Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-11-25
CHAPTER XIV.
The Call o. The Wind

7 4.H II -
The Call OF the Wind.
The night lay thick over the Silet,
country. High above. the pine topi
sang with . roar, softvoiced but far
reaching % thunder. Mystery and
loneliness pressed upon the wilder
ness like Q finger. It quivered the
sharp ears Of Black Bolt, pricked for
ward, listening. II padded the feet o.
Coosnah running ahead in the trail
but upon Siletz it's touch was lost
She, too. was Of the forest on night
like this: she. too. was free Of its hid
den paths. Hour after hour they
threaded the familiar way. and pres
emily the forest lightened. fell away
left them at the steep shore Of the
silsts river, gursling along in the
darkness. swift and shallow.
Fields and pastures lay here upon
right and left and cabins stood squat II
the shadows. This WAS the headquar
tiers OF the reservation. Through the
small settlement. up q lane and across
q woods.lot went the trio, and pres
entity Siletz drew rein where q sorry
shack crouched forlornly beneath q
mammoth ar. The sound brought to
its door bent figure that came and
stood at Black Bolts head like q
shadow.
silet1 spoke In jargon, slid down.
trailed the reins on the earth and en-.
tered the little house.
An hour later she stood against ita
closed door, facing dusky circle Of
squatting figures, her trim form
straight in the lamplight, her shirt
open bit at the throat, her slim
hands eloquent in quiet gestures.
Near the pine table that held the
litful light stood old Kolawmie, a
splendid illustration Of the white
mans ways.
He might have been fifty years Of
age, he might have been q hundred.
Pure blood Of chiefs ran in his veins,
and he had memories Of the time when
tho Oregon country reached from the
northern sound to the valley of the
Sacramento, but the burden OF prog.
ress hung heavy on his shoulders. his
fingers trembled from much devotion
to- tho Spirit Of the Burning Water.
Broken in heart and soul and tribe,
he dreamed out the long last days in
the monotony- of the reservation, send.
Ing his sons to the red-roofed school
On the hill. turning them aimlessly
loose upon their lands when they
were throughput still throughout the
country where the sign Of the Siletz
was seen, there were known his wise
pfecepts, there would his call bring
followers. About him gathered now
silent circle. young men who could
speak good English and write essays
on the evolution Of man. older ones
who accepted the modern modes with
reservations. and . few like himself OF
the ancient time.
To them Siletz was speaking.
Trouble has fallen upon the Night
Wind" she said sweetly, "and she
comes to her friends for help. Sandry
at tho camp IL deserted by his men.
The camp fails. the work is stopped.
the engines are silent at their posts,
and big contract that means much
10 ready to be lost-and Hampden OF
the Yellow Pines laughs; in glee. for he
mas done this thing. Men there are
not In the country-and to 60 to Port
land means loss Of time on the great
contract. Therefore sandry sits with
his head in his hands, thus"
With swift art she bent her dark
head forward upon her palms, dropped
her slim shoulders and instantly De.
spair doomed before the dusky circle.
For which the heart of S1etz sick
ems. for she 10 Sandry,s woman"
There was silence for space. The
Girl was IN artist.
"She would help him. Therefore
she comes to;her friends. whose, hearts
are large with friendship. though their
hands are soft with leisure. The 81
letz need not work. VIII they give
the free gift of labor for the Night
Winds manf'
!. Il was heart-speech, it was in Jar
ION and It was successful. for with
the early dawn. bluegray with mist
and sun-shot with crimson, Sandry.
who had not slept, standing with fur.
rowed brows on the Office step. heard
sounds Of hoofs ct the valleys head.
He looked and beheld . cavalcade of
riding with ease on their
ragged ponies, and led by Siletz upon
Black Bolt, who still stepped proudly
after his day-and-night's journey.
while Coosnah rolled with swinging
ears ct his side.
. sHere, /" said the girl - she rode up. !
"they vim work for the big contract.
And she Slid down with . little sigh |
q WEAKNESS before Sandry could Of.
fsr his arms.
"0oshl" said Daily to himself In the |
shadow Of the once, the Siwashes!"
sMr. sandry," he said to the owner |
when the long tables were filled In
Every place with the best Of the van
ishing tribe that silets could pick.
I'm kickin' myself that didn't think
Of the Indians myself, though Lord
knows II We can whip ERA in line. for
e would take the devil himself to
make Siwash work !;
hut It did not take his majesty. It
hook only the word Of Kolawmie, who
had given . command which quiet
half.breed who seemed the leader Of
he crew artlessly repeated to Sandry.
I'VE WIN work till the contracts
saved. he said; "in giving to you we
1--WE TO 61ets, who ID your WOMAN"
And Sandry. astoundsd beyond meas
nse. opened his mouth and closed It
without speech.
And Il was work indeed for all. SAM