The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-11-30
"Then he knows nothing of this?"

l
The Indian shook his head. HE cal
trust Owatoga." And this was the bur
den of his speech, and it vaguely cheeret
her.
Later she ventured the question
Shall we not land soon?" "At thu
swamp where grow the tamaracks.
She shivered at the gloomy prospect
which was not relieved when he add
ed: 1--WE are going to the old man o.
the woods
But though she met with only frown
ing silence when she asked definite
questions, he was considerable of hel
physical comfort. He had brought al
extra cushion and a heavy blanket, and
arranging them in the bottom of the
boat, babe her lie down. But she de-
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 a 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. 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 a 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. 1t 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 creepy
feeling. ut is night, Owatoga," she
said, simply, but there was world
of dismay and reproach in her tone.
The reply came promptly. 1--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
a rise of ground covered with thick
growth of scrub oaks and sumach.
Finally in the semi-darkness, she dis
cerned 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 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 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
uninclosed, and before 1t smouldered
a low fire. Upon this man. rising
from the background, threw an armful
of fagots, which, as they blazed, re-
vealed the interior. Picturesque,
primeval it 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
fit setting. He stood, both hands be-
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
intently for a moment, looking askance
into the thicket near; then backed
slowly to where his rifle rested against