The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1922-08-23
PIONEER

| n'" SialIl. But il tnc Indians We're
falling into evil ways ana following
| evil counsels, his heart was sad.
Il Will come when the leaves fall"
he concluded, "but Crooked Lightning
must pitch his lodge in the wilderness
trtil he can show that his heart Is
good And then with an ilnperious
gesture he waved his hand toward the
west:
"Now got"
1t was hard even for Dave to realize
that the lad, to all purposes. was uctu-
ally then the chief OF powerful tribe.
ana even he was little uwed by the
instant obedience of the savuges, who,
without word, melted into the bushes
ana disappeared. Dave recovered him.
SER with little chucklc only wher
without q word Erskine clucked Fire
NY Forward, quite unonsciously taking
the lead. Nearing sunset, from
little hill Dave pointed to a thin blue
wisp of smoke rising far ahead from
the green eXpnnse.
There it is, boys" he cried. All
the horses were tired except Fircny
and with a whoop Erskine darted for
ward and disappeared. They followed
as fast as they could and they heard
the report Of the boys rifle and the
series of war-whoops with which he
was heralding his approach. Nobody
IN the fort was fearful, for plainly 1t
was no unfriendly coming. All were
gathered Mt the big gate and there
were many yells and cries of welcome
ana wonder when the boy swept into
the clearing on run, brandishing his
rifle above his head and pulled his
merry black horse up in front Of them.
Whar'd you steal that hoss?" shout
cd Bud
Look at them clothes!" cried Jack
sanders. And the womcn-Mother
sanders, Mother Noe and Lydia and
Honor ana Polly Conrad-gathercd
about him, laughing, welcoming, shak
ing hands and asking questions
where's Davc!" That was tho
chiei question and asked by several
voices at the same time The boy
looked grave
Dave amt comm back" he said.
ana then seeing the look on Lydia's
face. he smiled: Dave" He had no
further 10 10, for Dawes rife cracked
ana his voice rose from the woods,
ana he and Harry and Hugh gnlloped
into the clearing. Then were there
more whoopings and greetings, and
Lydias starting tears turned to smiles.
Dave had to tell about his trip and
ErSklne'S raceS-for the lad would saw
nothing-and In turn followed stories
OF killing buffalo, deer, panther and
wildcat during his absence. Early the
women disappeared, soon the men bs-
gan To Nawn and stretch, ana the sen
tl''elS went TO the wntch-towcrS, for
'here had Drel Indian signs that day.
IhlS news thrilled the eastern lads,
ana thcy too tu!nG,l into the same bed
Duilt out from the Wall Of one of the
cabins and covered with bcnrsliinS
And Harry, just before his eyes closed
saw through the open door Erskine
seated alone, the connrcting-link be-
between the tidcwatrr ariStocrats and
lh"Se rude pioneers, between these
hackWoodSmcn and the savage enc
mics out in the black cncircling will
dcrncSS. And that boys brain was in
turmoil-what was to be his fate.
promised to so mt the next falling OF
the leaves?
The green of the wilderness dullod
and burst into the yellow Of the buck
eye. the scarlet Of maple and the rus
SET OF oak. This glory in turn dulled
ana the leaves. like petals Of withcrcd
flowers. began to drift to the earth.
Through the shower of them went
Erskinc and Firetly who had become
as used to the wildS ns to the smiling
banks OF the far-away James. And
thc two now were one in mutual affec.
ton and n mutual understanding that
was uncanny.
The hoy was the son of n king again,
and as such was on his way in answer
to the wish Of Il king. For food he
carried only a little sack of salt, for
his rifle would bring him meat ana
tho forest would give him nuts ana
fruit. When the sun was ncuring its
highest, he "barkcd'' a squirrel from
me trunk or beech; toward sunset
fat pheasant tluttercd from the
ground to Il low limb and he shot its
head Oft and campcd for the night.
On the second day he reached the
broad buffalo trail that led to the salt
iickS and on to the river, ana then
memories came. lie remembered q
place where the Indians had camped
after they had captured himself and
his mother. In his mind was n faint
picture of her sitting against tree
and weeping and Of an Indian striking
her to make her stop and Of himself
leaping ut the savage like Il little wild
cat, whereat the others laughed like
children. Farther on, next day, was
the spot where the Indians had scpa.
rNtnl fhnin nj IA 4,