Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-05-23

pdny store. IL was ldte when inc
Breed returned to his fire and the fac.
tor showed Philip the bunk he was TO
sleep in. After Cockburn had gone
Philip sat up, waiting for Jean.
1t was midnight when Pierrot came
in.
"They refuse, M'sieur," he said.
Philip stared at the strange pallor
and the hollow lines in Jeans face.
They refuse" repeated Pierrot.
breathing deeply. ~ saw Maballa, and
she took me by the hand. M'sieur, and
led me into the tepee where Sakimay
was lying upon his back. They be-
came man and Neutrality-suspicious.
ing to their law. gave them your
message. told them what would hap
pen tomorrow. and Sakinay called the
others in SO that they might hear.
There are only eleven who can fight
and to a man they shook their heads
when Sakimay said he would give him.
self up to the White Chief, IL it was
their will. They are poorly armed.
They know what will happen. But
they are brave, though they are not a
people Of God. They are ready to die.
Msieur Sakimay and Maballa send
you their thanks and their love. And
Maballa sends you this!"
Jeans voice choked him as he drew
folded bit Of buckskin from his
pocket. He unwrapped it and there
rippled down from between his fingers
a long. shining tress Of hair. He held
1t above his waist and 1t swept the
floor. His eyes shone softly and his
hand trembled as he gave 1t to Philip
ut is beautiful" breathed Philip
wonderingly. as the softness of Il
touched his fingers. But dom
understand"
"M'sieur," cried Jean. bending for
ward. this is the greatest thing tina
a Sarcee maiden can give to man
next to her love. In the old day!
when the Sarcees were a powerful
tribe II girl asked the favor Of maj
by word of mouth only, he could gran
1t or not, as he wished, but if she CAV,
him tress Of her hair 1t bound hin
even to death in her service. To re
fuse her then. IL there was no dishono
in her request, would be the same a
you refusing assistance to a whit
woman pleading for help In the hand
OF ruff1ans. Maballa sends her praye
to you. 1t is that you have her an
Sakimay taken to their old home II
the Swan River country, and burie
therein one grave. 1t is her las
confession that she has no God, an
that she will die a pagan. with SAX
may" Jean bowed his head. wi
you do this. Msieurf"
He started as he felt the soft crus
of Maballa's hair against his hand
His eyes met Philips.
This is yours, jean" said Phil
gently. Cant you understand? NJ;
balla sent 1t to me-and intended
for you. 1t is yours and I will hel
you to carry them back to their oil
home-if they die"
You think she meant this-fo
me?"
, Philip laughed and gripped Jean
hand.
my poor Pierrot. are you blind?"
With joyous cry Jean pressed tn
silken tress to his lips
Then she has given to me-to me
something" he said TT is next
that which she has given to him" H
turned toward the door and stoppe,
Q In the shadow his eyes glowed lih
black garnets. Il am sorry there al
not three Gods, M'sieur. II there wei
, would go and fight for her"
A little before dawn Philip wei
with Pierrot and the factor to II
Indian camp. The Crees were read
and waiting Their dogs were tuggin
}. at the ends Of babiche thongs tied
trees. and the boys and women wei
= huddled in a silent group about II
. farthest fire Pictou was looking II
g them and advanced across the Ope
e to meet them.
There was no excitement as he ar
9 Philip. with the factor and Pierrot b
|. hind them. led the way into the gloo
of the forest. The Cree fighters fe
s in behind them like shadows. The
y mOccasined feet made no sound upc
the damp earth: there was no viii
pering OF one man to another. nothir
but grim, terrible silence as tn,
n passed through the thick spruce al
,, into a black rOck-strewn break
l. tween two mountainous ridges. Owe
$ head broke the first gray light Of da
and at every twist and turn som
thing which he could not resist Dire
h Philips eyes behind him. Alwa,
there were the same faces at his bac
a dark. sullen. unresponsive. filling hi
r. with a growing realization of his ov
powerlessness He overlook Pict,