The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-13

49, H
wilderness lifted its mlst-fringed
Id From the green depths came
the fluttng of a lone woodthtusa
Through them an owl flew on vel
yety wings for his home in the
heart Of a prlmeval poplar.
Deep In the depths a boy with Z
bow and arrow and naked, except
III for Bcafp.Iock and breech-ciout
spTang from sleep and again tool
flight along q buffalo trail. Not fai
Sbehind him, three grunting savage.
were taking up the print OF his moe
casined feet.
An hour before q red flare rose
within the staked enclosure thai
was reared in the center OF a little
clearing. Before the first giimmel
Of day the gates yawned d LITTLE
and three dim shapes. moved lets
urely for the woods-each man Will
9 long ntntlock rifle in the hol
1owo his arm, a hunting.kniie II
his belt and coonskin cap on hi!
head.
At either end OF the stockade {
watch-tower OF oak became visible
and in each a sleepy sentine
yaWned and shifted the welcome
smell Of frying venISon below him
y Asgirl climbing the rude ladder
to the tower. stopped midway.
Mornin'. Daye!g
e btorntn', Polly!" y
q was comm to wake you up
she smiled.
! Just walked up" he yawned
fhumoring the jest. :.
1syddyn' cried Polly. bring
Daye's breakfast"
Atsthe fire o tall girl rose, push
ed q mass OF sunburned hair. from
her heated forehead, and flush
not from the fire fused with hel
smile. .&
Y teckon Dave can walk this fal
he don't look very puny."
Ayoice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one OF the women about the
steaming kettle.
.tHonor!" she cried, Honor San
dersts'9
n in q doorway near, a third cir
was framed = deep-eyed, deep
breasted.
''Honor!" cried the old woman
stop wast1n' go time with thai
weaSin. In thar an come out hert
an help these two gals 10 git Dave
his breakfast" Dave Yandel
laughed loudly.
Cow:bells began to, clang at ths
edge OF the forest.
There they are" cried Polly
Come on, Lyddy."
The two girls picked up plggins
and squeezed through the opening
between the heavy gates. The young
hunter entered a door and within
threw himself across a. rude bed
face down. i-+ n
stHonor!" cried one of the OLD
women, "you so an git q bucket o
water"
Anew minutes later sheywas al
She spring and ladllng water into
ii Ter pail with q gourd.
Honor dipped lazily.
-Booip cried Polly, startling her
and then teasingly: {
Are you In love with Dave, too
Honor -
The girl Redeemed. S.,-
AS Honor turned abruptly for The
fort, a shot came from the woodl
followed by q war-whoop. that stop
ped the blood shuddering in theil
h veins.
ron, my God!" each cried, ant
K catching at their wet skirts they
lied In terror through the lonl
They heard the quick commotior
in thee fort, heard sharp commands
cries OF warning, frantic calls fol
them to hurry saw strained face!
II the gates, saw Dave bount
through and rush toward them.
eGit In - everybody - git in
iuickI"
Roma watch-tower, too, a rifle
lad cracked. A naked savage has
bounded into spot Of sunlight thai
luiycred on the buffalo trail hun
sred yards deep in the forest ant
ieaped litholy aside into the bushe!
both rifles had missed.
n From the tower old Jerome saw
Feeds begin to shake In a cane
brake to the left Of tho spring.
Eook thar."".te called, and tire,
lilies, with his own, covered the
Hpok. "A small brown arm wa.
thrust above the shaking reeds
with the palm Of the hand towarC
HE fort-the peace sign OF the In
dian. 4
a moment, later q naked DO,
gprang from the caue-brake ant
ran toward the blockhouse, with 8
bow and arrow in his left hand ant
is right stretched above his head
rs pleading palm still outward.
+ stIet him int" shouted Jerome
and as Dave opened the gates ar
pther arrow hurtled between til,
boys appraised arm and his bod,
aud stuck quivering in one OF III
upright bars. The boy slid through
md stood painting, shrinking, wild
eyed.
The arrow had grazed his skin
md when Dave lifted his arm ant
loolred at the oozing drops OF bloot
helgnye startled oath, for he saw
lash OF white under the loosenet
hreeeh.clout below. The boy under
stood. Quickly he pushed the chou
aside on his thigh that all nigh
AlEs.| -