The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-02-15


From the green depths came the
tlutin- OF a lone woodthrush. Through
them an owl Flew ON volvcty wings
Tor his home a. the heart of 4 pri-
meval poplar
pcep In the dcptuS hoy with a
how and arrow and naked. except
for scalp-lock and brccch.clout. sprang
from sleep and again took flight
along buffalo trail. Not far be.
hind him. three -runtinc savages were
taking up the print of his moe.
cisinel fcct
Am hour before red flare rose
within tine staked enclosure that was
reared in the center of little clear
ine. Before the first slimmer of day
the gates yawncl "a little and three
dim shapes moved lesurely for the
woods-each man with long flint.
loci; rifle in the hollow Of his arm,
hnnting.knife In his belt and a
coonsl,n cap ON his head.
Al either end Of the siockade a
watch.tower of oak became visible
and ia each n sleepy sentinel yawned
and shifted the welcome smell of
frying yenson below him
\ girl climbing the rude ladder to
the tower stopped midway.
"M1rnin', Dave
"Mornin'. Pollyr'
Il wa scomin' TO wake you up"
she smiled.
Il Just walked up, he yawned hu.
mcrne the jest.
"Lyddy cried Polly, bring Dawes
breakfast"
At the fire n tall girl rose. pushed
mass OF sunburned hair from her
neatcd forehead. and a flush not
from the fire fused with her smile.
Il reckon Dave can walk this FAR
he don't look very puny."
\ voice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one OF the women about the
steaming kettle.
Honor She cried. Honor san.
dcrsr
In q doorway near. third girl
was fIamed-deep.eyed deep-breasted.
Honorr' cried the old woman,
stop wastin' yo' time with that
weavin' in thar an come out here an
hep these two gals TO git Dave his
breakfast" Dave Yandell laughed
loudly,
Cow.bells began to clang at the
edge Of the forest.
There they are" cried Polly
"Ccme on. Lyddy."
Tho two girls picked up piggins
and squeezed through the opening be
twecn the heavy gates. The young
hunter entered a door and within
threw himself across rude bed, face
down.
Honor" cried one Of the old WON
on, ''you go an git a bucket o
wafer"
\ few minutes later she was at the
,pring and ladling water into her
loil with 4 gourd.
Honor dipped lazily
Boo," cried Polly. startling her
and then teasinsly:
Are you in love with Dave, too
rIonor?"
The girl reddencd
rs Honor turned abruptly for tht
fort. shot came from the wood,
followed by war.whoop that stopped
ihe blood shuddcring in their veins
oh. my Cod" each cried. ant
catching at their wet skirts they flet
IN terror through the long grass.
They heard the quick cornmotion il
the fort. heard sharp commands. erie
~ warning. frantic calls for them I,
hurry. saw strained faces at the gates
saw Dave hound through and rusl
toward them.
"Glt in--ever 'body-s!t in-Quickw
From watch.tower. too. ritl
had cracked. \ naked savage hat
bounded Into a spot OF sunlight tina
auivercd on the buffalo trail! a huu
dfcd yards deep m the forest an
leaped lithely aside into the bushe
both rifles had missed.
From the tower Old Jerome sax
reeds begin To shake in a canebrak
lee the left Of The sprng,
81 look thar" he called. and thre
rifles. with his own. covered the spo
\ small brown arm was thrust abov
thc shaking reeds. with the palm 4
the hand toward the fort--thc pcac
slfn ~ the Indian.
\ moment later & naked hoy spnn
from the c1ne.brlke and ran towar
the blockhouse, with "a bow ana u,
row 40 his lefy hand and his righ
stretched above HE head. ns pleadIn
palm sull outward
Let him In shouted Jerome. an
as pnve opened The gates anothe
arrow hurtled between the boys ul
raised arm and his hody and stuc
uulvering in oue Of its upright lar
Tho boy elid ihrouEh and stood pan
las. shrinking. wildeycj
The arrow had rrazed his skin. an
when Dave lifted his arm and locke
ot Tue oosiug drops of blood hc ray
startled oath. Tor he saw flas
cr white under the loosened brccc'
clout below. TIE hoy understoo,
quickly he pushed The clout ust
On hls thigh that an mlvht sc
nodded gravci" md proudly nnp,
This breast"
''Palciacer he half sruntcd whit
m1ny'
The wilds were quiet The D,
iolnted TO them and held Up thr'
fingers 20 indicate that there wei
Unly three red men thprr. and shoe
h.s head 10 say there would De- d
attack from them.
What's your nameP The b'
shook hls head aud looked eager
around.
"Francais-French2 he asked. ~
IN turn the big woodsman shook Ia
hoad--noboi, there spoke French.
How ever. Dave know little SHAY