The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-08-16
CHAPTER /

answer tue great gray eye OF the Will
derness lifted its mist-frinced lid.
From the green depths came the f1ut-
ing Of lone wOOd-thrush. cougar
]eaped from the low limb of an oak.
missed, and shuddering deer
Streaked through forest aisle,
bounded into little clearing. stopped
rigid, shifted deadlier enemy, and
whirled into the wilderness again
Still deeper in the depths a boy with
bow and arrow and naked. except for
scalp-lock and breech- clout, sprang
from sleep and again took fight along
buffalo trail. Again, not far behind
him, three grunting savages were TAX
ing up the print of his moccasined
feet
An hour before q red flare rose
within the staked enclosure that was
reared in the center of the little clear
ing, and above it smoke was seen ris-
ing. Before the first glimmer of day
the gates yawned little and three
dim shapes appeared and moved leis-
urely for the wOods-each man with a
long f1intlOck rifle in the hollow of his
arm, hunting knife in his belt, and
a cOonskin cap on his head At either
end of the stOckade watch-toWer of
oak became visible and in each a
sleepy sentinel yawned and sniffe0
the welcome smell of frying venison
below him.
One sentinel rose towering to the
full of his stature, stretched hin
mighty arms with yawn. and lightly
leaped. rifle in hand, into the en-
closure. a girl climbing the rude lad
der to the tower stopped midway.
"Mornin', Dave!"
"Mornin', Polly!
"YOu don't seem to have much use
for this ladder"
mot unless I'm goin' up: and
wouldn't then II I could jump rs high
as l can fall" He went toward her to
help her down.
Il wouldn't climb very high" she
said, and scorning his hand with a
tantallzing little grimace she leaped
rs lightly rs had he to the ground.
Two older women who sat about n
Kettle Of steaming clothes watched
her.
Look at Polly Conrad, won't ye?
declare that GAL"
Lyddy!" cried Polly bring Dawes
breakfastr'
At the door Of each log cabin. as
solidly built as a little fort, hunter
was cleaning long rifle. At the
Western O1 $v-o or ,tyt H.
ening the pickets of the palisade.
About the fire two mothers were
sucking babes at naked breasts.
At the fire a tall girl rose, pushed
mass Of sunburned hair from her
heated forehead. and flush not from
the fire fused with her smile.
Il reckon Dave can walk this far
he don't look very puny.'
A voice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one of the women about the
steaming kettle
"Honor!" she cried, "HoAor San
ders!"
In doorway near. third girl was
acknowledgement, deep-breasted
Honor" cried the old woman,
stop wastin' yo' time with that weaV-
IN in thar an come ont here an hep
these two gals TO git Dave his break
last Dave Yandell laughed loudly.
Come on, Honor" he called, but
'he girl turned and the whir of loom
started again like the hunming of
pees. Lydia Noe handed the hunter
pan of deer meat and corn bread.
and Polly poured him cup of steam
ing liquid made from sassafras
ieaves. Dave looked up into Polly's
black eyes, shifted to Lydia, swerved
10 the door whence came the whir of
the loom.
You are looking very handsome
thls morning, Polly" he said grarely,
and Lydia Is lovelier even than usual,
ana Honor is woodland dream" He
sh9ok his head. NO" he said, Il
really couldn't"
Couldn't what?" asked Polly,
though she knew some nonsense was
coming.