The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-03-19
cHAPTE I.
A Messenger From the North.

A Messenger From the North.
stood alone on the banks OF a
small stream gazing down into the
clear water. my thought centering
u,Jon 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. II was time and place for
caution, for suspicion Of strangers, and
my rife came forward in instant readL
ness. my heart throbbing with star
tied surprise. He held up both hands,
his own weapon resting on the ground.
Not so careless, boy" he called
across cheerfully. There is no war.
so far as know. between white men,.
His easy tone. as well 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"
NO? Well by my eyesight you look
II, although in faith you are surely big
enough for a grown man. Yours is
the first white face I've seen since !
left the Shawnee towns-a weary jour
ney."
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,"
ne acknowledged slowly. Il am from
Sandusky, by way Of Vincennes."
"Alone?"
The Indians who were with me re-
NAMED at Shawnee; they lost heart
Come over" said shortly. where
We can converse more easily"
He stepped into the cool water I'M
hesitatingly. and waded across, q small
pack at his back, and q long rife
across his shoulder. There was q
reckless audacity about the fellow !
could not fail to observe, and, as he
scrambled up the rather steep bank. I
had a 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 rife in my hand, determined to
know more of this wanderer He was
q man of middle age, with gray hairs
plenty. and scraggly beard. an
active body. Of good girth, and
dark face, deeply scanned, having
an ugly scar adown his right
cheek. seemingly from Its white center
the slash Of knife. The eyes. CLEAN
Ing beneath the brim Of his hat. were
furtive. uncanny. black as to color, and
bold enough in the sneaking way Of
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 stood had conceived dis
like for the fellow. a 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, l make bold TO guess. Let
us have frankness between us. leone
from the north on a mission OF peace,
the representative Of the tribes. and
of Hamilton. All I ask is fair speech,
and guidance"
You represent Hamilton, you say?"
AYE, though ! expect little will
come from 1t. would have word with
St. Clair and Harmar. Know you
either man"
Both, passing well. st. Clair is up
the river-or was three days since
but General Harmar represents him at
the settlement. How happens II, my
friend, IL the message be so important,
Hamilton did not dispatch an officer?"
"He had no choice. None volunteer
ed for the task. and | was the selec.
tion OF the tribes. You question me as
though you were Harmar himself;
and more, you have the look OF II.
You're not a woodsman. you say; then
make a guess-you're a soldier"
Il am" | returned quietly. IAN en-.
sign in the regular service"
"Name?"
Joseph Hayward OF Fort Harmar."
"The gods be praised! Now is the
way made clear. You we're travelling
thither?"
Il am TO be there tomorrow"
"In ample time for my purpose.
recall your name. Master Hayward, as
spoken by the Delawares. You were
at Chillicothe last spring?"
Il attended the council"
"The very man, and now you can
serve me well, II may journey with
your"
Il am not overly fond OF white men
who turn Indian" said coldly, How
ever III see you safe TO the fort gates
v you play no forest tricks on the