When the Cheyenne belles came among them they beheld a captain who wore glasses, and they screamed and rushed wildly to their village tents, nor could they be induced to come out so long as the captain was in sight. It was very embarrassing to him, for how could he know that they had been told that with glasses one could see through opaque substances and their gayly colored calico gowns were no protection against the vision of "four eyes."
IN THE SHADOWS-
THE FIRE FLYSONG -- CACHED FURS -- OLD LAND MARKS -- TRAPPER'S ROCK
Not death, but darkness. What is there about shadows and darkness that thrills and terrifies the young. I do not recall that anyone ever frightened me with stories of Things out in the dark, yet I always felt that they were there. What, I did not know, but surely it was some fearful menace. Coming in from the night, I could maintain control of myself until I opened the door, and the candle light shone in my eyes. Then, behind me the darkness became a black abyss filled with horrible Things. The point of a terrible blade, the fangs of some frightful beast was ever close -- so close that I would leap into the circle of candle light, bang the door, and shiver with relief and safety.
Then at night in the low-ceilinged room with
its sloping sides, close under the shingles where my mother put me to bed. How I did dread to see her carry out the candle. How I hoped she would leave the "middle room" ajar, for the few moments respite from the dark. What a comfort to hear her moving about, and to know that as long as she was there the goblins of the dark would not come out.