The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-02-17
Erskine Dale p ioneer
BEGIN AERE TO-DAY
BY JoHNFoX JR.
Copyright 1919. 1890 by Charles scribners Sons

BEGIN HERE TODAY
asidNE DALE, captured in in.
fancy by the redskins Of Ken
lucky, Is adopted by the chief OF
the Shawnoes and given the
name Of White Arrow. He is told
that bis mother was captured
with him but was later killed.
/ Maitreated by an Indian brave,
Efskine fees to a Sc tiers stock.
sde and is recognized by his moF-
ally wounded father.
Dave. YANDEEL. q pioneer, acts
as guardian and sends the boy TO
Red Oaks. the great Dale .planta-
! Stioh on tho James. occupied by
COLONEL DALE, younger brother
sof Erskine's father. ErskIne Is
h kindly received by his cousins,
BARBARA and
lHARRY. Soon no 1uarrels with
Dane Grey and threatens 10 stab
him; Later Ersklne Is, ashamed
OF his outburs and fees to the
Wilderness. Dave Yandell
FAIRY and Hugh WIlloughby. ans
other cousin, start in pursuit.
GO. ON WITH THE STORY
az sunset Dave knew that they
were not far behind him. but when
darkness hid the lads tracks Dave
|ktopped for the night.
eDaye laughed aloud tho next
fprenoon:
sffe's seen US tracking him and
'he'e doubled on us and is racking
tus II EXPECT he's looking at US
ifFom Somewhere around here"
! SO hallooed at tho top of his
lyoice. A war-whoop answered al
most IN their ears that made tho
blood leap in both tho boys. Even
Dave wheeled with cooked rifle,
land the !al stepped from behind a
bush scarcely ten feet behind them.
well, by gum" shouted Dave,
sfooled us, after ALL"
| a sfaint grin of triumph was on
tho lads lips. but In his eyes was
ja waiting inquiry directed at Harry
and Hugh. They sprang forward:
Were sorry!"
On Flrefly, Harry buck1cd the
boys saddle and motloned for him
70 climb up.
HES your horse, cousin" said
Harry. rMy father sent him to you
land says his home Is yours whea.
ssereSeu please. And Barbara sent
- love-"
lat almost the same hour in thu
sreat house on The James the old
negress was carrying 10 Colonel
Gale q klngly deed that the lad had
8Ieft behind him. It. was rude
scrawl ON d sheet Of paper, signed
] by the boys Indian name and hts
totem mark-a buffalo pierced BY
an arrow.
1T makes me laugh. have no
use. Il gave hole dam plantashuu
|lRarhara."
Thus read the scrawl!
u
\ Three days later they reached
ife broad, beautiful IEoIston River.
lsssing over the pinecrested, white.
rocked SUNNI OF Clinch Mountain,
and came to the last outlying fort
OF the western frontier. Next day
they started on the. long, long viii.
sderness trail toward the Cumber-
land range. !, On tho third day
therefrom the gray wall of 'hs
Cumberland gathered It's TANKS in
70 steep gray cliffs and dipped sud
denly3into Cumberland Gap. On
this they climbed. On the summit
they went into camp, and nexi
morning Dave swept a long arm
toward the wild expanse to the
ives; \.
-Four moro days" he cried, 'and
we'll hhe there!"
Toward sunset Dave, through a
sixth sense, had the uneasy feel'
ing that he was not only being fol-
lowed but watched from the cliffs
alongside, aud he observed thai
Erskine, too, had more than once
turned ii. his saddle or lifted his
eyes searchlngiy to the shagg,
tanks Of the hills.
The trail was broad enough mex,
morning for them to ride two
Iabreast-Dave and Erskine In ad.
vance. They had scarcely gonu {
hundred yards when an Indian
stepped into the path twenty yards
\ ahead. InstincuYely Ersklne