The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-08-10
CHAPTER VlIl


The Indian boys were plunging into
the river when Erskine appeared at
the opening of the old chiefs tent
next morning. and when they came
out icicles were clinglng to their hair
He had forgotten the custom and he
shrugged his shoulders at his mothers
inquirlng look. But the next morning
when Crooked Lightnlngs son Black
Wolf passed him with haunting
smile he changed his mind
swat !" he said He turned, stripped
quickly to q breech-clout, pointed to 4
beech down and across the river, chal-
longing Black Wolf to a race. To-
gether they plunged in and the boys
white body Glove through the water
like the arrow that he was. AT the
beech he whipped about to meet the
angry face Of his competitor ten yards
behind. Halfway back he was more
than twenty yards ahead when he
heard a strangled cry. Perhaps il was
q ruse to cover the humiliation Of de-
feat, but when he saw bucks rushing
for thu river bank he knew that the
icy water had brought cramp TO
Black Wolf, so he turned, caught the
lad by his tOpknot. towed him shore
ward, dropped him cOntemptuously.
and stalked back to his tent. His
mtoher had built fire for him. and
the old chief looked pleased and proud.
my spirit shall not pass" he sain,
and straightway he rose and dressed,
and to the establishment OF the tribe
emerged from his tent and walked
firmly about the village until he found
Crooked Lightning.
"You would have Black Wolf chief"
he said. "Very well. We shall see
who can show the better right-your
son or White Arrow'-a challenge that
sent Crooked Lightning to brood
awhile in his tent, and then secretly to
consult the prophet.
Later the old chief talked long to
White Arrow. The prophet, he said.
had been with them but little while
He claimed that the Great Spirit had
] made revelations to him alone. What
manner Of man was he, questioned the
bOy-did he have ponies and pelts ani
jerked meat?
He Is POOR" said the chief. III,
has only a wife and children and the
tribe feeds him."
White Arrow himself grunted - II
was the first sign Of his old life stir
ring within him.
"Why should the Great Spirit pick
out such a man to favor?' he asked
The chief shook his head.
Crooked Lightning has found much
favor with him, and in turn with the
others, so that l have not thought Il
wise to tell Crooked Lightning that he
must 90. He has stirred up the young
men against me-and against you
They were waiting for me to de-" The
boy looked thoughtful and the chic
waited. He had not reached the aim
OF his speech and there was no neei
to put It In words, for White Arrow
understood.
Il will show Them" he said quietly
| When the two appeared outside
many braves had gathered, for tn,
whole village knew what was In thu
wind. Should 1t be a horse race first
! Crooked Lightning looked at the boy'l
thoroughbred and shook his head
Indian ponies would as we'll try to out
run an arrow, q bullet, a hurricane.
| A fO0t.race? The old chief smiled
when Crooked Lightning shook hi
head again-no brave In the tribe ,ver
could match the speed that gave tn,
lad his name. The bow and arrow
the rife, the tomahawk? Tomahawk,
and bows and arrows were brough
out. Black Wolf was half hea,
shorter, but stocky and powerful,
built. White Arrows sinews hat
strengthened, but he had scarcely uset
bow and tomahawk since he had LEFT
the tribe. He had the power but no
the practice, and Black Wolf VOL
with great ease. When they came Il
the rifle, Black Wolf was out Of tn,
game, for never bull's.eye did Whit,
Arrow miss.
Tomorrow" said the old chief
they shall hunt. Each shall take hi