Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-18


Of civilization have failed to silence an
Indians conscience, when accused by
Il sense Of injustice"
In spite Of himself Colonel Gray
was impressed. He had known the
speaker long and intimately, and he
lhad frequently said to himself that he
had rarely met man with a higher
sense Of honor than that possessed by
this redskin. Still, he firmly believed
that he was now impelled by mis-
taken idea.
"Tnjustice?" he repeated, scornfully
and sternly. "That is out Of place,
when dealing with such crime"
Your son Wallace has been guilty
o: no crime" said the Indian, in tones
of the most positive conviction. HE
is simply the victim of frightful in
heritance."
The colonel looked at him for an in
slant curlously, and then made a
gesture Of impatient incredulity.
"Frightful inheritance! Rubbish"
1T is true" persisted Swiftwind,
speaking in low, but emphatic tones,
feeling that he was now to have the
opportunity to say what he wished,
and at once taking advantage Of 1t.
Had Mary of Scotland been asked
why her son James trembled at the
sight Of a sword her inward voice
would have exclaimed 'Darnley!' Itell
you, Colonel Gray, there's many poor
soul fighting the evil suggestions Of
crime upon whom the fatal mark was
placed before he saw the light. De-
formities in body and mind have been
foreseen, criminals predicted and wo-
mans fall foreshadowed. Parental in
fuence is natures most awful law, and
your son is fulfilling his frightful des-
tiny. Mo-" raising his hand, as the
colonel essayed to interrupt, "let me
continue Years ago you received a
wound from a musket ball. This took
place in the presence Of your wife,
three months before your son was
bern
The colonel had been listening in
tently and now sank down in a chair,
vainly essaying to subdue the nervous
trembling which the Indians words
had caused him.
How do you know this?" he asked,
family.
From an old journal kept by your
wife, the sole remembrance your son
had Of his mother"
| go on, SIR" with an effort.
Need I say more. To the child
born came a nervous terror at the
sound Of firearms. But place him to-
day on the field Of battle, and he'll
show a courage equal to your own"
"And this sudden transformation?
Explain yourself" .,
1.-The wound from which he Is suf-
fering Is a counterpart Of the one re-
ceived by you. 1t has touched the
spine, relieved the nervous tension,
and released him from its bondage OF
terror That wound was wound Of
mercy from the hand of God!"
Had any of those who had been his
daily. companions for years seen the In
dian at that moment they would have
been filled with amazement, so fiery
were his tones, so impassioned his
gestures. His usually stolid counten-
ance was absolutely ablaze with ex-
citement. Indeed rarely. perhaps new
er before in his life had he felt him.
self so moved. There were two rea-
sons for this. In the first place, pre-
natal influences had been the subject
that had interested him more than any
other in his medical studies, and In the
second place, Wallace Gray was the
man he cared more for than any one
else on earth. Add to this, his firm
belief that an outrage was being COM
mitted, and 1t is little wonder that
skilled as he was in the suppression OF
all emotions, for once his nature was
stirred to the very depths and he al
lowed what he felt to be seen.
For a moment Colonel Gray sat
staring into blank space, and then
suddenly he threw up his head, and
rose to his feet.
mo, John!" he said in broken tones.
T cannot believe it. Your reasoning
is wild, it lacks common sense. At
any rate" he added. more firmly,
tightening his belt as the bugle call
rang out, I'VE have no more time to
discuss it. Report to your captain"
Swiftwind stretched out his hand
entreatingly.
'I have last request to make, COL
onel"
The colonel was rapidly recovering
his self-possession, and was evidently
in no mood for further parley.
"Out with 1t and be quick!" he an
swered abruptly and sharply.
Send me at once to General Crook"
was the quick response. "and let me
plead with him as have with you. AS
you are a soldier and a father" and
surely no more thrilling tones ever
rang out, for when a self-contained
man lets himself go, it is much more
stirring than the appeal from one Of
nature more easily affected. "As you
are a soldier and a father, give me
one chance to save your son!"
| But the colonel had reasoned the
matter out for himself. on false prem
ises perhaps, and was not to be NOV
ed. Swiftwind's theory had impressed
him at first, but now he was convinced
that 1t was absurd. His son had prov
ed himself a coward more than once,
and the facts must stand. This idea
that he had been influenced by Incl
dents before his birth was something
that the coloners matter-o of-fact bent
OF mind could not entertain.
Report for duty!" he commanded,
with an unrelenting frown.
Il beg of you-"
Report"
You refuse" exclaimed Swiftwind.
Strengthening himself up.
| Yes"
The Indian was revolted. He felt
he knew that he was right. Was this