Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1922-08-18
CHAPTER VIII

The Indian boys were plunging into the river when Erskine appeared at the opening of the old chiefs tent next morning. and when they came out icicles were cllnging to their hair. He had forgotten the custom and he shrugged his shoulders at his mothers inqulrlng look. But the next morning when Crooked Lightnings son Black Wolf passed him with tauntlng smile he changed his mind.
 Wait" he said. He turned, stripped quickly to a breech-clout, pointed to a beech down and across the river, chal- longing Black Wolf to a race. To. gether they plunged In and the boys white body clove through the water like the arrow that he was. At the beech he whipped about to meet the angry face of his competitor ten yards behind. Halfway back he was more than twenty yards ahead when he heard strangled cry. Perhaps 1t was a ruse to cover the humiliation of de- feat, but when he saw bucks rushing for the~river bank he knew that the icy water had brought cramp to Black Wolf, so he turned, caught the lad by his tOpknot, lowed him shore ward. dropped him contemptuously and stalked back to his tent. His mtOher had built fire for him, and the old chief looked pleased and proud.
 "My spirit shall not pass" he said, and straightway he rose and dressed, and to the astOnishment of the tribe emerged from his tent and walked firmly about the village until he found Crooked Lightning. H..'
 You would have Black Wolf chief" he said. "Very well. We shall see who can show the better right-your son or White ArrOw"-a challenge that sent Crooked Lightning to brood awhile in his tent, and then secretly to consult the prophet.
 Later the old chief talked long to White Arrow. The prophet he said had been with thCm
 He claimed that tine ll,,.
 made revelations to h!n H!.~l ', manner of man waS he. l&r.rinH.N ;n., boy-did he have ponies and ptlts ana terked meat?
 "ie Is poor" said the chief. "He has only wife and children and the tribe feeds him."
 White Arrow himself grunted -i 1t was the first sign of his old life stir. ring within him.
 why should the Great Spirit pick out such man to favor?' he asked. The chief shook his head.
 Crooked Lightning has found much favor with him, and in turn with the others, so that I have not thought 1t wise to tell Crooked Lightning that he must go. He has stirred up the young men against me-and against you. They were waiting for me to die" The boy looked thoughtful and the chief waited. He had not reached the aim of his speech and there was no need to put 1t In words, for White Arrow understood
 q will show them." he said quietly.
 When the two appeared outside, many braves had gathered, for the whole village knew what was in the wind. Should 1t be a horse race first? Crooked Lightning looked at the boys thoroughbred and shook his head Indian ponies would as we'll try to out run an arrow. a bullet, a hurricane.
 fOOt-race? The old chief smiled when Crooked Lightning shook his head again-nO brave in the tribe even could match the speed that gave the lad his name. The bow and arrow, the, rifle. the tomahawk? 'Tomahawks and bows and arrows were brought out. Black Wolf was half head shorter. but stOckv powerfully