Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]) 1917-1946, 1925-12-18

L. L
emily the flap was thrust aside, and
grey-faced Indian scrambled out and
fed like a deer in the direction of
the post leaving behind him a white
man and an Ojibway doubled with
laughter. and beside them, his face
set like stone, a tall half-breed deep
in thought.
"Why did you do that, Michel? He
will only make things worse at the
post"
II try eef he scare ov de Windgo,
heeself."
"Well, are you satisfed?"
"Yes. Eet ees YER strange he ees
so scare" And the head man shook
his head doubtrully. He talk to de
Windigo, an Wen he cum he run"
Back at the post Steele related to
st. Onge the events of the morning
"This Tete-Boule, Colonel, is only
source of trouble here He is filling
the minds Of the Indians with the
Windigo, and then makes medicine to
drive him away, doubtless for a con
sideratiOn."
st. Onge shrugged with Indifference
at will not matter. am expecting a
packet from Albany any day ordering
me to abandon the post"
Steele stared at his host in surprise
Where was the old fighting blood in
this veteran? What hidden cause had
paralyzed his nerve? And his love
for his daughter-that at least should
drive him to fight through to the bit
ter end.
They were on the river shore and
alone, so Steele grasped the opportuni
ty for which he had waited. The mat
ter between them had to be cleared up
if he were to give his best efforts and
those of David in the days to come
Colonel st. Onge," he began, 81 am
deeply interested in your situation
here. / have offered the services Of
David and myself in an attempt to
aid you in your trouble; but l must
say, candidly, that you are not meet.
ing me half way. If l am to put in
the next three weeks in an effort to
run this thing down, l must first have
your full and complete confidence,
must know-what you know-and
think This is due me. If you cannot
take me into your confidence, / shall
be compelled to thank you for your
hospitality and bid you goodby, deep.
ly as l shall regret it,"
st. Onge listened patiently, as the
speaker thought, hopelessly, to the
ultimatum.
Let us sit down and talk it over,
monsieur" he replied
The two men moved to a rock and
lighted their pipes.
Monsieur Steele" began st. Onge.
II am in a net from which ! see no
escape. You came here a stranger.
claiming to be a scientist, interested
in the study of Indian customs and
folklore. That is all I knew about
you. AS it was, told you too much
that first night"
"What you told me has been re
spected, sir" interrupted Steele, If.
rttated at the manner Of the OLD
man.
Yes, MONSIEUR" Modified he ia
tor, 1--WE have found you a gentleman
But for a time l suspected you Of
being a member Of the provincial po
lice, and that would have complicated
matters"
what do you meanY
"Why, if it were ever known III
river that the police had stayed here
with me for some time before acting
against Lafiamme, the post nigh; be
burned over our heads. They are II
lawless crowd, monsieur"
According to your story you are
bound to lose the post whatever
happens"
Yes, but there is Denise"
"I don't understand"
Monsieur, Latlamme has never
stopped at anything. He might not
stop there"
you mean that he-is IN love with
Mademoisello st. OngeY
"PTeclseiyw
"And might attempt to lake Ger
by force?"
"He might attempt anything. He
has never respected the LAWS a
desperate man"
But they would hunt him down.
He could not get away in this coun
try. He would be a madman to al.
tempt it,"
HE is a mailman, monsieur"
Steele was tempted to laugh in the
face Of his host. He would shortly
have the opportunity Of measuring
this madman with his own eyes. ST
Onge certainly was painting him in
strong colors But they had wandered
from the point.
II have asked you for your CON
fidence," he began abruptly "If you
cannot see your way clear to allow
me to aid you, ! shall regret it," He
was thinking Of the girl up at the
house.
Monsieur Steele, we have decided