The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-25

came. Black Wolf darted forth from
his wlgwam. 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
fist caught the savage in the jaw.
Black Wolf fell heavily and Erskine
was upon him with his own knife at
his enemy's throat.
"StOp them +" old Kahtoo cried
sternly, but 1t was the terrified shrek
of the white woman that stayed Frs
kine's hand Two young braves dis
armed the fallen Indian. and Kahtoo
looked inquirngly at his adopted son.
'Turn him loose" Erskine scorned.
II 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
idltl. at uuSk, luintu uPWdlu
toward the tent. the girl gave hor-
rified cry, flashed from the tent, and
darted for the high cliff over the river.
Catch herr cried the mother.
"Quick !" Ersklne fled after her, over
took her with her hands upraised 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 a weeping heap,
and with her face covered, and the
woman turned to Erskine, agonized.
81 told her." she whispered, "and
she was going to kill herself. You
are my sonl"
Still sleepless at dawn, the boy rode
Firefly 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 it. The
Indian woman stared at him with keen
suspicion, and presently old Kahtoo,
passing slowly, bent on him the same
look, but 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.
81 have decided" he said. you
and she must leave here and go with
me-"
His mother pretended much dis
pleasure. "She will not leave. and 1
will not leave her"-her lips trembled
land 1 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 20 at once. She will never leave
this tent as long as you are here and |
if you stay she will die, or kill her
self. Some day" She turned |
abruptly and went back into her tent.
Erskine wheeled and went to old Kah-
too.
"You want Early Morn?" asked the
old man. "You shall have her"
mo- said the boy. 81 am going
back to the big chief"
"You are my son and am old and
weak"
IL am a soldier and must obey the
big chiefs commands, as must you"
81 shall live" said the old man
YEARLY. until you come again"
Ersline 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.