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town had other ideas as to the conduct of an eligible young lady. A
trapper, fresh from the territory, had told her, not of the seemingly
endless toil, but of the dances and husking and parties, so her mind
was filled with these pictures and a great anticipation of the beaux she
would have. She ran a comb through her long red hair and gazed at
herself in a small mirror.

The father of the family looked to his oxen and began to hitch
them to the yokes. The cows were standing complacently nearby. In
a few minutes they would be ready to start, but first the usual ritual of
the morning prayer. Never a day passed when they would not kneel
in prayer to the new sun and give thanks to the God that was now
leading them to a new life. Vinah looked at the broad, slightly bent
shoulders of her father, those shoulders she could never remember as
being anything but strong and toiling. She gazed at the homespun
shirt stretched across the big frame and listened disinterestedly to the
mumbled monotone of the prayer. As it was nearing its end, she
picked up the words "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow." The
words froze in her throat as a feathered arrow pierced the homespun
shirt. The war cries of the Indians and those of the dying were
mingled in one great piercing wail. Those dreams of the rich soil and
good fruitful years were dashed by the war clubs of the savages and the
often fondled long red hair was soon to decorate the lodge of a proud
Shoshone brave.

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