The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-05-21
CHAPTER !.
A Messenger From the North.

+: I stood alone on the banks Of q
small stream gazing down into the
clear water, my thought centering
u ION the journey homeward, when the
bushes opposite parted, and man
stood on the bank scarcely a dozen
steps away, with only the stream be-
tween us. It 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.
mot so careless, boy" he called
across cheerfully. There Is no war.
50 far as know, between white men,"
His easy tone. as we'll as his words.
Jared on me. yet lowered the rife.
Il am no boy" retorted, "as you
may discover before we are through
our acquaintance"
mo? Well by my eyesight you look
1t, although in faith you are surely big
enough for q grown man. Yours Is
the first white face I've seen since
left the Shawnee towns-a weary jour-
:ney."
1.-THE Shawnee towns!" echoed,
staring at him in fresh wonderment.
you come from beyond? From the
Illinois?"
He stroked his beard.
"A longer journey than that even"
he acknowledged slowly. Il am from
Sandusky. by way Of Vincennes."
"Alone?"
sssrto ruA@or. ~,ho ,,,oro ~r,l<1, mo "a
NAMED at Shawnee; they lost heart
Since then have been by myself"
Come over" said shortly, where
we can converse more easily"
He stepped into the cool water un-
hesitatingly. and waded across, a small
pack at his back, and a long rifle
across his shoulder. There was a
reckless audacity about the fellow I
could not fail to observe, and. as he
scrambled up the rather steep bank. I
had glimpse of a face far from my
liking. However, ours was rough
life in those days, accustoming US to
strange acquaintances, so l waited,
my rifle in my hand, determined to
know more Of this wanderer. He was
q 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 its white center
the slash of knife. The eyes, gleam-
ing beneath the brim of his hat, we're
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 rife, con.
stituted his whole display Of weapons
Even before he had obtained the level
on which l 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 big fellow" he
said at last. Some hand at rough and
tumble, make bold to guess. Let
US have frankness between us. come
: from the north on a 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 expect little will
come from it. would have word with
: st. Clair and Harmar Know yor
either man."
Both, passing we'll. st. Clair is VI
; the river-or was three days since
but General Harmar represents him al
: the settlement. How happens it, my
; friend, if the message be so important
Hamilton did not dispatch an offcer?'
"He had no choice. None volunteer
ed for the task, and I was the selec
: ton of the tribes. You question me az
; though you were Harmar himself
: and more, you have the look Of 1t
: You're not woodsman, you say; theI
I make a guess-you're soldier"
II am" returned quietly, AN en-
sign in the regular service"
Manner"
Joseph Hayward Of Fort Harmar.
1.-THE gods be praised! Now is the
way made clear. You were travelling
thither?"
Il am to be there tomorrow"
I'm ample time for my purpose.
recall your name, Master Hayward, al
spoken by the Delawares. You were
at Chillicothe last spring."
81 attended the council"
THE very man, and now you car
serve me we'll, If l may journey Will
your"
II am not overly fond Of white mel
who turn Indian" said coldly. "How
ever I'll see you safe to the fort gate,
Il you play NO forest tricks on tn,