Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-11-16
PIONEER

4
morn" Barbara's eyes dashed upward
and Grey was plainly startled. Was
there slight stress on those two
wordsf Erskine's face was as express
sionleas 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.
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 dor I've
heard good deal, but ws7t 1t ALL
Grey began to look uncomfortable,
and SO. in truth, did Barbara.
What have you heardT" asked Frs
kline quietly.
Never mind" interposed Barbara
quickly; "you tell us"
well" began Erskine slowly, s'you-
remember that day we met some In
dams who told me that old Kahtoo.
my foster-father, was i'll, and that he
wanted to see me before he died7 L
went exactly as would have gene 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 ana 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 fer the
old chief to the powwow between the
Indians and the British, and found
could do nothing. / 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.
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 bothl What'd they do
to your
Erskine smiled.
"Well, here ! am. / Jumped over
the heads of the outer ring and ran.
Fireasy heard me calling him. / had
left his halter loose He broke away.
jumped en- him. and you know moth
ing can catch Firefy."
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 and they tied
me and were going to burn me at the
stake"
Good heavens!" breathed Barbara.
How'd you get away7"
'The Indian girl. Early Morn, slipped
under the tent and cat me loose. The
white woman got my gun, and Firefy
you know nothing can catch Firefly."
The silence was intense. Hugh looked
dazed. Barbara was on the point Of
tears, Harry was triumphant, and Grey
was painfully flushed.
And you want to know what am
going to do now?' Erskine vent on.
I'm going with Capt George Rogers
Clark with what command are you,
Mr.. Grey9"
That's secret he smiled coolly.
'T'll let you know Inter-" and Barbara,
with an inward sigh Of relief, rose
quickly, but would not leave them be-
hind.
''But the white woman7" questioned
Harry. "Why doesn't she leave the
| Tndians7"
| Early Morna half-breed--is her
daughter" said Erskine simply.
"Oh!n and Harry questioned no
further.
"Early Morn was the best-looking
Indian girl / ever saw" said Erskine,
''and the bravest." For the first time
Grey glanced at Barbara. "She saved
my life" Erskine went on gravely.
''and mine is hers whenever she needs
It," Harry reached over and gripped
| his hand.
AS yet not one word had been said
Of Grey's mIsdoing, but Barbara's cool
disdain made him shamed and hot, and
in her eyes was the sorrow Of her In
justice TO Erskine. In the hallway she
excused herself with courtesy, Hugh
went to tine stables, Harry disappeared
for a moment. and the two were left
alone With smoldering FIRE Erskine
turned to Grey.
sit seems You have been amusing
yourself with my kinspeople at my ex-