The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1922-07-05
CHAPTER !

u,
answer the great gray eye of the will
derness lifted its -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 a Shuddering deer
streaked through forest aisle,
bounded into little clearing. stopped
rigid, shifted n deadlier enemy, and
whirled into the wilderness again
Still deeper in the depths a boy with a
bow and arrow and naked, except for
scalp-lock and breech clout. sprang
from sleep and again took fight along
buffalo trail. Again, not far behind
him, three grunting savages were TAX
ing up the print of his moccasined
feet
An hour before red flare rose
within the staked enclosure that was
reared in the center Of.the little clear
ing, and above 1t 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 n
long f1intlock rife in the hollow of his
arm. hunting knife in his belt, and
coonskin cap on his head At either
end of the stockade watch-toNer of
oak became visible and in each n
sleepy sentinel yawned and sniffeo
the welcome smell of frying venison
below him.
One sentinel rose towering to the
full of his stature. stretched hi"
mighty arms with yawn. and lightl,,
leaped. rifle in hand, into the ell
closure. \ girl climbing the rude lad
der to the tower stopped midway.
"Mornin', Dave!"
"Mornin', Pollyw
"You don't seem to have much use
for this ladder"
mot unless I'm goin' up: and I
wouldn't then II could jump rs high
as l can fall" He went toward her to
help her down.
II wouldn't climb very high" she
said, and scorning his hand with n
tantalIA;ng little grimace she leaped
rs lightly rs had he to the ground.
Two older women who sat about q
kettle Of steaming clothes watched
her.
Look at Polly Conrad, won't We? l
declare that GAL"
"Lyddy!" cried Polly. bring Dawes
breakfast"
At the door of each log cabin, as
solidly built as II little fort. hunter
was cleaning long rife. At the
western angle two men were strength
ening the pickets of the pnlisade.
About the fire two mothers were
sucking babes at naked breasts.
At the fire tall girl rose. pushed
a mass of sunburned hair from her
heated forehead. and flush not from
the fire fused with her smile.
II reckon Dave can walk this far
he don't look very puny."
A voice vibrant with sarcasm rose
from one of the women about the
steamng kettle
"Honor!" she cried. "HoAor San
ders!"
In doorway near n third girl was
acknowledgement, deep-breasted.
"Honor"' cried the OLD woman,
"stop wastin' yO' time with that weav-
in in thar an come out here an hep
these two gals to cit Dave his break
fast" Dave Yandell laughed loudly.
Come on, Honor he called. but
the girl turned and the whir of n loom
started again like the hunming of
bees. Lydia Noe handed the hunter
a pan of deer meat and corn bread,
and Polly poured him cup of steam
ing liquid made from sassafras
leaves. Dave looked up into Polly's
black eyes, shifted to Lydia. swervel
ito the door whence came the whir of
the loom.
"You are looking very handsome
this morning, Polly" he said gravely.
"and Lydia is lovelier even than usual,
and Honor Is woodland dream" He
shook his head. "No," he said, 81
really couldn't"
Couldn't what?" nsked Polly,
though she knew some nonsense was
coming.