Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-08

| ed: We are going to the old man of l the woods
 But though she met with only frown-
 ing silence when she asked definite I questions, he was considerate of her l physical comfort. He had brought an
 extra cushion and heavy blanket, and, arranging them in the bottom of the | boat, bade her lie down But she de- l clined, sitting bolt upright, with a
 tense look of alarm that seemed to touch
 her companions pity. He murmured now and then a phrase in his own tongue that gave her encouragement and cheer, though in the words themselves lay no meaning.
 When at last the land was low and swampy, and the horizon serrated with tamaracks, the Indian turned the boat | shoreward. A cold breeze sprang as the sun sank. The girl, crouching de- spondent over the boats edge, shiv- cred. To her the river was gloomy enough; the land worse-that gray
 land darkening now with twilight
 shadows where all nameless evils
 might turk, brooded over by gaunt
 tamaracks and starless sky
 At the sound of sand against the keel,
 she gave nervous scream Owatoga
 rose, extending hand to help her,
 but she sank back, overcome at last,
 her frame convulsed with a strong. sobbing
 Her companion stood motionless-
 perplexity and distress on his dark
 face. Then he crept softly to his
 knees beside her, and his voice-usu-
 ally gruff and harsh-was softened by
 pity and affection. "The white maiden
 must not weep; she will be safe-the Great Spirit hears Owatoga swear it.
 The old man is good; he will be kind
 to her."
 These and more disjointed sentences he kept repeating in time to the sooth- ing lap of waves that rocked the canoe. The tears seemed to relieve her over charged heart. Owatogas words and manner, too had effect With mien almost tranquil, she rose and sat on the bank, while he disposed of the canoe in a nearby cove. She even laughed little when he set about preparation for supper. He had brought in his game bag some cold cornbread and scraps of dried venison. Eat" he commanded, and spread them before her. A flask of elderberry wine com pleted this unique feast, which, laid on the ground, with plantain leaves for vessels, and this tawny savage for cup bearer, was unreal, fantastic. It was dark when they finished the meal to which Lavender brought the appetite which, in youth, follows fasting, in spite of grief or care.
 With the darkness came a creepy feeling. Tt is night, Owatoga," she said. simply, but there was world of dismay and reproach in her tone.
 The reply came promptly. We will soon be with the old man. See." and he led her to little opening in the grove. She followed the direction of his finger, but at first could see nothing. Before them lay few yards of muddy, weed-grown soil; at its farther edge Q rise of ground covered with thick growth of scrub oaks and sumach. Finally in the semi-darkness, she dis oerned a dark blue reek of smoke curl, ing at the base of the hill; then . faint light, and the outlines of cabin or rude shack. She gave a gasp of pleasure; here was light and fire here was hearth-a home!
 Owatoga gave a grunt of triumph. 'There is the hut of the old man of the woods-let us go." From the lee- ward they approached. "The old man has a nose like the deer" Owatoga whispered, as they slipped quietly over the boggy ground to the hut-a half faced cabin of the rudest construc- tion.
 The roof which sloped from front to back, was of skins stretched on stakes, and fastened to a large log at the base of the hill. The front was uninclosed, and before 1t smouldered low fire. Upon this man, rising from the background, threw an armful of fagots. which, as they blazed, re- vealed the interior. Picturesque, primeval 1t looked in the fitful light, the moss depending from cracks in the sides: the skins scattered about; the bed of leaves in the corner.
 And for the man himself, this was a fit setting. He stood, both hands be- i hind him. gazing at the fire. Of ath- | letic proportions. a giant in stature, l only the scanned brow and snow-white ! hair told of the storm and stress of years. He was dressed in the shirt, l leggings and moccasins of the hunter. 1 A cap of skins was pushed far back | from his forehead. as though giving | free range to the wary eyes.
 Instinct seemed to warn him of the 1 presence of strangers. for he listened | for a moment. looking askance | Into the thicket near; then backed slowly to where his rife rested against 3 tree. Suddenly the girl watching him started as the Indian, who was l close at her side. gave cry, shrill and sharp, like the boot of an owl. The man by the fire brought the gun to his shoulder. and the gleaming barrel was aimed directly at the spot where they stood in the darkness.
 "Wait-stay here" her guide com manded. and alone he stalked boldly | forward, repeating the owls cry-this