The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-09-17

convince me that the man was sitting
up, his back against the wall.
II don't know who you are, friend"
he called out heartily, only you look
to be white. BY any luck do you
speak English?"
mot much of anything else" l an
swered, endeavoring to discover his
features. I'm of the blood"
GAY! With a colonial twang to It,
unless my ears lie. Is that the story ?
So! Then what in Gods name are you
doing here?"
l could not take the measure of the
fellow, his face remaining indistinct In
the shadows, but there was a reckless
ring of good-fellowship in his voice
which inspired me to frankness.
Il came this way with message for
the Wyandots. l belong to the gar
rison of Fort Harmar."
"An ofiicer?"
YES"
Holy smoke, man, but you certainly
stumbled into hornets nest. Didn't
you know all the northwest tribes
have declared war? That 1t has actual
ly begun?"
mo: it was in the hope of prevent.
ing such catastrophe that was sent
Word was brought us that the Wyan-
dots would not join the confederation
"Who brought such word?"
Simon Girty. He bore letter from
Hamilton, and sought information re
garding the disappearance of a Wyan
dot chief"
"Wa-pa-tee-tah?"
"That was the name."
The man laughed but the sound was
not altogether pleasant.
There is touch of humor to your
tale, my FRIEND" he said slowly, al
though doubt if you will be able to
perceive it. Girty and Hamilton may
have had reasons of their own for a bit
Of byplay: egad! They failed to con
suit me. But as for this Wa-pa-tee-tah
that CHANGED to be my business, al
though just now, and in the presence
of the enemy, we will let the discus
sion go. Diplomacy never reveals its
cards, and l have become more diplo
mat than soldier. What am / them
prisoner"
saw him now clearly, and he must
have got his first fair glimpse OF me
for he stared at my face in startled
surprise that, for the moment, held
him dumb. 1t was like looking at my
own reflection in glass-the eyes, the
hair, the nose. the contour of the face
the massive figure, all alike the coun
terpart Of my own. l would not have
believed, except for the witness of my
own eyes, that such similarity was pos
sibie. Even though fortified with sud
den impression that this was the man
for whom mademoiselle had mistaken
me. the actual resemblance was SO
startling, as to leave me voiceless. We
would have passed for each other any.
where. and yet as l stared at him
meeting his eyes fairly, / perceived a
difference. faint, elusive, yet notice,
able enough-his skin showed marks
Of dissipation; there was a peculiar in.
solent sneer to his mouth, and he
must be older than by FIVE years. NY
mind seemed to Strip all this In a fash,
before his voice broke the silence.
odds life. man! and what's this!'
he roared. Some play acting, or a
dream? Never before did know !
was born twin. Who are you?"
The look on his face. as II he half
suspected he saw a ghost, made me
smile.
my name is Hayward-Joseph Hay.
ward"
He gasped for breath, his eyes fairly
protruding. as he staggered to his feet
What! Say that again!"
had fun control Of myself now,
rather enjoying his confederation.
Il am Joseph Hayward" answered
with grave elaboration. An suaiu