The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-03-19
CHAPTER /.
A Messenger From the North.

usOu LLC JOuI lOLIAC al W. "hCh lAAS |
bushes opposite parted, and man |
stood on the bank scarcely a dozen |
steps away, with only the stream be- |
tween us. 1t was time and place for
caution, for suspicion Of strangers, and
my rife came forward in instant readi- !
ness, my heart throbbing with star
tied surprise. He held up both hands,
his own weapon resting on the ground.
Not so careless, boy" he called
across cheerfully. There is no war,
so far as know, between white men"
His easy tone, as we'll as his words,
Jared on me, yet | lowered the rifle.
Il am no boy" l retorted, "as you
may discover before We are through
our acquaintance"
NO? Well by my eyesight you look
it, although in faith you are surely big
enough for a grown man. Yours is
the first white face I've seen since |
left the Shawnee towns-a weary jour
ney."
The Shawnee towns" l echoed,
staring at him in fresh wonderment
You come from beyond? From the
Illinois?"
"a longer journey than that even"
he acknowledged slowly. I am from
Sandusky, by way of Vincennes.'
"Alone?"
The Indians who were with me re-
| manned at Shawnee; they lost heart.
Since then I have been by myself
Come over" 1 said shortly, where
we can converse more easily
/ He stepped into the cool water I'M
/ hesitatingly, and waded across, small
! pack at his back, and a long rife
! across his shoulder. There was
/ reckless audacity about the fellow I
! could not fail to observe, and, IS he
/ scrambled up the rather steep bank, I
/ had a glimpse of a face far from my
| liking. However, ours was a rough
| life in those days, accustoming us to
strange acquaintances, so | waited,
my rifle in my hand, determined to
know more of this wanderer. He was
a man of middle age, with gray hairs
a plenty, and scraggly beard, an
active body, of good girth, and a
dark face, deeply scanned, having
an ugly scar adown his right
cheek, seemingly from it's white center
the slash of knife. The eyes, gleam-
ing beneath the brim of his hat were
furtive, uncanny, black as to color, and
bold enough in the sneaking way of a
tiger cat Beyond these things there
was little distinctive about the man,
his dress merely that of the back
woods-fringed hunting shirt and leg
gings of leather, dirty and soiled by
long use, yet exhibiting a bit of fop-
perry in decoration which made me re-
call the French voyageurs of the
north and their gay ribbons. At his
belt dangled hunting knife and toma-
hawk, but these, with the rifle. con-
stituted his whole display of weapons.
Even before he had obtained the level
on which | stood | had conceived a dis
like for the fellow, desire to have
done with further acquaintanceship.
With feet planted firmly on the edge
of the grass he scanned me from head
to foot with unwinking eyes, that
sought vainly to smile.
you are surely a big fellow" he
said at last. Some hand at rough and
tumble, l make bold to guess. Let
us have frankness between us. l come
from the north on mission of peace
the representative Of the tribes, and
of Hamilton. All ask is fair speech
and guidance"
You represent Hamilton, you say?'
Aye, though l expect little will
r come from it. l would have word with
e st. Clair and Harmar. Know you
: either man."
Both, passing well. st. Clair is VI
the river-or was three days since
2 but General Harmar represents him al
D the settlement. How happens it, my
friend, if the message be so important
Hamilton did not dispatch an officer?'
He had no choice. None volunteer
! ed for the task, and l was the selec
ton of the tribes. You question me as
though you were Harmar himself
and more, you have the look of it
. You're not woodsman, you say; Their
, l make a guess-you're a soldier"
Il am" I returned quietly, AN en-
sign in the regular service
"Name?"
, Joseph Hayward Of Fort Harmar.'
Q The gods be praised. Now is the
: way made clear. You were travelling
0 thither?"
Il am to be there tomorrow"
. In ample time for my purpose.
> recall your name. Master Hayward, as
Q spoken by the Delawares. You were
: at Chillicothe last spring."
> Il attended the council"
: The very man, and now you car
. serve me well, IL l may journey with
? you?"
. Il am not overly fond of white mer
: who turn Indian" said coldly. How
, ever I'll see you safe to the fort gate:
: IL you play no forest tricks on the