The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1916-01-20


, was not visible. Only a pale ligh
, turned the heavy canopy to shadowe
pearl. The three women waited in tina
silence which ever attends the waiter
for men who face danger. They wer,
used to the silence. for there was M
accord between them. Ma Daily hat
long ago shut this bird o. tn earth
out Of her good heart and Siletz hated
her with the fury Of the woman whose
mate is threatened.
At last solitary Indian came down
the valley, running, his mouth full OF
excitement and dolorous prediction
The whole OF the Siletz would go. II
was the wrath of the Great Spirit
turned loose upon a wicked world. II
was the judgment. There was nothing
like 1t. He fell into jargon and re-
verified to the ancient gods, and Siletz
checked him sternly.
What do you mean, Quanna?" she
said, have you forgotten the Preacher
and the Bible? There is only one God
and he holds us in the hollow OF his
hand. 1t is not the destruction OF the
world. 1t will stop. What more has
happened, and where is Sandry of the
camp?"
Everything had happened. The
whole country was afire. Not only
ridge or two, valley in between. as
II had been here, day. two days back,
but ridge after ridge valley after val
Law Ia tuAPld ka orfh fba
Sandry was somewhere up behind the
Hog Back.
For moment the girl looked out
across the slough. lying like a dirty
ribbon between its gray and wilted
banks Then she turned troubled eyes
to the general.
Mother" she said, 81 know it now.
There's danger to Sandry. and I'm go
Ing"
Child. you're wrong this time San
dry's a man. Well as you know tn
hills can't let you go. | forbid it"
They faced each other a moment
while Siletz tossed back her braids
and frightened her belt.
Pm going" she said quietly. Ma
Daily. who had raised her. said no
more; but as she turned to the stove
was her wont in every
time of trial, there was a deeper line
about her tremulous old mouth.
Swift as the wind the girl ran down |
the valley toward the deserted camp. |
Miss Ordway watched her and against |
her will, drawn by some subtle excite
ment. some urging power she. too,
gathered her skirts and began to run
across the pulling ashes. At the lean.
% she came upon the other just lead
ng out Black Bolt, a shining beauty.
Eager for the turf.
I'm going too, painted Poppy,
'eaching for bride that hung behind
he bay.
Siletz had always ridden bareback,
tut now, why abe did not know, she
ook down Sandry's saddle and slung
on Black Bolt. Poppy followed her
movements, and by the time Siletz had
nut foot IN stirrup and swung up, she
lad caught up her wide skirt and
counted. Siletz flared around at her ,
nd her eyes were beginning to ,
parkle in face pale with rage.
Without word they galloped up |
cross the lonesome valley and took
D what had once been a trail in the
odding ferns. Now it was but a
light depression running amid the
lackened trunks. the endless heaps
ashes. Poppy ordway followed ST.
'tz, on chance. dare, mere haz-
I'd. She did not know the danger the
lenace Of the hills.
She was saying to herself after her
nticing habit of self-communon:
III have my precious packet soon.
know ] shall. The gods are with
e. | feel it,"
Once Siletz turned upon her.
Go hack!" she cried fiercely, some 4
Iirg is about to happen"
You're right" said Poppy, and for Z
ace the hardness of her nature
lowed like a rock under waves in r
res and voice and manner, and I'll I
in at the happening" I
They spoke no mere. Siletz checked T
lack Bolt in another mile. rose in her :
irrups and looked over the appalling :
'ectacle before them. Over and be- :
md lay the tumbled hills. thick with :
savy timber, that ran into the Siletz :
isin. Somewhere in their Businesses j
jared the mighty spine of the Hog
ack with its secret trail. And some
here up behind the Hog Back was
indry. Calm as she was by nature,
lett shu6dered as she looked upon A
. world of flame and smoke. To
oppy Ordway, ignorant of it's mean
g and its might. it was a splendid ar
'ectacle. SO
Siletz plunged down the ridge on the or
her side and the woman followed. IN
he shadows of the smoke-tilled val IN
y grew into ar uncanny twilight. The 70
ne, light ashes made slippery going WI
Id more than cnce Black Bolt slipped 81
catch lis footing, catlike. They en-
de ahead and entered the fire belt Tn
SELF The dusk grew denser The Oh
eat lay like tangible blanket in the lie
blows and dips. Siletz urged Black
olt. Something was calling ont of OF
le gray dimness-chilling her heart. WI