Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-01
~who is to nave tie: women Z,

"Who is to have the S0meii?"
Canada John scratched his nose.
1.-THE medicine giyer says. He that
first reaches Them"
Big Ok shook his head In doubt
"The swiftest may yet faillto keep"
! SHOULD any pursue. the women will
be killed. The soldiers will think
them bit by rattlesnakes."
Again Big Ok burst forthwith laugh
ter.
}. "Shr'
A hammer clicked from the stockade
top. A sentry began to bawl angrily.
"Git, you pup eaters," he declared
and slanted his gun to them. Casting
dignity aside, they ducked into the
nearest lodge.
Squaw Charley dragged himself back
to the shingle roof. There he fell
prone, resting his forehead against the
ribs of dog. The strength was gone
from his body. the light from his eyes.
The wind of that others nostrils had
blasted him. He was like the scatter
ing ash heaps of the evening smudges
where the last bit Of fuel was crum-
bled and the last red coal was dead.
Long he stayed upon his face. When
the first numbness was past and his
brain was rallying slowly a very
scourge of sorrow visited him-sorrow
for the fate of the shack, where he had
warmed himself so often, relieved his
hunger and known a kindly smile.
With sorrow came remorse. He had
not done his part for the little home
He had not guarded as he ought. And
he had helped by bringing rattlesnakes
which he had been told were to be
used for medicine-in the plot for its
destruction. When sorrow and re
morse had their turn a stronger pas
sion gnawed and racked him. 1t was
the yearning for reinstatement.
Dwelling upon this, he became two
indians, and one of him opposed the
other. They travelled separate trail:
trails that bent different ways, like
the horns of buffalo. The trail TO the
right was a warpath. 1t led him be
hind his brothers, through the hole il
the stockSde. For awhile he loitered
loath to share in the work on thu
bend Afterward he joined them
They were free and crazy with theil
freedom. He matched his strength
with theirs, dared where they faltered
| won-won-
But there was no hope for the Plov
Woman!
He was back on the other trail, ant
| 1t led to the gallery where Oiver'
hammock swung. The outcast made
| swift motions with his hands. H,
was hustled along with the guard
| The sliding panel opened. The ten
flaps of Brown Mink's lodge were lift
ed. He was caught In mad onrush
He was howled at, spat upon. Final
| ly. bruised, exiled traitor, more de
spised, if possible, than before, h
| fed skulking away.
And here was no hope for his honor
He was back at the parting Of tn,
trails, one man again, helpless before
the knowledge. that safety for tn,
shack meant the wiping out foreve
of his dream of becoming a brave.
! OF sudden he remembered DAVE
Bond. He got feebly to his knees
covering his face from the dogs. TIL,
evangelist had laid charge upol
him-no matter what came, he was t
think first Of the shack. He had &C
Icepted 1t before he knew 1t woult
clash with his own purpose. Was h,
held to the promise now? David Bone
was dead. If he were not obeyed, b.
could never come back to punish.
He found himself upon his feet, lis
] tening. Across the stockade he saw
the glewworms Of the scattered pipe
dancing in the dark. But momen
later. when flashes lit up the huge pen
the hostages were sitting as before
their faces lowered moodily.
Still he listened. And it came again
from the direction Of the river-th
long, sad cooling call of dove.