“A spirit from the Manitou-land on the big sea water?”
“I should call what I have seen a ghost,” was the still mysterious reply. “One week ago this very night of storm, I saw it first. I was out on the lake near the Fox’s Leap, and the lightning flashed as it flashes now. The waves were mad, and to a rock that protruded above them I moored the boat, resolved to enjoy the storm. All at once the plash of paddles struck my ears, but the next moment all was still, and I dismissed the thought. Then, just as I had relaxed my vigilance, a flash of lightning came, and, Ahdeek, within five feet of me, lashed to my crag, I beheld a boat.”
“A real boat?” interrupted the half-breed.
“A canoe from spirit-land, I guess,” said the Destroyer, smiling. “The boat, as I could see at a glance, was fashioned like ours, and, boy, it looked like the boat some thief stole from you a moon since. In that boat sat a human being, most beautiful to behold. She was white like the lilies, and as fair. I saw her but a moment, for all became dark, but ere the last beam of light fled I saw her start, for our eyes had met. Instantly I sprung forward and griped her rope, but the next second I heard the zip of a knife-blade, as it cut the wind, and I held a worthless piece of rope in my hand.”
“Spirit gone!” smiled the half-breed.
“Yes, the boat and its occupant had vanished. I could not trail her on water, and I hunted for her till the storm-clouds passed off, and the stars shone again. I’ve looked for her every night since, Ahdeek. I’ve lain for hours in my boat moored to that rock, but the ghost would not come back. I’d like to have you see it, Ahdeek; you’d believe in spirits then, I’m thinking.”
The half-breed laughed in a low voice, but a thoughtful expression soon returned to his face.
“He had a daughter who was a pappoose when the squaw died,” he murmured, in a low tone; but he did not know that the ear of the White Tiger, who was paddling intently through the white-crested waves, almost touched his lips.
“Did White Tiger hear what Ahdeek’s lips said?” exclaimed the half-breed, as the lightning suddenly revealed his brother’s attitude.
“I was listening to the waves, boy,” was the evasive reply, and the paddle was thrust deeper into the water. “We are near the chapel now. Hark! how madly the waves dash against its foundation.”