Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-10-08
CHAPTER XI.
Yellow Hairs Son.


For time we must return to the
arrival of Lorimer at the camp of
Atuk and his wife.
There is no part Of the world
where the good Samaritan has not
been found. The two Nascaupees
proved worthy followers Of the beau
tiful parable. They were we'll ac-
quainted, as most natives of the
northern wilds must be, with the
pitiful signs Of over-exertion COM
bined with hunger.
They toiled over Lorimer for some
time before they actually recognized
him. The hair that had been allowed
to grow for several months, the
beard he had never worn hitherto,
the haggard, drawn face, were suf-
ficient to conceal his identity.
AS SO often happens, the woman's
quicker intuition first revealed 1t to
her. After she had fed the child,
that also seemed to be perishing
with hunger, and laid it on soft skins
by the side Of her own little one, she
looked at the man with natural Gu
riosity.
at is Uapishiu Of the Yellow Hair,
whom they call Lorimerp she ex-
Claimed eXClIeOly.
"In truth it looks much like him."
assented Atuk. "But did we not hear
that Yellow Hair perished in the
rapids? Did we not hear also that
Mashkaugan returned alone and told
Of the death, and is not the woman
Ameou grieving for it,"
"Then she need grieve no longer" "
insisted the woman. "The man they
oil oh al
he not bear all the marks Of terri
BILE journey?"
They had undressed Lorimer. His
body was covered with bruises from
the falls due to his weakness and his
Skin was torn by the branches and
thorns that had sought to hold him
back.
"His is like the pelt of a caribou
stag after many fights" said Atuk.
They dressed the wounds with bal
sam, which they collected in birch
bark cup held beneath the blisters on
the trunks of fir-trees. Each little
swelling when pInctured drops a
few tears of crystal-clear resin.
Then they kneaded his limbs gent
ly and persistently, while he contin-
ued to sleep, and awoke him at in
tervals to make him swallow strong
broth and tea and some of the white
flakes Of fish they had been netting.
At first he was only half con-
scious when he obeyed. He would
swallow few mouthfuls, like a do
cile child; but soon he would push
away the kindly hands, desiring
nothing but to be allowed to fall into
a slumber that was deep as the still
ness of death and more healing than
all the power of the medicine-men.
Shortly after noon, when he had
slept about three hours, they reused
him again.
"He has never been utterly with
out food" said Atuk. "In his pack
there is still little flour, but moth
ing else to eat. The toll of the jour-
ney has been more terrible than the
hunger. 1t will be we'll to make him
eat again in small quantity, for then
the food will not beget cramps and
vomiting, as happens with those who
have starved too long"
They had wrapped him up in
warm, red company blankets and
made him sit near the fire at the en-
trance of the tent; but his head still
lolled upon his breast feebly, for the
only desire that overwhelmed him
was that for sleep.
Yet when they gave him food he
now swallowed greedily. The long
ing for rest gradually subsidized be-
fore the call of his clamoring stom-
ach. Indeed, he would have eaten
moro than would have been good for
him, but the Indians soon withheld
any more food and laid him in front
Of the fire, on which brightly great
logs of yellow birch and pieces of
jack-pine that gave forth clear
flames.
"Let the heat enter his body" said
Atuk. at will drive away the chill
of the long, cold nights and of
sweaty skin that is struck by icy
wind and rain"
The man slept again. The over
driven heart was beating more slow
ly rnd strongly, while the sickly,
muddy tan of his face began to show
an undercurrent of red blood which
drove strength and nourishment
through his body.
"He is great, sturdy man." said
Atuk. Strength is returning to his
limbs"
In two hours they again awoke
him mercilessly. He showed greater
command over himself, smiling
gratefully and trying to move his
stiffened joints.
1t was at this time that Atuk's
wife began to ask questions that had
nightly vexed her motherly soul.
This starved man had come to them