Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-27

ing out of the stockade after midnight when any dawn might find his broth CTS free?
 Thoughts of Brown Mink alone took his mind from his dream. He yearn- ed to see her again, to mark how far disease had ravaged, to show her that, though all others were indifferent, he was not. And he had determined to tell her farewell, to tell her that he would win back his lost rank. For this he would even break his VOW of silence
 The end that he might gain her side hinged upon two things-his reaching, her wickiup unseen and the absence of the crone. These he hoped for now as he peered from his corner. Despite the smudge he could see whatever went on in the stockade, for the sky was clear and the stars hung low. Before long his patience was re- warded by a gradual quieting about the grouped wigwams. AS the smoke thinned for lack of fuel the mosquitoes drove the braves to their beds. The squaws dispersed to attend them. The children, tired with play, struggled aft CT The lengthening night brought a welcome coolness with it. So sentry soon roared a command from the board walk. Then the only hostage that was left arose slowly, stretched himself and disappeared.
 The dwindling pack were the last to lie down. Some wolves were chal- lenging saucily from the coulee mouth. The dogs answered them in long drawn walls. Finally the wolves took off up the river, and the dogs scratched about to find a moist spot and nestled down. There was silence now except when a cur, dreaming of the chase, yapped in his troubled sleep.
 Squaw Charley crawled from under the roof and along the high wall, be- ing careful to mark the whereabouts of the brave that was always on the watch. Above him paced the sentries, but these didcnot see him because he kept in the shadow. Foot by foot he went, making toward Brown Mink's tent.
 At last he was so near to 1t that, reaching out his arm, he could touch the base of supporting pole. He drew back then and squatted, his eyes on the entrance Thus upward of an hour went by. The time passed quick ly, for it was good to be near the be- loved!
 Crouched within the shelter of the skins was another who waited-the bag. She was looking down the stock ade through narrow slit. When she judged that the sentries were growing less vigilant she stood up. The out cast heard the crack of her old joints. A moment and she stepped out stealthily and scanned the rim of the pen. Against the sky the figure of each sentry was plainly outlined. None was near. Softly she padded for the lodge of Standing Buffalo.
 The pariah leaped up now and took swift step. But as his fingers closed upon the edge of the tent flap a whis- pered summons made him pause and glance around. There was a whisper ed reply, followed by steps as swift as his own. He sank. rolling himself into ball. He was not a second too quick. Afraid-of- Pawn returned, with the chief at her heel.
 Again the outcast waited, and jeal- ously. Those within also waited, for a sentry was passing just above. Pres ently he was gone. and Charley leaned forward and put his ear against the tent, when he heard the scratch of match.
 It did not light. and there was a teasing laugh. The outcast sat up like startled gopher. one hand to his breast, one out before him. Again a scratch. A tiny flame fiickered. Too amazed for fear. Charley put his eye to the slit
 Both hands came up to drive back a cry. At the rear of the wickiup the skins were pulled aside to reveal the stockade wall. Of this two logs show ed-hollowed out so completely at the base that they were mere shells!
 Before these logs. all kneeling, were the bag. Standing Buffalo and Brown Mink. The chief held the match. the old woman a knife: the girl was empty handed. But she was not ill. not vast ed. not dying. She was full figured. Her face was round Her cheeks and lips were as bright as the dab of paint at the part in her hair. as crimson with health as a gorgeous cactus flower.
 The match went out. Squaw Charley dropped back to the walls shadow. His heart was pounding madly with a tuofosd joy. The hacked logs assured freedom for his brothers. for himself. fighting and rank. And she was stil to be w01l
 The work Is over." said a mans voice.
 -And when cones the call oE q dovey- asked a mails
 -Pghaus wien the noon dies-
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