Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-08

battle or the chase. On the outskirts were
the squaws, engaged in the laborious occupa-
tions which fall to their lot. Their infants,
tightly bound to straight strips of bark, were
tied to small bent-Over birches, which gently
oance them 10 sleep; and the boys Of the viii
isge, with bow and arrow, were shooting az
.ne representation Of Kansas hunter. In
.ne centre Of the village, before the towering
Sn. Vi tue chief, sat the braves, smoking
'ne1r G tomahawk pipes with stoicaI gravity.
lne white men looked at the priming of
uelr M rlues; put their sharp hunting knives
oetnesn tnelt teeth, and with desfening yell
rushed down through the frightened soTsys.
ere the Dacotahs could comprahen3 wb,t
caused the alarm. Dashing into the startled
group of warriors with fierce war-hoons tbey
dealt destruction around them. The chief
was the hrst slain, brayely defending himself
and encouraging his warriors, who nobIv
struggled TO avenge his death, but all in vain
Frank Bates fought like demon, but AZ
one time was nearly victim TO a stalwart
warrior. But glancing at his opponent Frank
recognized in gay red handkerchief around
his head, his marriage gift to his lost wife.
This added renewed strength 10 his body and
increased activity to his fury, as he seized his
assailant with his left arm, lifted him from
the ground, and at the same time with ner-
vOus force thrust his knife into his heart. This
decided the battle, for the surviving Dacotahs.
the spot where their horses were tethered and
escaped into the forest. Upwards of fifty dead
warriors remained on the bloody field, and
others grievously wounded, but not a single
white man was seriously injured.
The women and children fed to the woods
and the whites found an abundanc Of pluuder,
comprising blankets, rich furs, horses, dried
meats and tents. But Frank Bates felt sad at
heart, for the sight Of this memento Of his
wife made him fear she had been tortured be-
fore perishing in the flames. Night came on,
and Keeling positive that he could not sleep
ae volunteered TO keen watch. 1t was bright
moonlight night, ana as he was pacing his
solitary round, planning new schemes of ven
gence, he heard a light step approach from
the thicket.
Frank at first raised his rife to shoot down
the intruder, but a secret influence led him to
call out: "Who comes there?"
:" Are you a white man ?" was the reply. in
tones that produced an indescribable effect
upon the stout hearted pioneer.
ayes, and you p
Il am Frank Bates wife who was taken
prisoner over on the Mississippi" and as she
spoke, she advanced.
The rife fell to the ground, and Frank
stood as if under the influence of a magic spelI.
His hands were convulsively elenched, his
hair stood erect on his head, a shirer ran
through his frame and he tottered back sever
al PAGES. But not so the female, who had
recognized her husband as she drew near and
now exclaimed as she threw herself into his
arms.
Frank my own Frank, Do you not know
your wife?''
Yes, it was his long nOurned bride. her
features with stamped sorrow, but still retsin-
ing her early beauty. Mutual explanations
followed, and when the delighted wife armed
the safety of her boy, all her hsrdships van
ished 1t now appeared that when the In
dians had entered Bates's house, they found
keg Of whisky of which they drank freely,
anu then plundered everything, removing the
chest in their researches. Soon two of them
quarrelled for the handkerchief Bates had
seen the day previous, and drawing their
scalp knives, one speedily received a NOR II
stab, and fell directly upon the trap-dOor,
through which his blood ran upon the hidden
wife. She believing that it came from tho
veins Of her HUSBAND, shrieked aloud, thus be-
traying her place of concealment, dragging
her forth her captOrs bound her, thea rifing
the cabin, applied the torch. The body Of
the slain DacOtah was consumed, and over his
bones Bates had mourned as for those of his
wife.
That day they packed the plum Ter upon
what horses the Dacotahs had left, an started
for their homes, which they regained In safe
ty. The proceeds Of Frank Bates's share of
the spoils enabled him TO rebuild his house,
but this time close 10 that Of bis father and
enclosed with high stockade. The Dacotahs,
however, never returned, and in course OF
time were driven to the far West. Frank Bates
is now one of the wealthiest land holders in
Iowa, a member of the State Senate, Judge of
the county court, and Major General of Militia.
Time has dealt lenienty with him and his
wife, but neither forgets her captivity. Their
son never passes the scene of his fathers
flight on that memorable night without feeling
a renewed sense of his flial obligations, and q
deeper love for his boyhood's home.