The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-09-21
Illustrated by RHLtWn&8Stone .

sweep through Kentucky, batter down
the wooden forts, and force the Ken
tuckisns behind the great mountain
wall Ersklne would be needed D!
the whites, who would never under
stand or trust him If he should stay
with the Indians. All this she spoke
one day when Ersklne came to hel
ten, TO talk. Her face had blancheo'
she had argued passionately that ne
must 90, and Ersklne was sorely puz-
zled. The girl, too, had grown reoel-
lious and dlsobedlent for the change
,, In her mother was plain also to hef'
and she could not understand More,
over, Erskine's stubbornness grew ana
he began to flame within at the stalk,
ing insolence Of Black Wolf VINO
| slipped through the shadows OF Gay
| and the dusk to spy on the two where-
ever they came together. And one
dsy when the sun was midway, ana
in the open Of the village, the ciasf
came Black Wolf darted forth from
his wigwam, his eyes bloodshot win
rage and drink, and his hunting knife
IN his hand. A cry from Early Morn
warned Erskine and he wheeled AS
Black Wolf made vicious SLASH at
him he sprang aside, and with MS
fist caught the savage in the jaw
Black Wolf fell heavily and Ersklne
was upon him with bis own knife at
his enemys throat. ,
"Stop them!" old Kahtoo crlea
sternly, but 1t was the terrified shrleS
Of the white woman that stayed Ers'
kine's hand. Two young braves dis.
armed the fallen Indian, and kahtoo
looked inquiringly at his adopted son.
Turn him loose!" Erskine scorned.
Il have no fear Of him. lie Is q
woman and drunk, but next time !
shall kill him."
The white woman had run down.
caught Early Morn, and was leading
her back to her tent. From inside
presently came low, passionate plead
Ing from the woman and an occasional
sob from the girl. And when an hour
later, at dusk, Erskine turned upward
| toward the tent the girl gave q nor
rifed cry, flashed from the tent, and
| darted for the high cliff over the river
"Catch herr" cried the mother
Quick" Ersklne fed after her, over
took her with her hands upralsed FOL
the plunge on the very edge OF tn
cliff, and half carried her, struggling
and sobbing, back to the tent. with
In the girl dropped In a weeping heap
and with her face covered, and tn
woman turned to Erskine, agonized
II told her." she whispered, "ant
she was going to kill herself. Yo'
are my SON.
Still sleepless at dawn. the boy rod
:. Flredy into the woods. At sunset n
came In, gaunt with brooding and hun
ger. His foster mother brought hlr
$ food, but he would not touch 1t. Tn
!. Indian woman stared at him with kee
/. suspicion, and presently old kahtot
passing slowly, bent on him the sam
\ look, but asked no question. Erskin
gave no heed to either, but his mother
= watching from her wigwam, unde'
stood and grew fearful. Quickly 81
stepped outside and cvlled him, an
he rose and went to her bewlldered
Is she was smiling.
"They are watching" she said, an
? Erskine, too, understood, and kept b
o back toward the watchers.
e II have decided he said. "Yo
Is and she must leave here and 80 wit
a me-"
lie His mother pretended much di
t. pleasure. "She viii not leave. and
ls will not leave her"-her lips trembls
y land / would have gone long al
t. but"
" ~ understand" interrupted Erskln
le "but you will 60 now with your son
Is The poor woman had to scowl.
IS mo, and you must not tell thel
II. They will never let me 60, and tn
q, will use me to keep you here. "
20 must 20 at once. She will never lea
10 this tent as long as you are here, al
~ II you stay she will die, or kill he
III self. Some day" She turn
o. abruptly and went back into her tel
ne Ersklne wheeled and went to old Ka
VI too.
he "You want Early Morn?" asked I
m old man. "You shall have her."
IN NO. said tlo boy, II am goi
20 back to the big chief"
n "You are my son and ] am old al
VI weak"
II am a soldier and must obey t
is big chiefs commands, as must you"
: II shall live said the old nj
u YEARLY, ''undl you come again.
y Erskine nodded and went for /
~ horse. Black Wolf watched him wi
70 malignant satisfaction, but said NOT
., - ing-nor did Crooked Lightning. 81
,e kline turned once as he rode avs
- His mother was standing outside h
= wigwam. Mournfully she waved h
y hand. Behind her and within the te
8 he could see Early Morn with DO
:, hands at her breast.
CHAPTER XIV