Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-11-14

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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. Owatoga's 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 CON-
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. 1T is night Owatoga," she
said, simply, but there was world
of dismay and reproach In her Tone
The reply came promptly. eve will
soon be with the old man. See," and
he led her to little ope1sag 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 it's farther edge
a rise Of ground covered with Ahick
growth Of scrub oaks and suniach.
Finally in the semi-darkness, she dis
cerned dark blue reek of smoke cu7l-
ing at the base of the hill; then u
faint light, and the outlines of a cabin
or rude shack. She gave 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 CO." From the lee
ward they approached. ''The old man;
has a nose like the deer" Owatoga
whispered, as they slipped quietly over.
the Doggy ground to the hut-a half:
faced cabin of the rudest construc-.
ton.
The roof, which sloped from 'front.'
to back, was of skins stretched on
stakes, and fastened to large log at
the base of the hill. The front was
and before it sHnouldered
a low fire. Upon this man, rising
from the background, threw an armful
of fagots, which, as they hazed, re-
vealed the interior. Picturesque,
primeval it looked in the ftful 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
hind him, gazing at the fire. Of ath-
letic proportions, a giant in stature;
only the scanned brow and snow-white
hair told of the storm and stress OF
years. He was dressed in the shirt,
leggings and moccasins of the hunter.
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
presence of strangers, for he listened
for a moment, looking askance
into the thicket near; then backed
slowly to where his rife rested against
a tree. Suddenly the girl watching
him started as the Indian, who was
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 cleaning barrel
was aimed directly at the spot where
they stood in the darkness.
"Wait-stay here" her guide com.
forward, repeating the owls cry-thi1
time with peculiar intonation. TEa
hunter at once relaxed his alarmed az
titude, and, resting easily on his
rifle, returned the signal, and stood
apparently awaiting Owatoga's ap-
Lroach.
By the glow of the campfire Laven-
der could see the meeting of the two
men. Both were tall, both seeming of an
age, save for the Indians raven hair,
and the others white as the heion's
wing. Both dark-one with the blood
of an alien race, the other with more
than half century Of forest sun and
snow.
For few moments they talked, then
Owatoga returned. "The old man
waits for you," he said, and, signing
her to follow, led the way to the fire.
From out it's circle the hunter stepped
and extended his hand, as the girl went
timidly up to him. His voice and man
ner were full of hospitable intent, and
with the simple words: you are well
come, girl" he brought low stool
near the fire, yet out Of it's light.
Though Lavender had dreaded meet
ing this stranger, she found tin the
calm strength of his presence-easy to
talk, and in a few words told her
story. ''Now, sir, you know why upon
you is thrust the shelter of helpless
woman" The old man laughed low.
"Owatoga tells me he would not have
you the 'squaw of the yellow man.
And tell me, will you, who is this 'yel-