The Pale Face's Wooing

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The first scene opens with a view of a little stream of water that starting in a tiny spring at the bottom of the foothills wanders slowly down through the valley and out over the plain. Down the bank rides Bud Dawson, the pale-face of our story, a young cowboy of the E. Z. outfit. Reaching the stream Bud throws himself from his pony and kneeling down takes a long drink of the cooling water. The pony follows his example. Both having satisfied their thirst. Bud again mounts the pony and moves on down the little gully. Around the next bend we find Silver Moon, a beautiful young Indian maid awaiting him. This is their trysting place and here they have met almost every day during the few weeks her tribe have had their tepees pitched along this valley. She glances around expectantly. Ah, here is Bud. Both faces light up with pleasure. Drawing from his pocket a string of "Nation" beads Bud places them around Silver Moon's neck. Now what will she give him for them? Shyly she tells him she has nothing to give. Bud tells her all he wishes is a kiss. Farther down the valley is the tepee of Silver Moon's father. Up to the tepee stalks Eagle Feather. In a few grunted words he tells of his plan to lay his treasures before the old brave. The old man sits watching in stoical silence. As a rifle is added to the pile his eyes glisten. When finally the pony is led forward, he gives his consent to the match. The pipe is solemnly smoked. The old brave calls Silver Moon. He tells her she is to marry Eagle Feather. Silver Moon starts back then straightens up and dramatically refuses. The old brave is astonished. He demands to know why. Silver Moon tells them she loves a paleface. The next day Eagle Feather is returning from a visit to his line of traps when he hears someone approaching. It is Silver Moon and Bud Dawson. Bud's arm is around her waist and Silver Moon's head is on his shoulder. As soon as they have gone, Eagle Feather comes from his hiding place and stands looking after them. Lifting his arm he swears vengeance against Bud. Back to the tepee of Silver Moon's father hurries Eagle Feather and tells of having seen Silver Moon and Bud. The old brave's anger flames up again. He and Eagle Feather are busy planning how they can rid themselves of the cowboy, when Silver Moon is seen returning from her meeting with Bud. The old brave calls her forward and tells her she has been seen with Bud. He commands her to give him up. She refuses. The old brave takes her by the shoulder and puts her inside the tent. Calling the old squaw he tells her to keep guard over Silver Moon. The two now hasten away to intercept the cowboy before he returns to the outfit. Prone on the ground they crawl along and hide themselves behind a bush. Up the path comes Bud. Past the two silent, motionless Indians he goes. Not a sound do they make as they rise to their feet. Down comes the club and Bud drops from his pony senseless. In a few seconds the senseless cowboy is bound hand and foot with his own lariat and carried back to the tepee. The two Indians begin the discussion of how they shall make way with the cowboy. Eagle Feather tells of the deep pool in the river back of the camp. Throw him into this with a stone tied to him, no one will ever know what became of him. Silver Moon overhears the plot to kill her lover and hurries to his aid. Arriving at the river bank the two Indians throw the bound cowboy into the bottom of their birch bark canoe moored there. Quickly jumping in they push off and are soon paddling away. Things look very black for poor Bud. But far up the stream we see brave little Silver Moon coming to his aid. Now she is speeding down to the place where she knows they will land. Ah, she hears them coming and from the water's edge she watches them land. Out of the canoe they lift Bud. Picking up a piece of rope they start off leaving him lying bound. But Silver Moon is hurrying down the opposite bank to his aid. If she can only reach him before the two Indians return. Bud left alone is tugging desperately at the rope that binds him. Suddenly brave little Silver Moon rushes in. From her buckskin leggings she draws her little hunting knife and in a second Bud is on his feet and free. But Eagle Feather is upon him. Desperately they struggle. Now Bud has the knife. A quick downward thrust and Eagle Feather drops mortally wounded into the shallow water of the landing. But the old brave has heard the noise of the struggle and has returned. He and Bud grapple. Bud's knife is uplifted when Silver Moon rushes in and stops the blow. She pleads with Bud to spare her father. Bud consents and takes her in his arms, while the old brave crouches in fear. He knows his daughter is lost to him and his people and the pale face has triumphed.