The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1922-07-20

Just before sunset rifle-shots sound
ed In the distance-the hunters were
coming in -and the ACCOMMODATING
whoops meant great success. Each Of
three bucks carried a deer over his
shoulders, and foremost OF the three
was Crooked Lightning, who barely
paused when he saw Erskine, and
then with an insoIent glare and grunt
passed him and tossed his deer at the
feet of the squaws- The boys hand
slipped toward the handle of his toma-
hawk, but some swift instinct kept him
still. The savage must have had good
reason for such open defiance, for the
lad began to feel that many others
shared in his. hostility and he began
to wonder and speculate.
Quickly the feast was prepared and
the boy ate apart-his oster-mother
bringing him food-but he could hear
the story of the days hunting and the
illusions to the prowess of Crooked
Lightning's son, Black Wolf. who was
Erskine's age, and he knew they were
but slurs against himself.
Fresh wood was thrown on the fire,
and as its light leaped upward the lad
saw an aged Indian emerge from one
of two tents that sat apart on a little
rise-saw him lift both hands toward
the stars for a moment and then re-
turn within.
"Who is that" he asked
'The new prophet" said his mother.
'He has been but one moon here and
has much power over our young men,"
An armful of pine fagots was tossed
on the blaze, and in whittier leap of
light he saw the face of woman at
the other tent-saw her face and for
a moment met her eyes before she
shrank back-and neither face nor
eyes belonged to an Indian. Startled
he caught his mother by the wrist and
all but cried out:
"And that?' The old woman hest
tated and scowled: =
"a paleface Kahtoo bought her
and adopted her but"-the old woman
gave little cultural cluck of tri-
umph-"she dies tomorrow Kahtoo
will burn her"
Burn herr" burst out the boy
''The palefaces have killed many OF
Kahtoo's KIM"
A little later when he was passing
near the white woman's tent a girl sal
in front of 1t pounding corn in a NOR
tar. She looked up at him and, star
ing, smiled. She had the skin of the
half-breed, and he stopped, startled by
that fact and her beauty-and went
quickly on. At old Kahtoo's lodge he
could not help turning to look at her
again. and this time she rose quickly
and slipped within the tent. He turned
to find his foster-mother watching him
"Who is that grip The old woman
looked displeased.
Daughter of the white woman
'fDoes she known"
Neither knows
what is her name?"
"Early Morn"
Early Morn and daughter Of the
white woman-he would like to know
more of those two, and he half turned,
but the old Indian woman caught him
by the arm:
''Do not go there-you will only
make more trouble"
He followed the flash of her eyes
to the edge of the freight where a
young Indian stood watching and
scowling:
'Who Is that?'
'sBlack Wolf, son of Crooked Light
ming"
"Ah!'' thought Erskine.
Within the old chief called family
and the Indian woman motioned the
lad to go within. The old mans dim
eyes had new fire.
"Talk!" he commanded, and mo-
toned to the ground, but the lad did
not squat Indian fashion, but stood
straight with arms folded, and the
chief knew that conflict was coming.
Narrowly he watched White Arrows
face and bearing-uneasily felt the
strange new power Of him.
81 have been with my own people"
said the lad simply, "the palefaces
tains, on and on almost to the big wa
tiers. I found my kin. They are many
and strong and rich. They, too, were
kind to me. I came because you had
been kind and because you were sick
and because you had sent for me. and
to keep my word.
81 have seen Crooked Lightning. His
heart is bad. I have seen the new
prophet. I do not like him. And
have seen the white woman that you
are to burn tomorrow" The lad
stopped His every word had been of
defense or Indictment and more than
once the old chiefs eyes shifted un-
easily.
The dauntlesS mien of the boy his
steady eyes, and his bold truthfulness,
pleased the old man. The lad must
take his place as chief Now White
Arrow turned questioner:
ST told you / would come when the
leaves fell and I am here. Why is
Crooked Lightning here? Why is the
new prophet? Who is the woman?
What has she done that she must die2
What is the peace talk you wish me
to carry north?''