Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1934-02-22

CHAPTER XIII

he'll dark forms as they danced slow
ly and solemnly about her bier. Some
or the ceremonies were barbarous
from Eric's viewpoint, part OF the an.
cfenf ritual OF shamanism. but he only
shut his ears and looked the other
way. The old men embalmed her
body according to her p~riestly station
an Aleut rite Of which Roy had
heard. but which he thought had
passed from the earth-and when the
tide ran out. the hunters carried the
bier TO its place In the e W.
When Eric had revived. he and Roy
searched for the sacred document
handed down from Fireheart's Rus
Sian ancestor. the founder OF her
dynasty. They found 1t In q seal-hIde
packet, written with some native Ink
on fine. homemade parchment. The
Ink had faded. the white skin dark
ened by time, but the script was still
clear.
why can't petrofr translate ftz'
Eric asked, tensely.
mo reason In the world" Roy said.
Like most of these revolutionary
cuves, he's something of a scholar,
Thank God he survived the melee
otherwise we'd be no better off than
he Alents.H
Eric found Petroff roaming the vii
iage row. His red passions had
cooled. and he was glad to be of
service to his %conquerors and make
peace at any terms. Tn the Pickering
fight OF Horizons turf house. surround
ed by tense. drawn faces, he trans
lated quickly and easily the message
fra-1 the past.
Yes, it was big medicine.
1Iune. ITa5.
~Fos any of my counfrymen and
Nfaafh Who conne after me. my are
after many years OF patient effort,
| have learned the route across the
shoals 10 Ignak island. now taboo. /
have native children and | cannot 20.
but | record 1t for other castawavs.
lesi IL De utterly f0Ef-
@It Ii shorter than the northern
pass, through which I drifted. The
time to 20 Is In the early faIl-the
currents are less strong at this time
OF year, and the days clearer, although
there is great danger of sudden storms.
Paddle south for seven hours. You
will zee ahead q line OF barrier reefs.
Make to them boldly. five shiplengths
away you will strike a strong current
sweeping southwest Do no fight
against 1t, but paddle with It for three
hours. Soon You will pas a great
arch OF rock. When you see the light
full through fits opening, turn south
again and paddle for your life. A mile
beyond will find you In the open sea
only four hours paddle to Ignak har-
Dor.
BE sure the shamans prophesy
clear weather before you 20. Start
well before dawn. so that ron VIII
ind the harbor while the light sfIn
fingers.
1T is q p~erilous journey, but by the
blessing Of our Lady OF Kaxan and
Saint Michael and Saint George. you
may win through.
@Adieu
"paul Golikof."
Petro1~s voice died away In the
long silence Nan saw o1d-time strength
OF purpose flow back Into Eric's bag
gard face. But Roy was the first to
speak.
AThe old chap had more confidence
In native weather prophets than I
have 1t would be sweet to get over
there OF the shoals and strike a fog
Eric raised his eyes to Mans. 4We1n |
try 1t, anyhow"
"When?" 1t was half n whisper.
half a gasp.
Tomorrow night. There's usually d
week OF good weather after a boorga.
and all the signs say So" He spoke
with an echo of his old power. @we'n
go In the two three-hatch KAYAKS
PetrofT. Chechaquo, and myself In one
Bib, Big Smith, and Cooky In the
other. ThereIl be nothing TO fear
from the men. except that they MAJ
desert Big Smith will have to get
back to find Little Smith. and I'll
make terms with the other two"
They may not be willing to 20"
Horton said
They'll go-if you promise to for
get what's happened" Petror said.
We've all been crazy. partly the
mostly Sandomar and Cargo.
but we're san now
with any luck, wen be In civfIfza-
ton by next full moon" Eric's eyes
closed YEARLY, and his blond head
dropped on his breast. Now let me
tie flung down on the fur rugx-
When he opened his eyes again, the
sun OF his last day on Foriorn island
vas high In the sky.
Preparations were made swiftly.
These included food and water In the
,oats and money In Eric's pocket, con-
,ealed from his comrades I'm going
o give You a check, too. for a sub
amount" Horton said In de-
tones "It will do wonders
oward getting a relief ship here, In
he quickest possible time"
Erir dacidad IN cfsrf hnfcrn via