The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1918-03-19

J old father and motherI" cried Wltana.
1t was considerable of task for the
faithful Rainbow to begin long run
after a brief rest, for only two hours
previous the sledge dog and driver had
terminated a 25-mile run. The sturdy
animal breasted the fierce wind willing
! ly, however. Mason added some milk
for the babe to his stores. The little
one was warmly bestowed, wrapped
up in a blanket and skins behind the
mother on the sledge, while Mason
walked to tighten the load.
There was no visible trail, and the
past familiarity of Watina with the
district alone kept them from straying
over dangerous mountain passes and
losing direction and destination. Where
the course was uneven and difficult
Watina relieved Rainbow of her add
ed burden.
1t was just SO hours after the rigor-
uttered joyous cry, and momentarily
Mason halted to view a large bark
structure surrounded by a group of
small huts.
Watina began to weep and trembled
as they descended towards the settle.
ment, as though fearing to be repulsed
by those she longed to see. A passing
Indian noticed her, stared, uttered o
ringing whoop, and dashed for the big
bark lodge. He reappeared, followed
by big brave, whose apparel showed
him to be man of Importance in the
community.
He was the old chief, the father OF
Watina. Behind him trailed his wife,
with arms outstretched, crying out
eagerly to the mourned for, long lost
daughter, whom the father EMBODIED
in welcome clasp. while his wife took
possession Of the little babe.
They overwhelmed Mason with ex,
pressions of grateful friendship. when
Watina had told them of the part he
had taken in saving her babe and her.
self. There was great feast given in
honor of the restoration of the way.
ward child of the tribe.
The next morning Mason arranged
to renew his journey to the south. He
had lost two days and must make ur
for lost time. There was the fear OF
some great stress Of weather, CLOSING
the trails. His one thought now was
OF his wife and the little one, and OF
the aged mother back in the humble
village home, he resolved never to
n no oil 80
tickle fortune.
"And am coming back empty hand
ed" he meditated, rather mournfully.
"What great hopes the dear ones at
home built upon my prospects. Oh,
well, just to be all together again in
the home next-that will compensate
for all disappointments and suffer-
ing"
you will come" spoke an Indian
lad, as Mason was hitching up Rain
bow, and he indicated that Mason was
wanted at the big house.
1t was there that Mason confronted
a vast surprise, and a pleasurable one.
What resembled q teeter, comprising a
long board set across a post imbedded
in the ground, and swiveled at the GEN.
ter, had large wicker basket at each
end In one, smiling her gratitude
and friendly regard for Mason, was
Watina. Half dozen men were bring
ing In armful after armful of skins.
Gold the old chief had not. but his
habitation, 1t seemed, was storehouse
filled with the results of hunting and
trapping during the past season.
Some of the skins were almost prica-
less. Little as Mason knew of their
marketable value, he readily surmtsed
that. Until the teeter evenly hal
anced, the skins were piled against the
weight of Watina-over a hundred
pounds.
And then the chief added half a
dozen seal skins, secured in some trade
with Indians farther north. The old
man indicated that the rich endow-
ment was token of the kindly CRATE
fitness of those whom Mason had
made happy.
When Abel Mason waved adieu to
the little Indian settlement, the royal
gift secured to the sledge behind hin,
he headed southwards, made hopeful
by the knowledge that he would not
reach the loved ones at home empty
handed