The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-07-28
PIONEER


had slain. But If the Indians were
falling into evil ways and following
evil counsels, his heart was sad.
II will come when the leaves fall, 4"
he concluded but Crooked Lightning
must pitch his lodge in the wilderness
until he can show that his heart is
good" And then with an imperious
gesture he waved his hand toward the
west:
'Now goi"
1t was hard even for Dave to realize
that the lad to all purposes. was actu-
ally then the chief of a powerful tribe.
and even he was a little awed by the
instant obedience Of the savages, who,
without word, melted into the bushes
and disappeared. Dave recovered him
self with little chuckle only when
without a word Erskine clucked Fire
fly forward, quite unonsciously taking
the lead. Nearing sunset, from
little hill Dave pointed to thin blue
wisp of smoke rising far ahead from
the green expanse.
There It is, boysl" he cried All
the horses were tired except Firefiy
and with a whoop Erskine darted for
ward and disappeared. They followed
as fast as they could and they heard
the report of the boys rifle and the
series of war-whoops with which he
was heralding his approach. Nobody
in the fort was fearful, for plainly 1t
was no unfriendly coming. All were
gathered at the big gate and there
were many yeiis and cries of welcome
and wonder when the boy swept into
the clearing on run, brandishing his
rife above his head, and pulled his
fiery black horse up In front of them.
Wizard you steal that hoss?" shout
ed Bud.
Look at them clothesl'' cried Jack
Sanders. And the women-Mother
Sanders, Mother Noe and Lydia and
Honor and Polly Conrad-gathered |
about him, laughing. welcoming. shak-
ing hands and asking questions
Where's Dave?" That was the |
chief question and asked by several
looked grave.
Dave amt comm back" he said,
and then seeing the look on Lydias
face, he smiled: Dave" He had no
further to 60 for Dawes rifle cracked
and his voice rose from the woods,
and he and Harry and Hugh galloped
into the clearing Then were there
more whoopings and greetings, and
Lydia's starting tears turned to smiles.
Dave had to tell about his trip and
Erskine's races-for the lad would say
nothing-and in turn followed stories
of killing buffalo, deer, panther and
wildcat during his absence Early the
women disappeared soon the men be-
gan to yawn and stretch, and the SEN
tinels went to the watch-towers, for
there 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-lnk be-
between the tidewater aristocrats and
these rude pioneers, between these
and the savage enc
mics out in the black encircling will I
derness. And that boys brain was in
4 turmoil-what was to be his fate,
here, here, or out there where he had !
promised to go at the next falling Of +.
he leaves?
The green of the wilderness dulled
4 d burst into the yellow of the buck
sye. the scarlet of maple and the rus
get of oak. This glory In turn dulled
md the leaves, like petals of withered
lowers, began to drift to the earth.
Through the shower of them went
1rskine and Firefly. who had become
Is used to the wilds as to the smiling
ranks of the far-away James. And
he two now were one in mutual affec-
ion and mutual understanding that
vas uncanny.
The boy was the son of king again.
nd as such was on his way in answer
o the wish of a king. For food he
arried only little sack of salt, for
is rifle would bring him meat and
he forest would give him nuts and
ruit. When the sun was nearing its
ighest he ''barked" a squirrel from
he trunk of beech toward sunset
fat pheasant futtered from the
round TO low limb and he shot its
cad off and camped for the night.
On the second day he reached the
road buffalo trail that led to the salt
cks and on to the river, and then
lemories came. He remembered a
lace where the Indians had camped
fter they had captured himself and
is mother. In his mind was a faint
icture of her sitting against a tree
nd weeping and OF an Indian striking
err to make her stop and of himself
,aping at the savage like a little Wild
at. whereat the others laughed like
hildren. Farther on. next day. was
lie spot where the Indians had sepa-
sted them and he saw his mother no
Iore. They told him that she had
cen taken back to the whites. but he
as told later that they had killed
er because in their fight from the
hites she was holding them back too