Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-12-07

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came. Black Wolf darted forth from
his wigwam, his eyes, bloodshot with
rage and drink. and his hunting knife
In his hand A cry from Early Morn
warned Erskine and he wheeled. As
Black Wolf made a vicious slash at
him he sprang aside, and with his
INST caught the savage In the Jaw.
Black Wolf fell heavily and Erskine
was upon him with mis- own knife at
his enemy's throat.
Stop theml" old Kahtoo cried
sEernly, but & was the terrified shrek
OF the white woman that stayed Frs
lines hand. Two young braves dis.
armed the fallen Indian, and Kahtoo
looked inquiringly at his adopted son.
Turn him loosei" Erskine scorned.
Il have no fear of him. He is a
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 hos
rifed cry. flashed from the tent, and
darted for the high cliff over the river.
Catch herl" cried the mother.
"Quick! !" Erskine fed after her, over
took her with her hands appraised for
the plunge on the very edge of the
cliff, and half carried her. struggling
and sobbing. back to the tent. With
In the girl dropped In weeping heap,
and with her face covered. and the
woman turned to Erskine, agonized.
II told her." she whispered. .'anG.
she was going to kill herself. You
are my sonl"
Still sleepless at dawn, the boy rode
Firef1y into the woods. At sunset he
came In, gaunt with brooding and hun
ger. His foster mother brought him
food, but he would not touch 1t. The
Indian woman stared at him with keen
suspicion. and presently old Kahtoo.
passing slowly, bent on him the same
look, bat asked no question. Erskine
gave no heed to either, but his mother,
watching from her wigwam, under
stood and grew fearful. Quickly she
stepped outside and called him, and
he rose and went to her bewildered:
she was smiling.
"They are watching" she said. and
Erskine too, understood, and kept his
back toward the watchers.
II have decided" he said You
and she must leave here and go with
me-
His mother pretended much dis
pleasure. 'She viii not leave. and /
will not leave i1er''-her lips trembled
land I would have gone long ago
but"
II understand" interrupted Erskine,
"but you will go now with your son."
The poor woman had TO scowl.
mo, and you must not tell them.
They will never let me go, and they
will use me to keep you here. You
must go at once. She will never leave
this tent as long as you are here. and
IL you stay she win die, or kin her
self. Some day" She turned
abruptly and went back into her tent.
Erskine wheeled and went to old Kah-
too.
"You want Early NORM" asked the
old man. "You shall have her"
mo" said the boy, Il am going
hack RI the bIg chfefn
"You are my son and am old and
weak"
Il am soldier and must obey the
big chiefs commands. as must you"
Il shall live" said the old man
YEARLY, until you come again"
Ersklne nodded and went for his
horse. Black Wolf watched him with
malignant satisfaction, but said moth
ing-nor did Crooked Lightning. Frs
kline turned once as he rode away.
His mother was standing outside her
wigwam. Mournfully she waved her
hand. Behind her and within the tent
he could see Early Morn with both
hands at her breast.