The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-18
Erskine Dale r oneer
By JOHN FOX JR
Copyright 1919 1920 by Charles scribners Sons

anywhere and In any way you
please"
why not now?"
This was not the time for pri-
vate quarrels and you know It. >
u can walt-and shall not for
get. The day will come"
The old priest touched ErskIne's
shoulder as the angry youth rode
away.
Il cannot make It out" he said j..
HE claims to represent an English
fur company. His talk is British
but he told one man-when he was
drunk-that he could have a com.
mission in the American army
The councIl-fire was built. Three
British agents sat on blankets and
around hem the chiefs were ring
ed. The burden Of his talk varied
very little.
The American palefaces had
driven the Indian over the great
wall. They wero killing his deer.
buffalo. and elk, robblng him Of his
! land and pushing him ever back
ward. They were many and they
would become more. The British
were tho Indians tricnds-thG
Americans were his enemies and
theirs; could they choose TO fight
with heir enemies rather thai
with their friends. Each chief ans
wered in turn, and each cas- for
ward his wam2um until only Ersk-
inc, who had sat silent, remained,
and Pontiac himself turned t, him.
what says tho son Of Kahtoo?"
Even rs he rose the lad saw
creeping to the outer ring his
enemy Crooked Lightning, but he
appeared not 10 see. The whites
looked surprised when his boyish
figure stood straight. and they
were amazed when he addressed
the traders in French, the agents
In English. and spoke 10 the feath-
cred chiefs in their own tongue.
He cast the belt forward.
THAT Is Kahtoo's talk, but this
is mine"
Who had driven the Indian from
the great waters to the great wall?
The British. Who were tho Amer
leans fighting now? British. Why
were the Americans fighting now?
Because the British, their kinsmen,
would not give them their rights.
II the Indians must fight. why
fight with the British to beat the
Americans, and then have to fight
both later day? II the Brf sh
would not treat their own kinsmen
fairly, was 1t likely that they would
treat the Indian fairly? Would 1t
not be bet or for the Indians to
make the, white man on his own
land a friend rather than tho whito
man who lived more than a moon
away across tho big seas?
He lifted his hand high and paus-
cd.
Crooked Lightning had sprung to
his feet with 4 hoarse cry. With q
gesture Pontiac bade Crooked
Lightning speak
1.-THE tongue Of White Arrow Is
forked. ! have heard him say he
would fight with tho Long Knives
against the British and he would
fight with them even against hts
own tribe
Ono grunt OF rHnge ran the round
Of thrco circles and yet Pontiac
stopped Crooked Lightning and
turned to the lad. Slowly the boys
uplltted hand came down.
With bound he leaped through
he head dress Of chief in the
outer ring and sped away through
the village.
Some started on foot after him,
some rushed to their ponies, add
somo sent arrows and bullets aftbr
him.
At the edge of the village the boy
gave loud, clear call and then an
other as he ran. Something black
sprang snortlng from the edge OF
the woods With pointed cars and
searching eyes.
Another call came and like the
swirltng edge Of a hurricane driven
thundcr-cloud FREELY swept after
his master. The boy ran to meet
him. caught one hand in his name
before he stopped, swung himself
up, and In a hail Of arrows and bull
let's swept out OF sight.
XII
Tho sound OF pursuit soon died
away, but Erskinn kept FREELY at
his best, for he knew that Crooked
Lightning would DO quick and fast
on his trail.
He guessed that Crooked Light
ming had already told the tribe
what he had Just told the council,
and that he and the prophet had
already made use of the boys
threat 10 Kahtoo IN tho Shawnee
town.
The old chief looked grave when
the lad told the story OF the coun-
ell.
1.-THE people are angry. They say
you arc traitor and a spy. They
say you must die. And cannot
help you. I am too old and the
prophet is too strong"
"And The white woman"
"She will not burn. Some fur
traders have been here. The white
chief McC5ea SENT. ma wnmnurn