Iron County register., 1907-01-31

rose, extending nauQ 10 nelp neT, |
but she sank back, overcome at last
her frame convuIsed 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
c. Zoe in q nearby cove. She even
, ,Aughed 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 a creepy
feeling, 'It 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 opening in the
grove. She followed the direction Of
his finger, but at first could see nothing.
Before them lay a few yards of muddy
weed-grown soil; at its farther edge
a rise of ground covered with thick
growth of scrub oaks and sumach.
| rfnalyv In the semi-darkness, she dis
cerned dark blue reek of smoke curl
ing at the base of the hill; then a
faint light, and the outlines of cabin
or rude shack. She gave a gasp Of
pleasure; here was light and fire
here was a hearth-a home!
Owatoga gave grunt Of triumph.
eth ere is the hut Of the old man Of
the woods-let us CO." From the lee
wafd they approached. "The old man
has a nose like the deer" Owatoga
whispered, as they slipped quietly over
the boggy ground to the hut-a half
faced cabin of the rudest construc-
tion.
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
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 f1tful 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 a
fit setting. He stood, both hands be-
hind him, gazing at the fire. OF ath-
letic proportions, giant In stature
only the scanned brow and snow-white
hair told Of the storm and stress oi
years. He was dressed in the shirt
leggings and moccasns 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 agains
tree. Suddenly the girl watching
him started as the Indian, who wa:
close at her side, gave a cry, shrill ant
sharp, like the hoot Of an owl. Th'
man by the fire brought the gun tt
, his shoulder, and the cleaning barre
was aimed directly at the spot where
they stood in the darkness.
"Wait-stay here" her guide com
manded, and alone he stalked boldl!
forward, repeating the owls cry-thi
+, time with peculiar intonation. Th
hunter at once relaxed his alarmed at
titude, and, resting easily on hi
rifle, returned the signal, and stoot
apparently awaiting Owatoga's ap
proach.
B, the glow of the campfire Laven
de- could see the meeting of the two
! n. Both were tall, both seeming Of al
.ee, save for the Indians raven hair
: and the others white as the heron
wing. Both dark-one with the bloot
> of an alien race, the other with NOR
than half century Of forest sun an
snow.
For p few moments they talked, thel
Owatoga returned. "The old NAL
waits fer you," he said, and, signini
her to follow, led the way to the fire
From out its circle the hunter steppe
? and extended his hand, as the girl wen
timiGly up to him. His voice and man
ner were full of hospitable intent, an
with the simple words: "You are wei
come, girl" he brought low stoc
;, near the fire, yet out Of its light.
Though Lavender had dreaded meet
ing this stranger, she found it--in n
calm strength of his presence-easy t
talk, and in a few words told he
story Nov, sir, you know why upo
/. you Is thrust the shelter Of q helples
!, woman" The old man laughed low
"Owatoga tells me he would not hay