The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1907-11-01

& THE TRADING OF WALKING MOOSE.
~ ~ + #s8y8~s#####
BY THEODORE ROBERTS.

at the edge of the clearing, a rough
shelter was built, and the valuable
furs were placed under cover. In
silence the two ate their meal of penn
mican, uncheered by tea, uncrowned
by the comforting pipe-and for weeks
they had looked forward to those
simple Injuries.
Early the next morning Walking
Moose climbed to the summit of hill
behind the post and gazed southwark.
Dark woods and white plains stretched
away for miles; but not sign of the
tardy agent was to be seen. Return
ing to the clearing, he discovered his
wife at one Of the windows Of the
store, her face pressed against the
parchment that served for glass. He
pushed her aside roughly; then, I'M
able to withstand the temptation, he
took her place and peered into the
dusky treasure-house.
There hung shirts Of red flannel
and blue; gaudy blanketings; wooden
stockings of many hues, with dang
ling tassels; and here and there he
caught the CLEANS from canisters of
tobacco and tea. At one end of the
dusty counter stood little kegs of
gun-powder and leaden bullets. And
as he searched for other treasures
with longing eyes, he caught the shad-
ows of the squaw's face against the
window in the opposite wall of the
store At that he turned away and
called to her angEily. But pity for
the woman who had worked so we'll
and cheerfully through all that long
winter ached in his breast.
Mcleod did not arrive at the post
that day. Neither did he appear on
the next. Walking Moose haunted
the store, sometimes lingering his
empty tobacco-pipe, sometimes contem-
plating his empty musket The squaw
worked listlessly at the dressing of
a moose hide, sitting for hours before
their rough shelter without saying
word or lifting her eyes. A thou
sand swollen streams broke their
letters of ice, and the beavers swan
up from their winter retreats.
Me go get Mcleod" said Walking
Moose on the morning of the third
day after their arrival at Alexander's
Hope, and you stay with the skins
and the dogs"
The woman looked up at him pite-
ously. She was a good squaw and
young-and her eyes were large and
bright.
Yes me go" repeated the hunter,
firmly Three days to st. Johns, and
three days back-and you take care
Of the skins He glanced about him
uneasily, high and low to right and
left-anywhere but at the woman.
Me travel fast all alone" he add
ed.
A few minutes later he set out on
the three days journey to the south
ward, with snow-shoes on his feet,
pouchful of dried meat at his side,
and his useless frearm on his shout.
der.
The dogs ran after him, but were
called back by the squaw.
Walking Moose travelled stolidly for
ten miles The sun was bright and
warm, the snow was wet, and on all
sides rose the brawling of freed wat
ers. A flock of geese went over his
head, flying high. AT the sound of
their eerie cries, short and harsh, but
eloquent of the beauty of companion
ship and freedom he halted and gazed
up at them He felt then, perhaps
for the first time, something Of the
awful loneliness of the vilds.
Mcleod and the big fort seemed
to be a whole worlds length away;
but behind him, at the end of the
trail LOT his snow-shoes, were a woman