The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-04-03

His father made no response, and it
was as though he had not heard. The
lines even of his face did not relax,
and, glancing at him. David knew that
his thoughts dwelt on Kip Ryerson and
that he was still in a silent passion of
anger. Again David wished that he
had been in at the settlement. That it
had been bitter for Ryerson he guessed
we'll enough. familiar with his fathers
arrogance. In his younger days before
his marriage, Anderson Cree had been
known for the readiest fighter all up
and down the Draft. and men still
said OF him. Anderson amt he'd ter
take his coat off fer err right smart
while. but l reckon eff hit was ter
come err feller'd find Their same ole man
inside hit"
The day wore on toward 8 o'clock;
it was clear and getting hot. The boy
began to feel drowsy in the warm still
ness. He thought vaguely that it was
just as we'll that his father and he had
too dry anyway to go on with their
corn shocking.
Presently he was thirsty. Across
the dip of the hollow a maple tree,
sending it's roots deep, had tapped n
spring, and the cool waters dubbed
giving to the stand it's name OF the
maple spring. and adding their CUR
Cling contribution to the little creek
at the foot Of the ridge.
David glanced at his father. The
man still sat in the same s~tatue-like
pose.
Reckon I'll get CIR drink he said
rising stih1y. Again the man made nc
reply, and the boy, hardly expecting
any, crossed over to the spring.
For a few moments he drank eager.
~, then suddenly, Unexpectedly he
stopped-a wave Of paralyzing feat
swept over him. He had not seen any.
thing, he had not heard anything, YET
all at once the stiffness in the woods
was ominous of something horrible
something appalling. Terrified, he lay
upon the brink Of the little spring
slightly raised by his two hands, anc
waited, hearing nothing but the tongu
ing of the dogs and seeing nothing bu1
!: his own frightened face, which the wa
/ ter gave back. Then it came-a sharl
/ report. u cry, and something fleeing
With an answering scream David leap
! ed to his feet and looked. His fatbe,
, had Slipped from the log on which Ii.
, sat and lay a huddled heap upon til,
ground. shot in the back.
I David sprang toward him, "Pappy
, pappy..' he cried. He had not seer
, any one. yet in the distance he still
heard heavy feet tearing through tn.
underground as something fed dcspcr
, ately down the ridge.
= AS David stopped owe him his fathe,
opened his eyes. vacantly at first, bu
gradually meaning and hate grew il
them. He caught his breath in hare
, gasps. and his gaze centercd upon Da
: vid. With an effort he raised one hant
, and dropped it to the boys trcmblin.
4 shoulder.
l ut was Ryerson done hit he pant
> ed. "Rycrson done hit. l amt scel
1 him, but | know he done hit. He.
) killed yer pappy." He paused, fishtin;
for breath. Hes killed yer pappy.'
. he repeated: thcn-"Ef Their law don
kill him promise me you will" II,
r stopped again for breath. his tcrribl,
: dying eyes searching David's face. Eo
l a moment the boy hesitated, too dazet
by it all to understand.
Again the fingers twitched his wrist
S and the insistent voice vent on: He
;. killed yer pappy, he's Killed yer pappy
( Would yer let him live?"
r All at once David's stunned sense
woke, and hatred, more awful thai
that upon the mans dying face, stamp
! ed itself upon the boys. Aldersol