White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1928-06-08
CHAPTER II-Continued


this valley and as many more in Lit
tie Cove who will not work. They
pretend to be witch-masters, and they
get their keep by pretending to undo
the mischief the Dfnwold women were
said to do. After my mothers death,
and after they named this place Der
Hexenkopf' my sisters would not live
here. They knew men were drawing
our pictures On stumps and shooting
them with silver bullets; and they
went away, and only l was left. Those
fools down there burn marks on their
dogs and cattle to cure them of my
spells. Every time worthless scamp
strips an udder they say l MIXED
their cows. God help those who must
live among fools"
had let her talk herself out, and
now said:
'This valley isn't safe for you. Isn't
there any place where you can go?
Back to Carlisle, Philadelphia, or to
some Maryland town."
ut isn't easy to travel with a help
less man." she fiercely reminded me-
l glanced at the cripple. He did
not seem to be hearing our talk, but
his face was flushed and his breath
ing more rapid.
sect your uncle inside" whis.
pered to the girl. Hes unwell. The
excitement has upset him."
She put her arms around him and
petted him, and murmured things
could not hear, and aided him to en-.
ter the cabin. The people down the
hill noted her disappearance and be-
gan advancing up the slope. Calling
to the Oonodaga in English / directed:
"Scalp the German and the red.
faced man If they do not fall back"
In his own tongue l added:
"Scare those fools away"
Round Paw threw aside his blanket
tiers. Cromit flourished his big knife
and kept at the Indians side. The
latter sounded his war-whoop and
charged. The unarmed settlers gave
way in a panic and raced back to
their cabins.
"Elsie Dinwold, you must get away
from this valley. Once we're gone
there'll be no one to protect you
Your uncle must risk it. He will
surely die If he stays here"
"Tll get a horse and get him out OF
the Cove if 1t kills him. | never saw
him like this before. We have three
COWS and two oxen. No one here will
pay what they are worth. Will Brad
docks army buy them?"
"Gladly. Fresh beef will be needed
at Wills creek. But you can't drive
them there, and my business won,
let me do 1t. There must be some one
in the Cove who will buy them at 6
fair price. I'll send the man Cromit
I'D here to get them and find buyer
He's as shrewd as he Is red headed
He'll drive good bargain. Now lei
me see your uncle"
ae was on mis- bed, breathing rapid
~ and hiccuping at intervals. My ex
perience with death had been largely
confined to men dying from morta
wounds but knew that this man wa:
about to enter longer and deeper
valley than that of Great cove
patted the girls bowed head ant
promised she should not be disturbed
She knew the truth. for she fol
lowed me to the door and whispered
"He must die"
II fear he is dying now" told her
81 will stay with you"
mol" There was flash of fierce
ness in her refusal. More gently sht
added:
"We've been without kindness ,
long time. Well bide the rest of the
way together and alone. Please g
now"
/ descended the hill to where Gro
NIT and the Indian were awaiting thu
settlers return. Men were hurryint
up with axes and muskets, eager tt
sootb the sting their pride had re
ceiyed. | went to them and announced
that Dinwold was dying and that the
young woman would leave the valley
very soon. and that her departur,
would be FASTENED could she find some
one to buy her cattle. My words SO
bered them and took the edge from
their anger. man said:
IF she will swear on the Holy Book
that they are not bewitched, I'll take
them off her hands"
1--WE three men will drive them tC
Braddock's camp, or will sell then
here. We can get more for them Oh
Wits creek. The man Cromit Of Nc
Dowell's mill will make the trade Il
you care to buy"
"Bewitched, or bedeviled, care not.
III buy them and cure them and then