Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Literary
January 17, 1950
The Key West Citizen
Key West, Monroe County, Florida
What is this article about?
In a Native American tribe preparing for war, Zachary proposes marriage to captive Saralee for her protection, but she scornfully refuses, branding him a renegade. He declares her his squaw anyway to ensure her safety amid rising tensions.
Clipping
OCR Quality
85%
Good
Full Text
Chapter 26
[Story text from decision reached with Indians, Saralee blazed back, White Bear's face, save yourself, displeasure, shrugged, retorted, expect of you, don't care for any of it. Now Saralee coming, Zachary's smile tolerant. Dressed in levi's, hair in disorder, face white with strain, head held high, eyes steady. Valse eyed her anxiously. Do you know how you'd be treated right now if it wasn't for me? Look at these people at the mood they're in. What I've brought you here now for, at this time, which is poor one for me, is to marry you. As my squaw, you'll be safe whatever happens. And it's the only way you will be! Saralee did not bother to look around. Her courage was as fine as her contempt. I ran away yesterday rather than marry you. Now that I know so much more about you, do you think that I'd be your squaw? Zachary saw it, too, and his own face whitened, so that the paint showed more garish by contrast. The tempo of the war drums faltered for a moment, then went on, and the dancers continued. But there was astonishment and bewilderment on more than one face. This was something unusual, to say the least. White Bear intervened now. There is other business. And time grows short! Zachary took a step forward. Saralee! So this is what you are! A renegade! It's not going to be that way. I'd sooner die than marry you, or even owe my safety to you, now that I know what you are! Zachary looked at her, his anger showing in his face for a moment. But this was not the time to chastise her, he knew, with the others looking on. He turned back to White Bear, ignoring her. I was adopted into the tribe years ago. It's a fortunate thing for both of us, now. Two of the tribe have been killed in the last twenty-four hours. They are determined on war. That's why they picked you up. As it is, I can save both of us, and it's the only chance we have. She is my squaw, he announced shortly. There is no time for anything more now. See that she is kept safe until I return, he added to the squaws. There is much to do now.]
[Story text from decision reached with Indians, Saralee blazed back, White Bear's face, save yourself, displeasure, shrugged, retorted, expect of you, don't care for any of it. Now Saralee coming, Zachary's smile tolerant. Dressed in levi's, hair in disorder, face white with strain, head held high, eyes steady. Valse eyed her anxiously. Do you know how you'd be treated right now if it wasn't for me? Look at these people at the mood they're in. What I've brought you here now for, at this time, which is poor one for me, is to marry you. As my squaw, you'll be safe whatever happens. And it's the only way you will be! Saralee did not bother to look around. Her courage was as fine as her contempt. I ran away yesterday rather than marry you. Now that I know so much more about you, do you think that I'd be your squaw? Zachary saw it, too, and his own face whitened, so that the paint showed more garish by contrast. The tempo of the war drums faltered for a moment, then went on, and the dancers continued. But there was astonishment and bewilderment on more than one face. This was something unusual, to say the least. White Bear intervened now. There is other business. And time grows short! Zachary took a step forward. Saralee! So this is what you are! A renegade! It's not going to be that way. I'd sooner die than marry you, or even owe my safety to you, now that I know what you are! Zachary looked at her, his anger showing in his face for a moment. But this was not the time to chastise her, he knew, with the others looking on. He turned back to White Bear, ignoring her. I was adopted into the tribe years ago. It's a fortunate thing for both of us, now. Two of the tribe have been killed in the last twenty-four hours. They are determined on war. That's why they picked you up. As it is, I can save both of us, and it's the only chance we have. She is my squaw, he announced shortly. There is no time for anything more now. See that she is kept safe until I return, he added to the squaws. There is much to do now.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
War Peace
Political
Liberty Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Indian Tribe
Forced Marriage
Impending War
Defiant Refusal
Tribal Adoption
Literary Details
Title
Chapter 26
Key Lines
I Ran Away Yesterday Rather Than Marry You. Now That I Know So Much More About You, Do You Think That I'd Be Your Squaw?
I'd Sooner Die Than Marry You, Or Even Owe My Safety To You, Now That I Know What You Are!
She Is My Squaw, He Announced Shortly.