Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-07-21
"Never to You, My Dear Cousin"

NoNST " IOu, WY bSoi SSuSHi-
Chief. tell us Tie Story. Where have
you been, what have you been doing,
and what do you mean to do1 I've
heard q good deal, but I want 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 u.s."
"Well," began Erskine slowly, "you
remember that day we met some In
dams who told me that old Kahtoo,
my foster-father, was Ill, and that he
wanted to see me before he died? /
went exactly as would have gone had
white men given the same message
from Colonel Dale, and even for bet
ter reasons. A bad prophet was STIR
ring I'D 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.
l heard the Indians were going to join
the British. l didn't want to be chief,
but l did want influence In the tribe
so I stayed. There was white wom-
an in the camp and an Indian girl
named Early Morn. told the old chief
that l 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 l
said. ! took the wampum belt for the
old chief to the pOwwow between the
Indians and the British, and l found
l could do nothing. l met Mr.. Grey
there" He bowed Slightly to Dane
and then looked at him steadily. u
was told that he was there in the
interest Of an English fur company.
When I found l could do nothing with
the Indians, I 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.
"Whatw shouted Harry. "You told
both that you would fight with the
whites against both! Whatd they do
to yOu?'
Erskine smiled.
"WeIl, here 1 am. / Jumped over
the heads of the outer ring and ran.
Firetly heard me calling him. l had
left his halter loose. He broke away.
1 jumped on him. and you know moth
ing can catch Firetly."
Didn't they shoot at you"
"Of course" Again he paused.
"Well," said Harry impatiently,
that isn't the end"
II 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 awayT
"The Indian girl, Early Morn, slipped
under the tent and cut me loose The
white woman got my gun, and Fireny
YOU know nothing can catch Fireny"
The silence was intense. Hugh looked
daZcd, Barbara was on the point of
tears Harry was triumphant, and Grey
was painfully flushed.
"And you want to know what l am
going to do nOw?" ErSkine went on.
I'm going with Capt George Rogers
Clark-wth what command are you,
Mr.. Grey?"
"That'S n secret" he smiled coolly.
"I'll let you know LATER" and Barbara.
with IN inward sigh Of relief. rose
quickly, but would not leave them be-
hind
"But the white woman" questioned
Harry. "Why doesn't she leave the
indians"
ga ~ Morn-a .half-breed-is her
daughter" said Ersiine simply. -
."0h" and Harry questioned no
further. -
|. "ENrly Morn was the best-lOoking
Indian girl ever saw" said Erskine,
'.and the bravest". I1or the first time
afsA : Gs o ~ 4" !sS- q SO