The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1908-07-15
they were lank and stately.

Rejoicing In their hopes. he. too, had
not been without preparation. A rusty
knife found in a rubbish heap by the
river had been polished by thrusting
1t repeatedly into the dirt. In spare
moments he made himself sinew
backed bow aud practiced many hours
with it, He spent no time In the lean
to- His guard there had ceased. The
necessity for food did not take him to
the shack. His arrows brought down
game, which he cooked. At any time
with sharp stick he could root up his
I'll of wild turnips. He knew where
ripe berries loaded the bushes and
where the plums Redeemed in the thick
cts. And how could he chance stay
ing out of the stockade after midnight
when any dawn might find his broth
ers free?
Thoughts of Brown Mink alone took
his mind from his dream. He yearn-
ed to see her again. to mark how far
disease had ravaged, to show her that,
though all others were Indifferent, he
was not. And he had determined to
tell her farewell to tell her that he
would win back his lost rank. For
this he would even break his vow of
silence.
The end that he might gain her side
hinged upon two things-his reaching
her wickiup unseen and the absence of
the crone. These he hoped for now as
he peered from his corner
Despite the smudge he could see
whatever went on In the stockade, for
the sky was clear and the stars hung
low. Before long his patience was re-
warded by a gradual quieting about
the grouped wigwams. AS the smoke
thinned for lack of fuel the mosquitoes
| drove the braves to their beds. The
squaws dispersed to attend them. The
children. tired with play. struggled aft
er. The frightening night brought a
welcome GOODNESS with it. So a sentry
soon roared a command from the board
walk! Then the only hostage that was
left arose slowly. stretched himself and
disappeared.
| The dwindling pack were the last to
lie down. Some wolves were chal-
longing saucily from the coulee mouth.
walls. Finally the wolves took of up
the river, and the dogs scratched about
to find a moist spot and nestled down.
There was silence now except when a
cur, dreaming of the chase, yapped in
his troubled sleep.
SQuaw Charley crawled from under
the roof and along the high wall, be-
ing careful to mark the whereabouts
of the brave that was always on the
watch. Above him paced the sentries.
but these did not see him because he
kept in the shadow. Foot by foot he
went. making toward Brown Mink's
tent.
At last he was so near to 1t that,
reaching out his arm, he could touch
the base of a supporting pole. He
drew back then and squatted. his eyes
on the entrance. Thus upward Of an
hour went by. The time passed quick
| ly. for It was good to be near the be-
! loved!
Crouched within the shelter of the
skins was another who waited-the
bag. She was looking down the stock
ade through a narrow slit. When she
| judged that the sentries were growing
less vigilant she stood up. The out
cast heard the crack of her old Joints.
A moment and she stepped out
stealthily and scanned the rim of the
pen. Against the sky the figure of
each sentry was plainly outlined. None
was near, Softly she padded for the
lodge Of Standing Buffalo.
The pariah leaped up now and took
a swift step. But as his fingers closed
upon the edge Of the tent flap a whis-
pered summons made him pause and
glance around. There was whisper
ed reply, followed by steps as swift as
his own. He sank, rolling himself into
ball He was not a second too quick.
Authoritarian returned, with the
chief at her heel.
Again the outcast waited, and 1eal
ously. Those within also waited, for q
sentry was passing just above. Pres
emily he was gone, and Charley leaned
forward and put his ear against the
tent, when he heard the scratch of a
match.
1t did not light, and there was a