The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-08-04
CHAPTER VII

The Indian boys were plunglng into
the river when Erskine appeared at
the opening of the old chiefs tent
next morning, and when they came
out icicles were clinging to their hair
He had forgotten the custom and he
shrugged his shoulders at his mothers
Inquiring look. But the next morning
when Crooked Lightning's son Black
Wolf passed him with a haunting
smile he changed his mind
"Wait ~ he said. He turned, stripped
quickly to breech-clout, pointed to a
beech down and across the river, chal-
longing Black Wolf to a race. To
gether they plunged In and the boys
white body Glove through the water
like the arrow that he was. At the
beech he whipped about to meet the
angry face of his competitor ten yards
behind. Halfway back he was more
than twenty yards ahead when he
heard strangled cry. Perhaps 1t was
a ruse to cover the humiliation of de- !
feat. but when he saw bucks rushing |
for the river bank he knew that the |
Icy water had brought a cramp to
Black Wolf so he turned, caught the |
lad by his topknot, towed him shore
ward dropped him contemptuously,
and stalked back to his tent. His
mtoher had built fire for him. and |
the old chief looked pleased and proud.
my spirit shall not pass" he said,
and straightway he rose and dressed,
and to the establishment of the tribe
emerged from his tent and walked
firmly about the village until he found
Crooked lightning.
"You would have Black Wolf chief"
he said. every we'll We shall see
who can show the better right-your
son or White Arrow"--a challenge that
sent Crooked Lightning to brood
awhile in his tent, and then secretly to
consult the prophet.
Later the old chief talked long to
White Arrow. The prophet, he said,
had been with them but little while.
He claimed that the Great Spirit had
made revelations to him alone. What
manner of man was he, questioned the
he have ponies and pelts and
erked meat?
He Is poor" said the chief. "He
mas only wife and children and the
ribe feeds him."
White Arrow himself grunted = 1t
vas the first sign of his old life stir
ing within him.
'Why should the Great Spirit pick
'ut such man to favor?" he asked.
The chief shook his head
Crooked Lightning has found much
avor with him. and In turn with the
thers, so that | have not thought II
fise to tell Crooked Lightning that he
aust go. He has stirred up the young /
len against me-and against you.
hey were waiting for me to die" The :
oy looked thoughtful and the chief
-aited He had not reached the aim
( his speech and there was no need
} put II in words, for White Arrow
Il will show them" he said quietly.
When the two appeared outside,
any braves had gathered, for the
hole village knew what was in the
ind. Should II be a horse race first1
rocked Lightning looked at the boys
thoroughbred and shook his head
dian ponies would as well try to out
In an arrow, bullet, hurricane.
A foot-race? The old chief smiled
hen Crooked Lightning shook his
'ad again-no brave In the tribe even =
uld match the speed that gave the
d his name. The bow and arrow,
e rifle. the tonlahawk? Tomahawks
Id bows and arrows were brought =
It. Black Wolf was half head
orter. but stocky and powerfully
lit. White Arrows sinews had 6
but he had scarcely used
w and tomahawk since he had left X
e tribe. He had the power but not n
e practice. and Black Wolf won al
tn great ease. When they came to b
e rifle. Black Wolf was out OF the
me- for never bulI's-eye did White
row miss.