Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1922-07-27
CHAPTER

answer the great gray eye Of the will
derness lifted Its mist-fringed lid.
From the green depths came the fut-
ing Of lone wood-thrush. A cougar
leaped from the low limb of an oak,
missed, and shuddering deer
Streaked through forest aisle,
bounded into little clearing, stopped
rigid, shifted deadlier enemy, and
whlrled into the wilderness again.
Still deeper in the depths boy with a
bow and arrow and naked, except for
scalp-lock and breech-clOut, sprang
from sleep and again took flight along
a buffalo trail. Again, not far behind
him, three grunting savages were TAX
ing up the print of his moccasined
feet.
An hour before a red flare rose
within the staked enclosure that was
reared in the center of the little clear
ing, and above it smoke was seen ris-
ing. Before the first glImmer Of day
the gates yawned little and three
dim shapes appeared and moved leis-
urely for the woods-each man with a
long fllntlOck rifle in the hollow Of his
arm, hunting knife In his belt, and
a eoonskln cap on his head. At either
end Of the stOckade watch-tower Of
oak became visible and in each a
sleepy sentinel yawned and shifted
the welcome smell Of frying venison
below him. 4-
nna oonfiuoI HOon knvworsnop IN Tho
full Of his stature, stretched his
mighty arms with yawn. and lightly
leaped. rife in. hand, into the en-
closure. A girl climbing the rude lad
der to the tower stopped midway.
"Mornin', DaveT
"Mornin', Pollyw
"You don't seem to have much use
for this ladder"
mot Unless I'm goin' up; and l
wouldn't then II could jump as high
as can fall" He went toward her to
help her down..
II wouldn't climb very HIGH" she
said, and scorning his hand with a
tantallzing little grimace she leaped
as lightly as had he to the ground.
Two older women who sat about
kettle Of steamlng clothes watched
her.
'Look at Polly Conrad, won't yer 1
declare that gal"
'Lyddyl" cried Polly, ''bring Dawes
breakfastF"
At the door Of each log cabin, as
solldly built as little fort, a hunter
was cleaning a long rife. At the
western angle two men were strength
ening the plckets Of the pallsade.
About the FIRE two mothers were
sucking babes at naked breasts. ].
At the fire a tall girl rose, pushed
q mass Of sunburned hair from her
heated forehead, and a flush not from
the fire fused with her smile.
Il reckon Dave can walk this far
The don't look very puny."
A voice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one Of the women about the
steamlng kettle
"Honorl' she cried, "Honor San
dersr'
In doorway near, a third girl was
framed deep-eyed. deep-breasted.
"Honor!" cried the old woman,
"stop wastih' yo' time with that weay-
In in thar an come out here an hep
these two gals to SIT Dave his break
fast" Dave Yandell laughed loudly,
"Come on, Honor" he called, but
the Girl turned and the whir, Of a loom
started again like the humming Of
bees. Lydia Noe handed the hunter
a pan Of deer meat and corn bread,
and Polly poured him cup Of steaTA-
ing liquid made from sassafras
leaves. Dave looked up into POlly's
Hook eyes, shifted to Lydia, Pwerved
40 the dO6r vhenee came theswhlr ok
the loom.
"You- are looking, very handsome
this morning, Polly he SAN gravely.
Sand Lydia IL lovelier even than usual,
and Honor Is a woodland dream" he
shook bis head. mo- he said, II
really codldn't."
Couldn't whatf asked Polly,
though she knew some nonsense was
coming