The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-11
ERSKINE DALE-P
PIONEER


4. nothing to eat sInce-since early
= MORN Barbara's eyes flashed upward
and Grey was plainly startled. Was
!. there a slight stress on those two
words7 Erskine's face was as express
sionless as bronze. Harry had bolted
, into the hall.
Mrs. Dale was visiting down the
river, so Barbara sat In her mothers
place. with Erskine at her right, Grey
to her left, Hugh next TO him, and
Harry at the head. Harry did not wait
, long.
Nov, you White Arrow, you Big
Chief, tell US the story. Where have
you been, what have you been doing,
and what do you mean to dor I've
heard a good deal, but l want 1t ALL"
Grey began to look uncomfortable,
and so, In truth, did Barbara.
"What have you heardr asked Frs
kline quietly.
Never mind" interposed Barbara
quickly; you tell u.s."
WELL" began Erskine slowly, you
remember that day we met some In
dams who told me that old Kahtoo,
| my lOSlti-ldlHtit was III, anu Lildl lie
wanted to see me before he died7
went exactly as would have gone had
white men given the same message
from Colonel Dale, and even for bet
ter reasons. A bad prophet was stir
ring up trouble In the tribe against
the old chief. An enemy Of mine.
Crooked Lightning, was helping him.
| He wanted his son, Black Wolf, as
| chief, and the old chief wanted me.
heard the Indians were going to join
the British. l didn't want to be chief,
but l did want influence in the tribe,
so / stayed. There was a white wom-
an In the camp and an Indian girl
named Early Morn. told the old chief
that l would fight with the whites
against the Indians and with the
whites against them both. Crooked
Lightning overheard me, and you can
imagine what use he made of what
said. / took the wampum belt for the
old chief to the powwow between the.
Indians and the British, and 1 found
l could do nothing. | met Mr.. Grey
there" He bowed slightly to Dane
and then looked at him steadily. 81
was told that he was there In the
interest of an English fur company.
When 1 found l could do nothing with
the Indians, / told the council what
| had told the old chief" He paused.
Barbara's face was pale and she was
breathing hard. She had not looked at
Grey, but Harry had been watching
him covertly and he did not look COM
Portable. Erskine paused.
WHAT" shouted Harry. "You told
both that you would fight with the
whites against both What'd they do
to your"
Erskine smiled.
well, here l am. / Jumped over
the heads of the outer ring and ran.
Firehy heard me calling him. / had
left his halter loose. He broke away.
l jumped on him, and you know moth
ing can catch FREELY"
Didn't they shoot at your"
"Of course" Again he paused.
WELL" said Harry impatiently,
that isn't the end"
Il went back to the camp. Crooked
Lightning followed me and they tied
me and were going to burn me at the
stake"
Good heavensl" breathed Barbara.
How'd you get away?"
''The Indian girl, Early Morn. slipped
lnder the tent and cut me loose. The
white woman got my gun, and Firedy
you know nothing can catch Firef1y."
The silence was Intense. Hugh looked
lazed, Barbara was on the point of
ears. Harry was triumphant, and Grey
vas painfully flushed.
And you want to know what I am
DING to do now7' Erskine went on.
Tn going with Capt George Rogers
'lark-with what command are you,
fr. Grey?"
THAT'S secret" he smiled coolly.
I'll let you know later" and Barbara.
nth an inward sigh of relief, rose
uickly. but would not leave them be-
ind
but the white woman2" questioned
larry. "Why doesn't she leave the
EARLY Morn-a balf-breed-is her
aughter," said Erskine simply.
"Ohl" and Harry questioned no
Irther.
EARLY Morn was the best-looking
ldian girl l ever saw" said Erskine,
md the bravest." For the first time
rey glanced at Barbara. "She saved
y life" Erskine went on gravely,
md mine is hers whenever she needs
!" Harry reached over and gripped
s hand.
AS yet not one word had been said -
Grey's misdoing, but Barbara's cool
sdain made him shamed and hot, and
her eyes was the sorrow of her in
stfce to Erskine. In the hallway she
cused herself with a. courtesy, Hugh
ent to the stables, Harry disappeared
moment, and the two were left
one. With smoldering fire Erskine
rned to Grey.
1T seems YOU have been amusing
urself with my kinspeople at my ex-
nse." Grey drew himself up in
WNI