to me-"
Allan could not help being struck with
the noble bearing of the Cherokee. He
had heard him spoken of by CAPTAIN
Boone as one who condemned and de.
splsed the cruelties of his race, and he
felt that he had good reason to congrat-
uiate himself that he had fallen in with
a chief so celebrated for his love of ms
tice and humanity.
Otter-Lifter was a remarkable man.
lie had raised himself to renown as a
warrior without ever having killed wom-
en- or children or prisoners His friend.
MS word and his rifle were all he cared
Tor. tie said the Great Spirit, when
he made all the rest of the animals.
created man to kill and eat them. lest
they should consume all the grass; that
to keep men from being proud he suf-
Iered them to die aso, or to kill one
another and make food for worms; that
iife and death were two warriors always
hghtlng. with which the Great Spirit
amused himself.
You are in danger here" added OF
ter-Llfter. Return to the big wigwam
or you will perish at the hands of my
warriors. Go, paleface, 60 in peace, and
tell your people that there is one among
the red nations that loves mercy"
You speak like a great chief" said
Allan: but how can l 60 back without
the maiden? Her friends are sad: all
hearts are heavy at the great FORT
"Otter-Lifter has spoken. He knows
nothing of the paleface maiden. Is it
not enough!' replied the Cherokee with
dignity.
1T is possible that some of your war
rlors have carried her away without your
knowledge" returned Allan.
Then they shall carry her back"
said the Cherokee grimly. II would
TAIN live In peace with the palefaces. al
though they are driving us from our
lands and destroying our glorious hunt
Ing grounds