Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-12-16

But, better than all else. there kind
ly face always smiled greeting.
The blanket piled so high with chips
that its weight balanced the grain
sack, he prepared to start riverward.
But first, prompted by an old habit,
he climbed to high point of bluff
near by and standing where lookouts
had maintained post before severe
weather compelled their withdrawal
carefully scanned the white horizon.
To the west, from where-the band in
the stockade boasted-warriors of their
tribe would come in the spring to
make q rescue; to the north, on either
side of the ice bound Missouri; to the
east, in the wide gap between the dis
tant ranges of hills, he saw no crea-
ture moving But facing southwark,
his hands shading his eyes carefully
from the glare. he spied on the eastern
bank, and at not q great distance. the
approach of familiar milk white
horse drawing a heavy pung.
The STOPPING pariah was transform
ed by the sight He threw up his arms
with an inarticulate cry and sprang
away down the slope to his sack and
blanket. SEEKING them he made for
the level ground north OF the barracks,
descended to the ice. swiftly crossed
and dragged the fuel up to the cotton
woods. Then he started down the riv-
er, taking long leaps.
The upper part Of the ilnprovised
sleigh that was fitting Its way across
the drifts like skiff on angry water
was the green box of an ordinary
farm wagon set on runners. The
wheels of the vehicle lay on some hay
In the rear of the box. On the broad
wooden seat was man, facing rear
ward to get the wind at his back. He
was almost concealed by quilts, his
arms being wrapped close to his body.
and the milk white horse was taking
his leisurely way unguided. Above
the man. and nailed so loosely to the
wagon seat that it wavered from side
to side and kept up a squeaking, was
q tall board cross, rude and implanted.
When he came close to the sleigh
Squaw Charley caught the sound Of
singing and stopped. The traveller was
comforting his lonely way with sa-
cred hymn, the words Of which, scat
tered by the wind, reached the Indian
| IN broken but martial phrases:
/ Onward. Christian soldiers
| Marching war,
-" the cross Of Jesus
on before"
Again Squaw Charley spurred him
self into long leaps. And behind Shan
ty Town, on the open prairie, he
, brought the horse to q halt
Once more he gave his wordless cry
4 Ia cry like the shrill hail of mute,
/ It brought the man face about. An
other second. answering. he stood up.
shook off the quilts to free his arms.
reached down and caught the pariah
! to his breast.
Tall and spare he was and aged.
Over his shoulders flowed long white
hair. A beard as white fell to his
waist. His sharp eyes were shaded
BY heavy brows. He wore coat OF
coarse cloth that touched his feet, and
about his head was wound a nubia.
/ AS with face appraised he embraced
the Indian he was a stately, venerable
figure.
"God be praisedv' he said over and
over. Then he held Squaw Charley
away from him for a moment to look
him up and down. Il feared some
harm had come to you-that your peo-
pie had behaved so cruelty to you that
you had died. But you are well. Yet
how thin! All, am so glad to see you
once more"
He held him close again, murmur-
ing a blessing. When he released him
1t was to make room for him on the
seat and wrap him up in thick, soft
quilt. All the while the benevolent
old face was shining with happiness
and tears were streaming down the
wrinkled cheeks.
Squaw Charley, too, was overcome
His black eyes were no longer sad and
lowered. They glowed softly, almost
adoringly, as he watched his friend.
David Bond had not forgotten you
Charles" the old man said as he cluck
ed to the white horse. 81 was al
Dodge City-that wickedest town g.
the plains-when news came of the
capture of your village. At once
started, for l knew that my duty lay
here-here with your poor people, whC
will not realize how foolish and puny
is their warfare. did not come alone,
he added, casting look behind
"a white man accompanied me-a maj
, so full of evil and blasphemy that
GMIN