Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1925-08-19
By Gerge Van Schaick

whic. the mocner gaAea strength,
and the wind increased in force so
that the leaves began to swirl ==.=.=
plentiful. es~= BE .iv=E. =::=.,=..s...-
It with gold and crimson. Small
birds began to gather IN circling
clouds that came DOWN into high
trees as thickly as clustered grapes
and arose again, prep-I.-a soon to
wend their way toward tle warmer
lends CT the Sorca.
go 0 ne at row
a. ,..~- g M
IT. 4l
arlete
But the baby took much time, and
every movement of it's lips or eyes or
tiny fingers meant hitherto untold
amazing things to her and filled her
herrt With a power to be patient.
Late one afternoon, as she sat
there with the little one at her
breast, her eyes were longingly
turned to that distant point at the
end of the curve in the river.
A thousand times she had felt that
something was appe airing, something
which had only proved to be a decep-
ton to her overstrained eyes or
Once more she thought herself the
prey of illusion, but an instant later
she leaped to her feet.
With wildly beating heart she
called to the others. Some Indians
came running toward her. 1t could
only be the ong-expected canoe, for
none of the families that had already
left the post would return before the
spring.
at surely is a canoe" said Atika-
mex, whose vision was renowned
among sharp-eyed people. "Pres-
emily we shall hear the firing of a
gun. Let US hasten for ours that we
may receive them according to Gus
tom with large measure of 'pouk'
in the barrels"
So the men ran for their guns to
celebrate the arrival of the explor-
ers. They returned, pouring in the
powder from ancient powder-horns
and printing the nipples, for there
were very few who had modern
weapons.
Then Atikamek whispered to by
stander: Il surely can see but one
man in the canoe"
But Ameou overheard him and
dIlA1OUSlJ SIIdl1lCO I1CI NlolOIs LII
very few seconds she also was GER
tain. An ashen color came into her
face as she stared and clutched her
baby convulsively. The little fellow
began to cry. 1t was not as silent as
Indian babes, and often beloved
Justify after the manner of white in
fants.
Zone of the two may have become
I'll o1. he 1111.+ o1oI lryiror ~, he hot
tom of the boat" said old Minis
SUITS. hopefully. "Perhaps it is Uapi-
shiu of the Yellow Hair who is pad
ding"
"No! 1t is Mashkaugan the
Crooked Back" asserted Atikamek.
st cannot see his face, but the pad
die glints in the sunlight and l can
see the movement of the arms and
know the man. Moreover, his head
lies deep between his shoulders. 1t
can be none other"
Curran, who had seen the assem-
bling of the people, fastened down to
where they were gathered. He
| walked up and down like some Gagged
beast. His nerves were on edge
from too much smoking and the bot
tie beneath his bunk.
A minute later all could see Mash
kaugan's face. He was padding
powerfully against the current, and
yet his work looked like the final eff
fort of a spent man.
He came nearer and nearer-until
all could see that in. the bottom Of
the canoe thare was nothing but a
pack.
TIE wife of Nimissuts was just in
time to seize the baby. Ameou fell
unconscious with piercing cry.
| The voyageur approached and
Curran cried out to him in Judaslike
anger:
"What hast thou done with Lori
mer, the man who went with thee
and whom | gave in thy charge ?"
| rying greater load than l was will
the path on the cliffs" replied Mash
him and l never saw him again,
though l searched a long time. He
bore all the -four, and | have had
! little to eat and am starving"
His appearance bore out his state
ments. He was gaunt, and his sharp
face was wolfish with the marks of
hunger as he staggered painfully up
/ the bank, leaning upon his paddle.
Curren went to him and seized
/ him by the arm.
"Come with me to the post" he
said. "You will be given something
to eat at once. | must know al
about this dreadful happening.
/ had rather have lost my ow.. life"
/ 81 will tell you after l have eaten,
answered the man sullenly. "Get
/ me hot tea and meat and bread
| first"
Ameou was beginning to return tc
! life as the two went up to the log
| building. Once more she managed
to stagger to her feet. She insisted
upon being given her baby, which
she seized desperately, as if some
! one had been seeking to take it away
/ from her.
Women accompanied her to hel
tent and laid her down upon the
blankets that covered a thick bee
of balsam-boughs. Then they squat
ted beside her, weeping silently fol
her awful grief.
At the post the old Indian servant
hasteneG to place dishes and tin cups
upon the table, but Mashkaugan had
already found a piece of dry bread
/ which he wac dpyourinr o.rnedilv