Lewiston evening teller., 1908-01-08

By ELEANOR GATES,
exRrcrrr. lpuA BIZ rsecluRa PHILLPs 2 cosaPAlsY
Author OF s.The Bioeraphy Of 8 Prairie Cir

the Dakotas, who was ever strongest
In times of war?
Hurriedly Squaw Charley got to bis
feet and ran to the edge OF the bank,
where there were climbing lengths Of
grapevine. Degraded. he might not use
tobacco for a rite. But the great spirit
would understand. In the dark his
hands felt for and found dry stalk.
He snapped of finger length of 1t.
A second to take flint and steel from
his buckskin pouch. Another to light
the bit Of vine. Then
But he did not sit upon the ground
with crossed legs. Neither did he pull
upon the vine He let it go out instead.
And sank hesitatingly to his knees,
for, again, be had remembered!
David Bond had said: "The red
mans god is poor and stingy. He let's
his people want and starve. He let's
enemies triumph over them and de-
stroy. But the God Of the white man
! Is rich and good. See how generously
he gives to those who serve him! Yet,
lest you anger him. have none other
because he is a Jealous Gody'
He might not pray to either theni
He lifted despairing eyes and saw
above him, divinely luminous, that
sacred path, glittering white with the
Fastening spirits Of the dead.
! He put ragged sleeve across his
eyes to shut out the sight. 1t brought
q picture he longed to forget--the ter
rible picture Of his downfall
1t was spring day, and the INCA
papas, to make ready for battle. were
| dancing the great sun dance. He was
the chief Moon Dog then. naughty as
any, brave as the next, given to war
fare and the shedding Of blood. In
the great tent 1t was he who led
i He was naked save for loin cloth.
Coup sticks were braided in his hair.
Eagle feathers trailed from his scalp
lock. The skin OF his body was hidden
beneath devices.
| He signified wish to suffer wound.
ing. to have willow wands run through
the flesh Of his back Standing Buffalo
was dancing beside him. and 1t was
that warriors knife which leaped from
its beaded sheath to do the cutting.
And then the wounds weakened the
chief Moon Dog. The wands tore his
flesh past all power to endure, and be
knew nothing, but when the squaws
brought him to life again they told hin
that. like squaw, he had pleaded fol
mercy and weptl
For this he was branded, spat upon
cast out and cursed. For this he ha(
gone hungry, secured kettles and herd
ed with the dogs.
David Bond had come. telling him oI
one who was bruised, reviled and
nailed to tree. That one was th.
God OF the white man. Broken Ii
spirit. Squaw Charley had accepteC
him. rs
Yet-what had the new God done 70
himf Was his work lighter? No
Was the food not the castoff's still
fouled by the touch and the tongue
Of others and by the dirt Of the pen
Yes. If the new God was good, wh.
had he not saved the eyangelist2
. The soul of Squaw Charley tottered.
, Hark!
Overhead high sailing crane bu
, Rled But to che outcast the lonel
!, night cry seemed supernatural. hai
! from one OF the departed.
! He uncovered his eyes and looke
: up. Above him stretched the pals
shining ribbon Of the Milky Way
q Again the crane sounded its rousinl
! cultural cry. He shook himself as
|. to free his body from chain.
. Once more he took out flint an
= steel ano lit the bit of grapevine. The
I he sank 70 the prairie. where he cross
! ed his legs like brave. Now wit
!. deep breath he drew upon the steu
! His nostrils filed. he tipped back b
+ head and from them. upward to u
! path. sent wreath upon wreath {
= adoring smoke.
,e ITO Be Continued.)