Action-Packed Western, May 1958 — page 7: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

| Light of the Eagle’s Plume (continued from page 5) Lewis and Clark expedition, and of a nest of wonderful black eagles found —thus, the naming of Black Eagle falls, on the Missouri in Montana. The description so fired the imagi- nation of young Benjamin that he begged his white teacher to undertake a trin with him to get the plumes of the black eagle. The old chief was willing, since the boy’s heart was set udon it. Eagerly Benjamin made plans for the trip—the black eagle’s plumes—rare indeed, were fitting “ adornment for a chief. “One for you, father, and one for me, and one for Tilicum’’ (his name for the school teacher) said Benjamin, and he con- tinued earnestly, “You will always Wear yours, father.”’ “Always,” said the old chief grave- ly. F ~ “And I will always wear mine,” promised the young chief. | There was to be vacation in the chool that fall; and in the beautiful month of October, the Yankee school teacher and Benjamin set forth on their journey to Black Eagle falls. Under the skillful guidance of the young Indian, they made the head _ waters of the Columbia, packing the | light canoe across to the Jefferson _ river; and thence sailing down the Missouri to Black Eagle falls. There were days of such beauty that, for manv hours at a time, the white school teacher was content to lie on his back and dream as the .canoe_ glided through scenes of surpassing loveli- ness. The young Indian chief might have been a mythological Greek’ god propelling a wondrous boat through enchanted waters, so regal was his bearing, so inspired his countenance. The two fell in with various Indian tribes—doubtless they met up with war-like Blackfeet and the kindly Flatheads—but always the unmistaka- ble rank of “Light of the Eagle’s Plume” and the kindly manner of the white man won them good treatment. fe WHITE man was greatly im- pressed with the country he saw, and knew that Montana would be a great state some day. He stood for long hours on the present site of Great Falls and visioned a fine city with immense water power. jamin was greatly excited upon find- ing the location of the black eagles’ nest as had been described in the Lewis and Clark book. The majestic birds were there, and rose slowly as as the young Indian climbed to the nest. Eagerly he sought—and found— just three plumes in the black eagles’ nesf. . The return trip was made. without mishap; the old chief Umatilla was happy in his son’s happiness and the success of the trip, and each wore the plumes of the black eagle. Soon after the trip, there was a great ceremonial affair—Potlach—so called. The aged chief took this occa- sion to also celebrate the marriage of his son, “Light of the Eagle’s Plume,” to the young Indian maiden of. his choice. On the second day of the feast, as Umatilla was closing a speech to his people, a young Indian came run- ning swiftly, and with a piercing cry fell at the old chief’s feet. Benjamin had been smitten with the plague, and nothing could be done that would save . his life. The grief of Umatilla at the death of his son was beyond expression. For a day and a night he absented himself in the forest. Upon his return, he re- quested the burial of “Light of the Eagle’s Plume” to be like that of the [Turn To Page 92] COMNEDOOKSsE@ Ben- ~*