The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-13
.Erskine DaIe Pione
BY JOHN FOX JR.
Copyright 1919, 1890 Charles scrlbaeFs Sons

sec, nodded grayeIy, and proudly
tapped his breast.
"Palefacel" he half gruuted,
white mani"
The wilds were quiet. The boy
pointed to them and held up three
fingers TO indicate that there werc
only three red men there, and shook
his head to say there would be no
attack from them.
Whats your manor" The boy
shook his head and looked eagerly
around.
"Francais-French!" he asked,
and in turn the big woodsman shook
his. head - nobody there spoke
French.
However, Dave knew little
Shawnee, o good deal OF the sign
Language, and the boy seemed to
understand a good many words In
English; so that the big woodsman
pieced out his story with consider
able accuracy.
The Indians had crossed the Big
river. were as many as the leaves,
and meant to attack the whites. For
the first time they had allowed the
hoy to go on a war-party. Some
one had treated him hadly-he
pointed out the bruises OF cuffs and
kicks on his body.
Tho Indians called him White
Arrow, and he knew he was white
from the girdle OF untanned skin
under his breechclout and because
the Indian boys tainted him.
Asked why he had come to the
fort he pointed again TO his bruises,
put both hands against his breast,
and stretched them wide as though
no would seek shelter In the arms
OF his own race and take them to
his heart.
II.
Old Jerome and Dave and the old /,
or men gathered in for council
OF war. The boy had mnde it
plain that the attacking party was
two days behind the three Indians
from whom he had escaped, so that
there was no danger that day, aud
they could wait until night to send
messengers to warn the settlers
outside to seek safety within the
fort.
On the mighty wilderness the sun
sank slowly and old Jerome sent
runners to the outlying cabins to
warn the inmates to take refuge
within the fort. There was no set.
tier that was not accustomed to a
soft tapping on the wooden windows
that startled him wide awake. Then
there was the noiseless awakening
OF the household, noiseless dress.
ing Of the children-the mere whis.
per Of Indians" was enough to
keep them quiet-and the noiseless
slipping through the wilderness
for the oak picketed stockade.
And the gathering.in was none
too soon. The hooting OF owls
started before dawn. A flaming
arrow Kissed from the woods, thud.
ded into the roof of one Of the cab:
ins, sputtered feebly on a dew
drenched ridge-pole, and went out.
Savage war-whoops rent the air,
and the battle was on. AL day the
fight went on.
The stranger boy sat stocially in
the center Of the enclosure watch.
ing everything, and making no eff.
fort to take part, except twice when
he saw q gigantic Indian brandish.
ing his rifle at the edge Of the
woods, encouraging his compan-
ions behind. and each time. he
grunted and begged for gun.
Dave made out that the Indian was
the one who had treated the boy
cruelty and that the lad was after
a personal revenge.
A last sally was made lust before
sunset. A body pushed against
Dave in the tower and Dave saw
the stranger boy at his side with
his bow and arrow. A few minutes
later he heard a yell from the lad
which rang high over the din, and
he saw the feathered tip OF an ar.
row shaking In the breast OF the
big Indian who staggered and fell
behind bush. Just at that mo.
ment there were yells from the
woods behind--the wells Of white
men that were answered by joyful
yells within the fort:
"The Virginians! The Virgin.
ians!" And as tho rescuers dashed
into sight on horse and afoot, Dave
saw the lad leap tho wall, OF the
stockade and disappear behind the
fleeing Indians.
Gone back to EN-" he grunteL
to himself. The gates were thrown
open. Old Jerome and his men
rushed out, and besieged and rescu.
ers poured all their fire after the
running Indians, some Of whom
turned bravely to empty their rifles
once more.
cit in! Git in, quick!" yelled old
Joel. He knew another volley