Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-10-29

ndEuly DuuBC biiC
Gregoire. who quickly followed, laid
powerful hand on the agents
shoulder.
"I will not have any brawling on
this day." he said gravely. Loosen
your hold, men! | order peace
among you. Mashkaugan, stand thou
back! Curran has surely the right
to be with us and join in our rejoic-
ing. Enter quietly now"
The agent walked in, glancing fu-
riously at Mashkaugan, and the old
missionary.
But when he was inside the tent
he remained like man transfixed by
an arrow, or as one lost in bliZ-
zard, who has leaned against tree
and there been frozen stiff and stark.
Lorimer had been lying down, but
now he had raised himself on one
elbow.
The thin, drawn features looked to
Curran like those of a corpse that
has been taken from a tomb, not
withstanding the smile that was
upon them.
Casting bewildered glance about
him, he saw Ameou, with the child
lying upon her breast. The gentle
smile of happy greeting with which
she met his look he translated in his
excitement as a grin of triumph over
him.
"You have all been plotting
against mel" he ragged. "All have
sought to make a fool Of me!
suppose you'll be telling lies to the
company about me, won't you? You
can't prove anything. You take me
for one that may be gulled and
spurned and laughed at, do you?
Where's that devil Of half breed ?"
The man dashed furiously out Of
the tent.
"Peace! Keep still, 1 command
youW shouted Father Gregoire.
But Curran paid no heed and ran
toward Mashkaugan, who stood at
short distance with folded arms.
"rll have no fightingp cried the
priest again. run away, Mashkau-
gan, till we quiet this madman.
Help! You men by the canoes"
The Indian canoemen came run
ming up as Mashkaugan turned
away. Mashkaugan ran few steps
direction. The infuriated man fol-
lowed close.
In a few seconds he was on the
ledge of rock which overhung the
lake, and was compelled to turn at
bay.
Curran flung himself upon him,
and they grappled as wild beast,
painting like bull moose in deadly
fight. For a moment the agent tore
a hand free from the grasp of the
hunchback's long arms, and an ex-
plosion was heard.
For another brief instant, Mash
kaugan loosened his hold, but one of
his great fists came crashing against
Curran's lower jaw.
The agent fell like an animal that
has been poleaxed and slipped inert
ly from the shelving rock into the
deep-blue water, which closed over
him-rippling at first and then
smoothing over as if to cast veil
over the gruesome evidence of his
blind, wild fury.
The Indians leaped into their ca
noes and padded swiftly to the spot.
For a time they searched with long,
setting poles, but the water was
deep and they could find nothing. In
a short time they ceased, fearing the
spirits that gather about the places
of sudden death were about them.
Mashkaugan was lying on the
ground. The men carried him close
to the tent, where the old mission
ary knelt by him, weeping.
81 should have permitted thee to
defend thyself," he said sadly.
But Mashkaugan smiled at him.
at is for the BEST" he said in a
low, halting voice. 81 would speak
to thee, father, and be shriven by
thee if my sins may ever be for
given. Put thy ear near my mouth,
for l can speak but low"
The old man listened. For some
minutes slow words that hurt con-
tlnued to come. Then Father Gro
going made sign and Maku came to
him.
Bring Lorimerw he ordered.
The sick man was brought, sup
ported on both sides, and knelt by
the reclining man.
"Mashkaugan begs thy forgive
ness" said the priest.
"Indeed, ] forgive thee all, Mash
kaugan," said Lorimer. ~ would
give much to know that we two soon
might travel again as friends to-
gether in the greatness Of the
woodsw
The hunchback smiled at him
gratefully and spoke in stronger
voice.
"If I am forgiven of God and
man." said he, "there will surely be
happiness in lying over there bet
tween the two great birches that
overlook the water and the glory Of
every rising sum-"
For many days it seemed as il
they would have to bury him be
meath the silvery trees, yet he recov-
cred and was Lorimer's stanch, de-
voted friend.
One morning all the canoes were
loaded, and every one returned to
| Tshemuak Post, where many pounds
of valuable black "pouk" were
burned in long-harreled guns in
honor of the tiny fleet bearing Lori
mer, Father Gregoire and Ameou
with all her happiness, and Autk
with his family.
Indeed, no man was ever known to
camp again or to stretch meshes for
whitefsh in the place at Many
L