The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-08-31
"Of course I knew YOU she fal'

significance Of this too seemed to pass
ErSkine by, for he bent over Barbara's
hand and kissed ii.
"Never to you, my dear cousin" he
said CALAMITY, and then he bowed to
Dane Grey, not offering to shake
hands.
"Of course know Mr. Grey 10
say that the gentleman was dumfound'
ed is to put it mildly-this wild Indian
playing the courter with exquisite I'M
audience and doing it we'll! Harry
seemed Ike to burst with restrained
merrimpnt, and Barbara was Sorely
nut to it to keep her poise. The great
Timer bell from behind the house
hoonp,l its summons to the woods and
fields.
Come on" called Harry. 81 imagine
you're hungry. cousin
81 am said Erskine. 'I've had
nothing to eat Sinre-S!ncc early
MORN" Fairbanks eyes flashed upward
and Grey was plainly startled. Was
there slight stress on those two
words? Erskine's face was as express
sionleSS as bronze. Harry had boIted
into the hail.
Mrs. Dale. was visiting down tie
river. so Barbara sat In her mothers
place. with ErSkine at her right. Grey
to her left, Hugh neXt to BIN, aud
Harry a, the head. Harry did not wait
long.
"Now, 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 do? I've
heard good deal. but | want it ALL
Grey began to look uncomfortable,
and SO. in truth, did Barbara.
"Whal have you heard?' asked Frs
, kline quietly.
"Npver mind.' interposed Barbara
quickly; "yOu tell us"
"WeiI." began Erskine slowly, "you
remember that day we met some In
dams who told me that old kahtoO,
my foSterfather, was H,'and that he
wanted to see me before he died? I
, 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. | didn't want to be chief.
but did want influence In the tribe,
so | stayed. There was white wom-
an in the camp and an Indian girl
named Early Morn. told the old chief
that 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 | found
| could do nothing. I met Mr. Grey
there. He bowed slightly to Dane
and then looked at him steadily. II
| was told that he was there in the
interest Of an English fur company.
! When | found | could do nothing with
the Indians, told the council what
| had told the old chief" He paused.
B&rhara'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 you?'
Erskine smiled.
"Well, here | am. Jumped over
the heads of the outer ring and ran.
Firehy heard me calling him. l had
left his halter loose. He broke away.
jumped on him, and you know moth.
Ing can catch Firetly.'
Didn't they shoot at your"
"Of course" Again he paused.
SWELL" said Harry impatiently
that isn't the end"
, Il went back to the camp. Crooked
Lightning followed me ard they tied
me and were going to burn me at the
stake"
Good heavens" breathed Barbara
| How'd YOU get aWay?'
"The Indian girl Early Morn, Slipped
under the tent and cut me loose. The
white woman got my gun. and Firehy
you know nothing can catch FREELY
The silence was intense. Hugh looked
dazed, Barbara was on the point Of
tears, Harry was triumphant, and Gre,
was painfully flushed.
"And you want to know what I an
going to do now?' Erskine went on
I'm going with Capt. George Roger!
Clark-with what command are you
Mr.. Grey?"
That's secret" he smiled coolly
I'll let you know later and Barbara
with an inward sigh Of relief, ros'
quickly, but would not leave them be
hind. .....r...
"But the white woman?" question:,
Harry. "Why doesn't she leave tn,
, Indians?' t-. .
: EARLY Morn--a half.breed--is he
daughter" said Erskine simply.
"Oh!' and Harry questioned n,
| further.
early Morn was the best.lookin
:. Indian girl ! ever saw" said Erskine
and the bravest." For the first tim
Grey glanced at Barbara. "She save,
my life,' Erskine went on gravely