Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-07-13
CHI /.

Streaks of red ran upward. and III
answer the great gray y of the
wilderness lifted it's mist-fringed lid.
From the green depths came the
f1uting of a lone woodthrush. A cou-
gar leaped from the low limb of an
oak, missed. and a shuddering deer
streaked through a forest aisle,
bounded into a little clearing. stoppeo
rigid. shifted a deadlier enemy, and
whirled into the wilderness again.
Still deeper in the depths a boy with
9 bow and arrow n k except
for scalp-lock and b~reech-clout,
sprang from sleep n again took
flight along a buffalo trail. Again,
not far behind him, three grunting
savages were taking up the print of
his ~moccasined feet.
An hour before a red fare rose
within the staked enclosure that was
reared in the center of the little
clearing, n above it smoke was
seen rising. Before the first glimmer
of day the gates yawned a little, and
three dim shapes appeared and NOV
ed leisurelyN for the woods-each man
with a long fintlock rifle in the hol-
low of his arm, a hunting knife in his
belt. and a coonskin cap on his head.
At either end of the stockade a watch
tower of oak became visible. and in
each a sleepy sentinel yawned and
smiled the welcome smell of frying
venison below him.
One sentinel rose towering to the
full of his stature. stretched his
mighty arms with a yawn. and lightly
leaped, rife in hand. into the en-
closure. A girl climbing the rude
ladder to the tower stopped midway.
"Mornin', Dave!"
'"Mornin', Polly!"
You don't seem to have much use
for this ladder"
mot niles I'm goin' up: and I
wouldn't then if I could jump as high
as I a fall" He went toward her
to help her down.
II wouldn't climb very high" she
said. and scorning his hand with a
tantalizing little grimace, she leaped
as lightly as had he to the ground.
Two older women who sat about a
kettle Of steaming clothes watched
her.
Look at Polly Conrad, won't We:
I declare that gal
'Lyddy!" cried Polly. bring Dawes
breakfast"
At the loo of each log cabin. as
solidfy built as a little fort. a hunter
was cleaning a long rife. At the
eping the pickets of the palisade.
About the fire two mothers yer
sucking babes at naked breasts.
At the fire a tall girl rose, pushed
q mass of s~unburned hair from her
heated forehead, n a flush not from
the fire fused with her smile.
II reckon Dave can walk this far
he don't look very puny."
A voice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one of the women about the
steaming kettle.
"Honor!" she cried. Honor San
ders!".
In a doorway e a third girl was
framed-deep-eyed. de~ep-breasted.
Honor" cried the old woman,
stop wastin' yo' time with that weav.
in in thar an come u here an
hep these two gals to git Dave his
breakfast" Dave Yandell Laughed
loudly.
Come on, Honor" he called, but
the girl turned and the whir of a
loom started again like the hum
ming of bees. Lydia Not handed the
hunter a pan Of deer meat and corr
bread. and Puliy poured him a cup
Of steaming liquid made from sassa-
fras leaves. Dave looked up into
Polfy's black eyes, shifted to Lydia,
swefved to the door whence came the
whir Of the loom.
this morning, Polly" he said grave
ly. and Lydia is lovelier even thar,
dream" He shook his head. mo"
he said, II really couldn't"
Couldn't what?' asked Polly.
though she knew some nonsense was
coming.
BE happy even with two, if t'other
we're far away"
II reckon you'll have to try some
day-with all Of US far away said
the gentle Lydia.
mo doubt. no doubt" He fell upon
Poor boy" said Lydia. and Polly
looked at her with q%uickening won
pathetic flourish.
And when the Virginia gallantz
come where will poor Dave be-"
II wonder said Lydia, 'if they'll
have long hair like Dave?" Dave
shook his long locks with mock pride
Yes. but it won't be their own.
an it'll be powdered"
Lord, I'd like to see the first In
dian who takes one Of their scalps."
Polly Laughter. but there was a shud-
der in Lydia's smile. Dave rose.
TIN going to sleep till dinner
don't let anybody wake me- he said,
and at once both girls were serious
and kind.
W won't Dave.
Cow bells began to cang at the
edge Of the forest.
There they are" cried Polly. '..Come
on. Lyddy." The young hunter en-
tered a door and within threw him.
self acroas a rude bed. face DOWN.
"Honor!" cried n Of the old
water" The whir stopped instantly
the girl stepped With a sort of SLOW
majesty from the cabin, and entering
the next, paused on the threshold a.