The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-08-03

Wllucdt uuiIHS uAS 0uSSh>S' A1o'A! 'A>
women disappeared, soon the men be-
gan to yawn and stretch, and the sen.
.lnds went to the watch-tOwers, fol
here had been Indian signs that day.
This news thrilled the eastern lads,
and they too turned into the same bed
built out from the wall Of one OF the
cabins and covered with bearskins.
And Harry, just before his eyes closed
saw through the open door Erskine
seated alone, the connecting-llnk be-
between the tidewater aristocrats and
these rude pioneers, between these ;
backwoodsmen ,and the savage enc
mics out in the black enclrcllng vii.
derneSs. And that boys brain was in
q turmOil-what was to be his fate,
there, here, or out there where he had
promised to 90 at the next falling OF
the leaves?
=
The green of the wilderness dulled
and burst into the yellow of the buck
eve, the scarlet of maple and the rus
set of oak. This glory in turn dulled
and the leaves, like petals Of withered
flowers, began to drift to the earth.
Through the shower of them went
Erskine and Flrefy, who had become
as used to the wilds as to the smiling
banks of the far-away James. And
the two now were one in mutual affec-
ton and a mutual understanding that
was uncanny.
The boy was the son Of king again,
and as such was on his way in answer
to the wish of king. For food he
carried only a little sack of salt, for
his rife would bring him meat anu
the forest would give him nuts anu
fruit. When the sun was nearing its
highest. he "barked" squirrel from
| the trunk of beech; toward sunset
fat pheasant futtered from the
| ground to low limb and he shot IT'D
head off and camped for the night.
On the second day he reached the
broad buffalo trail that led to the salt
ticks and on to the river. and then
memories came. He remembered q
place where the Indians had campe(
after they had captured himself ant
his mother. In his mind was fain|
picture of her sitting against 4 ire
and weeping and Of an Indian striking
her to make her stop and Of himsel
leaping at the savage like little wild
cat, whereat the others laughed lik
children. Farther on, next day. wa
the spot where the Indians had sepa
rated them and he saw his mother n
more. They told him that she ma
been taken back to the whites, but h
was told later that they had kille
her because in their flight from tn
: whites she was holding them back to
much. Farther on was a spot whel
they had hurried from the trail an
thrust him into a hollow log, barrir
the exit with stones, and had left hi
for day and night.
On the seventh day he was nearil
the village. where the sick chief Ia
b and when he caught sight Of the te
] PEGS in a little creek bottom, he FIR
d his rife, and putting FireAy. into
n gallop and with right hand high, swe
l. into the village. Several bucks h
!. caught up bow or rife at the rept
/. Of the gun and the clatter Of hoo
/. but their hands relaxed when tn
h saw his sign Of peace. The squa'
y gathered and there were grunts
h recognition and greeting when the b
l. pulled up in their midst. The flaps
Y the chiefs tent parted and his fost'
It mother started toward him with Z ~
q den stream Of tears and turned quiz
d ly back. The old. chiefs keen bla
t. eyes were waiting for her and
y spoke before she could open her LIZ
e "White Arrow! It Is well. Here
is Oncel"
N Erskine had swung from his hol
"a and followed. The old chief measur
ID him from head to foot slowly and
s. face grew content:
n "Show me the hOrse!!'
is The boy threw back the flaps Of I
it tent and with gesture babe an
W dian to lead FireAy to and fro. 7
re horse even thrust his beautiful he
If over his masters shoulder and lOol
le within, snorting gently. Kaht
re waved dismissal:
X "Y0u must ride north soon to cal
the white wampum and a peace ia
!" And when you 60 you must hurry ba
lg for when the sun Is highest on
IS day after you return, my spirit Y
is pass
Us And thereupon he turned his Il
he and went back Into sleep.
Just before sunset rifle. shots SOU
ed In the distance-the hunters W
re coming ln-and the accompany