Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-10-07
Big Loon
Post
BY George Van Schaik.)

Then Atuk and his wife burst ON,
laughing. Indeed, the two pra1smSsJ
an Unusual spectacle, and ora hat
might well have excited tho mir%h eP
any folk.
A couple of young children stoed
in corner of the tent. gmyeIv
sucking their thumbs, while the;y
beady eyes cleaned with the un-
wonted excitement of the scene.
Rise, l tell yea, Mashkaugan p
Lorimer said to the man before him
What crazy behavior is this ?" The
last time thy eyes fell upon me was
far nearer death than ever thou vert
in thy life, and l don't wonder at
thy surprise. But l am all right
now. Rise like a man and shake
hands with me in mind of our camp
fires together and the bread and salt
we have shared in the waste places
I can even find it in nv heart to for
give thee for leaving so soon. Hadst
thou waited a short time to see
whether | was truly dead | would
have been spared terrible journey
home"
Yes, rise, you big fool!" echoed
"
come to life, and the pair of YOU.
each in his time, have thought to-
take the last gulp of air. But now
this man whom thou were so sure
was a corpse leaped into the water
and pulled thee out, which was sure
" brave thing to do because of the
great weakness that is on him vet.
Stand up, therefore, and give thanks
to him like a man."
Then Mashkaugan rose. His heart
was beating so that it caused a pain
in his great twisted chest. His long
arms hung faccidly like those of
great ape. On his face was the look
Of one being cruciied.
The penetrating cold that had
seized him failed to prevent great
drops of sweat from mingling with
disheveled locks.
His fear of heather gods and spir-
its had been nothing to the feeling
that oyeLcame him as he stood be-
fore the man he had sought to
slaughter in the raging waters of
White Rapids.
The condition of the trembling
hunchback was pitiful. His teeth
chartered. His face mirrored strange
agony. The laughing Indians be-
came sobered. They could not un-
derstand and felt as if they stood be-
fore some gruesonne mystery, which
frightened them.
what in the world is the matter
with thee, Mashkaugan asked Lor-
inner, putting one hand on the mans
shoulder. Indeed, I am glad to see
thee What / said just now was not
meant for bitter reproach. Thy silly
fear overcame thee at that time
that is all. Now, l forgive thee most
willingly. Thou must now rejoice to
see me again, living and growing
stronger, thanks to these good peo-
pie"
Lorimer's looks belied what he
said about becoming stronger. He
looked very weak and exhausted, but
he seized Mashkaugan's hand within
his own in friendly fashion. He was
smiling frankly and trying to be
kinder than he ever had been be-
fore.
IF everything was known to
thee" gasped the hunchback horse
by, ''thy hand would never seek mine.
| am less accursed than l thought.
Yet I feel as one suffering under the
penalty melted out to unforgivable
sin"
Lorimer looked at him in utter
surprise. These words were beyond
his comprehension.
"The man is crazed yet" ven
tured Atuk's wife. perhaps his
head struck a stone of the beach, al
though it bears no mark. Yet some
strange folly must have entered it to
make him go out on the lake during
tie storm. Tt has not left him yet,
and ne still suffers from disease
that has changed the working OF his
brain"
20 woman, 1 would that thou vert
speaking the truthw groaned Mash
kaugan, covering his face with his
hands, like a child hiding from
strangers.
Atuk touched his forehead with
his fingers, signifying that the man
was certainly bereft of reason: Lor-
liner remained speeches., not know
ing what to say.
Come" said the Nascaupee very
gently, for Indians always hold the
insane in some reverence, and Atuk
woman will leave the tent and tnou
spoke as if addressing child. the
wilt take off thy clothing so that we
may hang it in the tent to dry: wrap
myself up in a blanket until the
things are fit to put on again, ana
rest quietly. Perhaps some. hot tea
will help thee. have it In nina
that the cold of water and wind nave
done thee some hurt"
He met no resistance IS ne began
to pull off some of Mashkaugan
garments. There was something that
was very helpless and pathetic IN the
Toyageur's appearance as he allowed
himself to be partly undressed ana
made to lie down in the heat OF the
little stove.
When the woman returned she
poured out tct tea. Lorimer took
some gratefully, but hunchOach
refused. ;,
Take the tea that is given thee,
ordered Lorimer gruffy, as ne
thought that authority might preVau
Where persuasion failed of efect;;
Thou art still under my orders, ana
I'll not have such fooliShneSS.