Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-22

 LNe ] Flow Woman l By ELEANOR CA TIES, Author of "The Biography of a Prairie Girl" COPYRIGHT, MCCLURE (, 9
By ELEANOR CAFES.

r of "The Biography of Prairie Gi,

answered the preacher simply. 'The
 Indians know me. I am their friend
 I have spent my life with them, taught
 them, advised, converted. What is all
 my labor worth, colonel, if cannot go
 among them in times of distress?'
 Worth this," said the colonel, "that
 you should know when to use your
 common sense. I tell you, you will
 meet with treachery. Friend or no
 friend, this year the Indians are hunt
 ing scalps."
 T put my trust in God" murmured
 David Bond.
 Don't put your trust in redskins"
 retorted Cummings grossly. Whereupon
 he tramped away.
 Waste of breath-nothing else," he ! declared to his wife. I'm clean put
 out with the old fellow He's daft on going. Now, why doesn't he stay here instead of sticking his throat to the knife? There's plenty to do; but, no, off he must rush on a wild goose chase Well, he'll have one, mark that! He's either ripe for an insane asylum or he's a religious adventurer-and I'm hanged If know which!'
 It was the buster that covers an aching wound; that is a vent for out ragged helplessness. And David Bond understood.
 When he asked leave to address the stockade the commanding officer will ingly consented. The attitude of the hostages on that occasion startled and disturbed the whole post, for the evan gelist might as well have harangued the cottonwood grove across the river. He asked the braves for messages to their brothers By way of reply they got up one after the other from where he had found them grouped in the sun before the council tent and strolled in- solently to their lodges. Soon he was discoursing to empty space and to line of squaws who threw him malig- nant glances and jeered at him. He left, surprised, saddened, but unshaken
 Impudence, bold hatred and defiance these were following the smoke from Medicine mountain. They formed a cue that pointed to one fact-the pris- oners were disappointed. They had been expecting not peace and reserva- tion life, but freedom and battle.
 David Bond felt double need for his quick departure and his services among the gathering war bands. He hastened his few remaining tasks and set the day for the start. Now the day was come. His farewells had been said at the shack and at headquarters. Breakfast over and Shadrach put to the shafts, he would take his way up the river. But first there must be laid | upon Squaw Charley a final and sol emn charge.
 The prayer finished. he put out hand and touched the Indian. Then he opened his tear blurred eyes and look ed at him. his face softening and work Ing. Squaw Charley did not bndge. His palms were still pressed tight. He Dlinked at the wagon bed.
 Charles" said the evangelist ear lestly. you and love the little family over wonder. They nave been good and kind. l want you to watch over 'hem while l am gone and be faithful 10 them. The father is crippled and weak, and he has no friends. Charles, Tou must be friend to him and to the girls. No matter what happens, do not ail them. There will be another guard ng. Guard with him. Something may all him away. Some one may kill Jim. Take his place. If danger comes ell of it at the fort. Do you promise, 'harles? Do you promise?" He lean. d forward. entreating.
 The outcast moved from side to side  Promise. promiser' said David Bond. You must give up anything