Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 41, Number 146, 6 May 1916 — Page 13

rui THREE RED ELMER RUSSELL M'GREGOR Both Boys and Girls Will Enjoy This Story

THG RICHMOND PALLADIUM. SATURDAY, MAY C, 1910

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Copyright 1916 by Harper & Bros. Newspaper rights by International News Service. I White Otter Begins a Perilous . Journey. The sun was just peeping above the eastern rim of the plain as White Otter mounted his pony and rode from the great Sioux camp. He was departing upon his first war journey, and his heart filled

with pride as the people gathered at the edge of the village, beating the war-drums and singing their war-songs. The lad carried himself with all the confidence and dignity of a seasoned warrior, and the Sioux looked upon him with approval. He was a handsome youth of sixteen winters, tal! and sinewy, with keen, steady eyes and an alert, intelligent face. An orphan, he had been brought up by his grandparents, Wolf Robe, the venerable Sioux wap-chief, and old Singing Wind, his squaw. His grandfather had given, him his favorite war-pony, his buffalo-hide war-shield, and his weapons; and Singing Wind had presented him with several pairs of moccasins and a great, soft buffalo robe which she had tanned with her own hands. White Otter had arrayed himself with great care, as befitted one departing upon the war-trail. He had carefully oiled and divided his long black hair into two braids, which he had bound with rabbitfikin. At the top of his head he had ! braided a scalp-lock, to which he had fastened a hawk feather. His dress consisted of a breech-cloth and soft doe-skin leggings which reached to his thighs. About his waist he wore a twisted rawhide belt, to which were fastened his knife-sheath and a small buckskin bag containing dried meat. His bow and arrows were inclosed in a handsome otter-skin case which he carried on his back, and at his side hung a weasel-pouch containing his fire-sticks. His pony, a cleanlimber little piebald, was without saddle or bridle; a rawhide lariat twisted about its lower jaw was the sole means of control. Its mane and tail had been skillfully braided and decorated with hawk feathers and strips of fur. The lad rode away in silence, for he knew that it was not the part of a warrior to give way to his emotions. The snow had retreated to the mountain-tops, the prairie was dotted with wild flowers, aqd the air was filled with the music of birds. Spring was ripening into early summer and the great western country was at its best. Having passed from sight and sound of the camp. White Otter stopped his pony and looked about him with reverent appreciation. The world seemed filled with sunshine and song, and he found it good to be alive. His heart filled with gratitude, and he raised his eyes to the sky and gave thanks to the Great Mystery for the blessings which He had bestowed upon his people. Then as he rode slowly across the vast plain the young Sioux began 'to realize the perilous nature of the mission upon which he had embarked. He had been sent at his own request to recover the Red TRUE "What is necessary to success?" "A willingness to take a chance on being a failure."

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Arrow from the Pawnees. Many years before, that famous medicine trophy had been stolen , from the Sioux medicine lodge by a daring young Pawnee. The Sioux had made countless efforts to recover It, and many warriors had forfeited their lives in the attempt. White Otter had heard the tales of their heroism recited at the Sioux council fire, and they had filled him with a longing to achieve the exploit. When he reached the age at which

it was necessary to begin his career as a warrior, therefore, he went to his grandfather and announced his intention of going upon the perilous quest. Well pleased with the lad's courage, Wolf Kobe called his warriors in council and told them White Otter's ambition It met with instant approval, and they decided that he should go upon the venturesome journey. The day was far spent when White Otter discovered a small band of antelope a short distance to the west of him. He stopped his pony and dismounted to stalk them. Hobbling the piebald with a piece of rawhide, he crawled toward several small boulders which were about half way to the antelope. When he finally reached the rocks, ! however, he saw that he was still out of bow-shot of his quarry. Fearing that he would be discover-; ed if he attempted to approach j nearer, he determined to try au' ancient Sioux stratagem which he I had learned from his grand father, ' Draping the buffalo robe upon his bow. White Otter raised it above his head. In a few moments the antelope saw it and became curious. Having attracted their attention, the lad began to wave the lure. Copyright, HUG, by The McClure Newspaper Syndicate, New York. BENNY BROWN'S BATTLE Benny Brown sat on the bank of the river down in Ceorgia fishing. Benny was sleepy, for the sun shone warmly on the water, but the howl of animals back in the forests kept him awake for it was more than one hundred years ngo that Benny lived, and he was a lad right in the midst of the excitement of the Revolutionary war So as his cork bobbed, his head nodded. Then suddenly he sat up and gazed in wonder, for around the bend in the river came four stately ships of war. On board he could see big guns peeping over the side and men in blue with swords danglin about their knees. The British sloops," he cried in astonishment, "going up the river and all the American troops away. Father will be back at dawn from the army, but what good will that do?" And poor Benny s'ej up a shout that was soon answered by three other American boys who had been fishing further down the stream. "There are no men at home now." explained Benny, when his comrades had gathered about. "But some are due tomorrow, for my father gets home early in the day. It is up to us, boys, to keep that fleet can we do it?" There were Bob, Fred and Harold, besides himself, making four in all. So Ben sat still with his head in his hands, while the other boys watched the ships sailing toward them. Presently the little fleet dropped anchor and came to rest about a quarter of a mile off shore. "I have it." exclaimed. Benny, starting to Ji is feet. "We can fool those English and capture their ships all by ourselves if you fellows will just follow me." Then he explained what they were to do. Harold knw all the army bugle, calls and had an instrument with whjch he could send the notes trembling far over the river, so he ran home for it. while Benny explained the plan to the others. Fred was an

The Sandman Story for Tonight

After they had watched it some time the inquisitive creatures began to advance. Continuing the maaoeuver, the crafty hunter gradually enticed them within range. Then he threw the robe from his bow and drove an arrow through the heart of the foremost buck. After supplying himself with sufficent meat for his journey, White Otter continued across. the plain. At sunset he turned toward a small grove of cottouwoods. He found an ideal camp site, with water and grass, and he decided to camp there

for the night. As darkness settled upon the plain the young Sioux sat beside his little fire and meditated upon li is task-. He realized that to be successful he must expose himself to great peril. The Pawnees were implacable enemies, and he knew that he could expect no mercy if he fell into their hands. He Also knew that the undertaking demanded a high order of skill and strategy and for a moment he doubled his ability. Then he recalled the deed of the young Pawnee. He asked himself if White Otter, the son of Standing Buffalo and the grandson of Wolf Robe, the great Sioux war chief, was less daring than that reckless lad. The mere suggestion drove the hot fighting blood to his brain and filled his heart with courage. He determined to dupli.cate the Pawnee's exploit or forfeit his life in the attempt. Having come to this bold decision. White Otter rose and walked to the edge of the grove. The night hush had fallen upon the plain and the world was stilled in slumber. The lad raised his eyes to the heavens. The sky was studded with expert at drumming and happened to have brought his best one, along. ''My plan is this," said Benny. "We must make the British believe that the American troops have just arrived, but the best plan will be not. to do the work until after -sunset. Then we can manage it easily. Now all. of us get busy and build big bonfires on all of the eight hills in sight. That will keep us busy till supper, and after you fellows have had supper, come here as quickly as you can. -The captain will think we have ten thousand troops here, and father can make him surrender." So all the hot afternoon the four boys worked like beavers dragging brush and dead planks to the top of the hills till each one was crowned with a huge pile of brush. The English ships lay still in the bend of the river, and did not notice anything unusual going on around them. But as soon as larku?ss crept over the land big bonfire- began to pop out. - First one then another blazed forth till every hill was a beacon light. Then Benny had Har old walk along the meadow sounding his bugle as Lf calling troops to camp, while Fred on another lowland beat his drum loudly as if he also were carrying orders to soldiers. All night there were to be heard the thrill calls of a bugle and the stately roll of a drum echoing from the hills. When dawn drew near Benny ran home to greet his father, who had just arrived. In a few excited words he told his story. , "Write a note to that British captain demanding his surrender, telling him It is useless to delay, that the American troops are on all sides," cried the boy. "Then take it out yourself, under a flag of truce." Within half an hour this was done, and by the time the first rays of, the sun dipped on the water the English captain, believing he was in the hands of the enemy, surrendered to Benny's father. And a very much ashamed crew were the British sailors when they marched ashore to see that four American boys had captured their entire fleet.

a viut multitude of stars. He looked upon them with reverence, for he had been taught that they were the camp-fires of departed warriors on the trail to the Spiritland. Then he saw the dim, mystic trail itself stretching across the sky, and he believed that it was marked with the footprints of his parents. White Otter was overwhelmed by a sense of his weakness, and he opened his heart to the Great Mystery. He prayed for strength to complete his task, for courage to face the peril, and for wisdom to cope with his enemies. Then a coyote, raised its dismal cry. The spoil was broken. The

prairie-wolf had found the dead antelope and was summoning its fellows to the feast. Answering wails rose from all parts of the plain, and the peace of the night was de stroyed. The Sioux returned to his fire. Soon after daylight White Otter resumed his journey. At midday he was halted by a river which the spring rains and the snow-water from the mountains had transformed . into a raging yellow torrent. It was swift, and deep, and wide, and he looked upon It with gloomy misgivings As he watched the water racing past he had grave doubts of . ever reaching the other shore. It seemed foolhardy to make the attempt. As he hesitated, however, he thought be heard a challenge In the sullen hissing of the water.- It seemed as if the river were laughing at his caution and accusing him of cowardice. A great wrath entered his heart. He asked himself if it was the part of a Sioux warrior to turn back at the first obstacle. Then, laughing scronfully, he lashed his trem bling pony into the flood. Once in the water the gallant little piebald began a valiant battle against the current. White Otter was swept from its back but' he saved himself by grasping its mane. Farther down the river he saw a seething whirlpool, and he knew that, once in its grip, there would be no escape. He tried to guide the struggling pony from the danger, but his efforts were futile. He realized that he must depend upon the piebald to save him. It was making a superb fight for its life, but the odds against It were terrific and White Otter had little hope. Each moment the game little beast was being swept nearer its doom. The Sioux turned Its head up the river, and urged it to still greater efforts. He knew the only chance was to reach the center of the stream before they were swept abreast of the whirlpool. Then he heard the ominous hiss of swirling water, and he glanced fearfully over his shoulder. His heart failed him, for the pony was almost upon the whirlpool. A moment later he felt the current twisting them about and he cried out In despair. The piebald was swept swiftly around the edge ot the great sucking pool, and the despairing lad shuddered as he saw the water boiling down into a yawning funnel-shaped cavern. Twice they were whirled dizzily around the border of the death-trap and then the pony fought its way from the clutches of the pool. Having regained the main channel, they resumed their fight to reach the opposite shore. The piebald had covered two-thirds of the distance when it began to weaken. White Otter again saw death staring him in the face, for he realized that in such a crisis . his own strength was of no avail. Believing himself lost, the lad determined to die as his, father had died, fighting to the end. He exhausted himself urging the frantic pony to redouble its efforts. Several times It carried him beneath the water as he endeavored to guide it to the shore. Then his own strength collapsed, and he clung helplessly to the floundering beast he had tried to save. As though it understood that its own life and the life of its master might be saved by one final supreme effort, the choking pony kept its nose above the waves and struggled wildly to reach the shore. The heroic battle finally ended in victory, and the piebald staggered weakly from the water and dragged the young Sioux to safety. Both White Otter and the splendid little beast which had saved

him were thoroughly exhausted, however, and it was some time before they were strong enough to continue the Journey. When the lad finally mounted and rode awa he found himself upon a great undulating prairie. It was carpeted with a splendid crop ot grass and watered by a tributary of the river, and he saw deep trails and other signs which led him to believe that he had entered the summer range of the buffalo. The thought filled him with a longing for the chase, and he rode slowly along the stream, keeping a- sharp watch for the great beasts he hoped to find. (More Next Week.)

I BIRD! STUDIES!

HOUSE WREN . (Troglodytes sedon) . " Length, four " and three-fourths inches. The only one of our wrena with wholly whitish underparta that lacks a light line over the eye. .' ' Range; Breeds throughout the United States (except -the 'South Atlantic and Gulf States), and in h ' southern Canada; winters in .the southern United States and also In Mexico. , ,; Habits: The rich, bubbling song of the familiar little house wren Is one of the sweetest associations connected with country -and sub urban life. - , Its tiny tody, Ipng bill, sharp eyes, and strong feet peculiarly adapt it for creeping into all sorts, of nooks and crannies where lurk the insects It feeds on. . A cavity in a fence post, a hole in a tree, or a ' box will be welcomed alike by this busybody as a nesting place' but since the advent of the quarrelsome English sparrow such domiciles are at a premium and the wren's eggs and family are safe: only in cavities . having entrances too small to admit the sparrow. Hence it behooves the farmer's boy to provide boxes the entrances to which are about an inch in diameter, nailing these under gables of barns and outhouses or in the orchard trees. In this way the numbers of this useful bird can be increased, greatly to the advantage of the farmer. Grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, bugs and Bplders are the principal elements of its food. Cutworms, weevils, ticks and plant lice are among the injurious forms eaten. The .nestlings of house wrens consume great quantities of insects. , How poor are they that have no

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-patience! Shakespeare.