The Adair County news., 1922-08-15
CHAPTER I

ETOm Tie green uSpJuS came Ile uuI-
ing of a lone wood-thrush. A cougar
leaped from the low limb of an oak,
missed, and a shuddering deer
streaked through a forest aisle,
bounded into a little clearing, stopped
rigid, shifted a deadlier enemy, and
whirled into the wilderness again.
Still deeper in the depths boy with
bow and arrow and naked, except for
scalp-lock and breech-clout, sprang
from sleep and again took flight along
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 a little and three
dim shapes appeared and moved leis-
urely for the woOds-each man with
long flintlock rife in the hollow Of his
arm, a hunting knife in his belt, and
a coonskin cap on his head. At either
end Of the stockade a watch-tower Of
oak became visible and in each a
sleepy sentinel yawned and shifted
the welcome smell Of frying venison
below him.
One sentinel rose towering to the
full Of his stature, stretched his
mighty arms with a yawn, and lightly
1eaped, rifle in hand, into the en-
closure. A girl climbing the rude lad
der to the tower stopped midway.
"Mornin', Dave!"
J. 'Mornin', Polly!"
you don't seem to have much use
for this ladder"
mot unless I'm goin' up; and
wouldn't then If could jump as high
as can fall" He went toward her to
help her down.
81 wouldn't climb very high" she
said, and scorning his hand with a
tantalizing little grimace she leaped
as lightly as had he to the ground.
Two older women who sat about a
kettle Of steaming clothes watched
her.
'Look at Polly Conrad, won't ye?
declare that gal"
'Iyddy!' cried Polly, bring Dawes
breakfast
At the door of each log cabin, as
solidIy built as a little fort, hunter
was cleaning a long rife. At the
western angle two men were strength
ening the pickets of the paliSade
About the fire two mothers were
sucking babes at naked breasts.
At the fire a tall girl rose, pushed
a mass of sunbUrned hair from heI
heated forehead, and flush not from
the fire fused with her smile.
81 reckon Dave can walk this fal
he don't look very puny."
A voice vibrant with sarcasm rost
from one of the women about the
steaming kettle
"Honor!" she cried, Honor San
ders!'
In a doorway near, third girl wa'
acknowledgement, deep-breasted.
"Honor!" cried the old woman
stop wastin' yo' time with that weav
in in thar an come out here an he'll
these two gals to git Dave his break
fast" Dave YandeIl laughed loudly.
"Come on, Honor" he called, bu
the girl turned and the whir of loon
started again like the humming o
bees. Lydia Noe handed the hunte
a pan of deer meat and corn bread
and Polly poured him cup of steam
ing liquid made from sassafra
leaves. Dave looked up into Polly
black eyes, shifted to Lydia, swerve
to the door whence came the whir o
the loom.
'You are looking very handsom
this morning, Polly" he said gravely
"and Lydia is Iovelier even than usua
and Honor is a woodland dream" ii
shook his head. mo-" he said,
really couldn't"
Couldn't what?" asked Poll!
though she knew some nonsense wa
coming.
"Be happy even with two, if t'othe
were far away"
81 reckon you'll have to try som
day-with all of us far away" sal
the gentle Lydia.
NO oouDIs no QouDI he leu upO
his breakfast.
''Poor boy!" said Lydia, and Poll
looked at her with quickening wonde
Dave gave his hunting knife a p'
thetic flourish.
"And when the Virginia gallant
come, where viii poor Dave be?"
81 wonder" said Lydia. "if they
have long hair like DaveT DaN
shook his long locks with mock prid
eyes, but it won't be their own a
it'll be powdered"
lord, I'd like to see the first I
dian who takes one Of their scalps
Polly laughed, but there was shu
der in Lydia's smile Dave rose.
I'm going to sleep till dinner-doI
Let anybcds wake me" he said. and