The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1915-08-12
THE SHADOW
By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1916. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.
What means this?

more than mile Of white topped wag-
ons, more than 300 men, women and
children. There have been jealousies
and heart burnings, even in the pres
ence Of the hostile Indians, moving
swiftly about by day and crawling and
lurking like deadly serpents by night.
Two wagons haul out of the line at
midafternoon and start away at right
angle. Two wagons-two wives, eight
children, three men. It is foolhardy,
dangerous. They drive away in the
shadow Of death, the children crying
and the women pleading.
The three men will not even look
back. They feel that they have been
wronged and insulted, and their pride
is ut stake. Men will listen to no argu-
ment at such times-stubbornly refuse
to reason with those they love. These
men realize their danger, and tomor-
row when they have grown calmer and
when something like an apology Is
borne to them from the main party
they will return to the line, satisfied
with having shown their 'independ-
ence."
The little band has gone into "dry
camp"-n0 water to be had for man
or beast Three miles farther on there
is plenty, but they could not travel in
the darkness. 1t has been a long, hot
day, and man and beast are suffering,
but no one complains. Even the chill
dren choke over their bread and do not
ask for drink.
By and by, all but the sentinel close
their eyes in sleep. A single sentinel
to watch camp in which there are
so many precious lives menaced by
such fierce enemies. over which great
vultures had circled all that day! No,
all did not sleep. There were two
wives who lay awake listening to the
song Of the crickets. to the rustling Of
the night breeze, to the dismal voices
Of the coyotes circling about the camp.
There was threat to them in every
sound-a warning Of evil in every gust
of wind, and there were children who
did not sleep. though they were as
quiet as the dead. They had heard
Of the tomahawk and scalping knife,
of the lack Of mercy in the heart Of an
Indian warrior.
Where is the sentinel? There were
two wagons. He stood or sat between
them as much for the company Of the
inmates as for their protection. At
midnight the guard Is changed. The
relief takes up the same position as
his predecessor did. He notes the same
surroundings. The only change is in
the position Of the moon, which has
been sinking away until the big cac-
tus now throws dark shadow to the
east. That shadow Is the blacklist
spot in all the fairgrounds, but it ex-
cites no special attention. Why should
It? WHAT should there be about a
shadow cast by the June moon to Gre
ate alarm.
1t is o'clock.
Though standing on his feet, the SEN
tinel has nodded-almost asleep. He
rouses himself with shake, turns to
every point of the compass to peer and
listen, but all Is quiet.
The shadow! 1t has grown many
feet longer in the hour. 1t is like q
great black tongue thrust out toward
him from the base Of the plant, but his
eyes do not dwell upon 1t. The wagons
also cast shadows to the east; 80 do
the horses yet standing on their feet
Shadows are but shadows. The perfect
silence Of the night lulls the watcher
on to feeling Of security, and he says
to himself that the night will pass
without even an alarm to wake the
lightest sleeper.
"Ha! What's that?"
A movement, rlstling, a faint noise
as Of something stirring. A prowlfng
wolf or coyote-that is it. The beast
is lodging about in hopes to pick up
something from the evening meal Of
the that's all. How silly to
be startled by the sound!
The shadow! 1t has grown until it
now almost touches the sentinel.s
feet. Will he take warning now? Will
he heed the black object which has
been creeping forward as the black
shadow crept, nOiseless as the football
of a specter, fierce as the growl Of q
wounded tiger? No! He takes step
or two to relieve his limbs and glances
over at the horses.
From the blackness Of the shadow a
dark figure rose up and sank his toma-
hawk into the sentinel's skull, and the
next moment horde Of dusky demons
were IN the camp-shooting, shouting.
tomahawking, using knife or war club.
Five minutes later there were no more
victims to kill. Thank God, none were
carried away to torture and captivity!
A few moments more to hack and
mutilate- plumber, to rejoice, and
then the camp Of the dead was left for
the dead to guard. The wolf came
creeping down to the horrid feast, his
eyes blazing with greediness and his
yellow fangs sharpening AZ he drew
closer and closer. Half a mile away,
on the line Of q dead tree, the vultures
drew their heads from under their
wings and uttered horse croak!
croak! They could not hy in the DARK
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