Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-02-21


or anybody else-to-morrow?"
Lavender uttered q little scream. Of
dismay. looking from one to the other
fearfully.
Boone continued: "He could, had he
chosen, come out best in that argu-
ment, child. If 1t hadn't been for his
quick eye and hand, the woods would
never again have echoed to this gun,
and that red devil yonder would have
had another scalp at his b~elt-another
life on his soul"
Lavender was silent, awe-struck, and
for a space nobody spoke.
To break the spell which threatened
to maj the time, Boone said: "See the
new moon! Let's made q WISH"
And all three turned from the fire.
light to see the crescent moon that,
like a silver cradle, rocked a star.
After a pause, Boone asked: What
did we all wish?"
81 can guess yours, colonel" Laven-
der said. at was for good weather, or
full traps. or perhaps that the Indians
would let US alone"
"No, my girl, no. I am Indifferent
to weather; l am too old a hunter to
set traps this time Of year, and as for
the Indians, well, Dan Boone has yet
to worry about them. No, mine was
the old, old story-a wish for my
land, my title. For you must KNOW"
he added in explanation, that !
have long coveted more Of Mother
Earth than the bare six feet which
all men claim"
This was followed by a hush, which
the host broke again: yours was
something sentimental, no doubt?"
Lavender shook her head. mo,
couldn't think of a triling wish
something which did not matter-so-
SO 1 didn't wish at all. The real heart
desires, things I want very much-no,
l wouldn't trust them to a goddess so
capricious."
Winslow smiled at her fancy-her
manner, half serious, half jesting.
." see you have imbibed some of
Americas supersititons. Now, I, on
the contrary, have trusted to the
moons tickle care a grave responsible
ity, the desire on which my whole
life turns"
His meaning tone made Lavender
tremble with an odd, confused joy.
The old man chuckled.
In the embarrassed calm which fol-
lowed, Owatoga emerged from the hui
where he had been caring for the
wounded savage, and with a few strides
Joined the group. In his manner was
a suggestion of repressed excitement
There was a glitter in the fathomless
eyes.
"Owatoga has something to tell" re-
marked Winslow. "Let us hear 1t
friend"
But the guide beckoned him mystic
riously apart, and they conferred to-
gether.
Winslow returned soon, and, with al
apology to Lavender, spoke into thu
private ear of his host.
Boone's first involuntary start be
trayed d1smay.
what is the matter? Tell me-" de
manded the girl.
The three men exchanged glances
"Tell her." said Owatoga. "The whit
maid is no papoose to fear the pain
and feathers"
"He is right" Boone agreed. Ssh
may as we'll know now. 1t may b
only a false alarm. I must see thi
redskin, and find out the truth -
possible" he added, meaningly. "In
dams have lied before" With a cyni
cal smile that was half a frown, b,
went to the hut where back in tn,
semi-darkness lay the wounded say
age, like a wolf in his den, nothing
seen but the fierce and glazing eyes.
: Meanwhile Owatoga stood at tn
! edge of the small clearing, his ey'
! intent upon the thicket.
l Winslow moved close to Lavender a
! he said: "Owatoga says that a part,
> of Usage Indians have planned to at
tack Col. Boone's cabin tonight. The,
do not know of the presence of tn
rest of us, but are sure they hav
trapped the old man at last"
"And how did Owatoga learn this?
| asked Lavender, and her voice wa
low and steady.
! Through this wounded man; he wa
! to have been one Of the att&ckini
) party"
"And why does he betray the de
sign?"
For two reasons; he has discoyere,
! in Owatoga one Of his own tribe, an
well, he fancies himself in som
sense indebted to me-"
Then, seeing that she still looke'
puzzled: II might have killed him thi
afternoon, you know" :
Here Boone Joined them. "W'
s must lose no time. l am pretty sur
he is speaking the truth. There seem
: no gain to him in warning us. w
c will leave him here. He says the red
skins may come at any time, but
i will most likely be after midnight
He will detain them as long as he ca.
4 to give us a chance to get away"
t Before they left, Winslow bent owe
i the wounded Indian with a word Q
farewell, to which he had for an
swer: eyes, Menoka will live, and b
0 will remember that n white breas
Y had a heart In It,"
Silently the party stole from tn
camp.
ITO the north" was Boone's whis
K pered command, and soon the fores
}. hid them in friendly gloom.
From Menoka they had learned tina
the attack would be from the rivel