White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-11

eXn1uSteu rs ne vas lfOui loss OF OtOOu. ne Was
pierced With arrows and knife-wounds. and clots
Of blood stained bis forehead, where the Indians
scalping knife had but half finished its work.
Hastily removing the corpse of the Indian, Ram
rod raised the farmers bead into his lap, and
carefully wiped the blood from his forehead
The old man opened his eyes, and smile Of
recognition played upon his lips, as he essayed
:Aspeak.
- Al ssF,r, ny brother, tae worst is done. tou
was a minute too late. Take care of the gil
for my sake. It is all Blencos's work.
He spoke with great difficulty, and Ramrod
saw that the sands Of his life had well nigh run
out. He would have called the daughter. but
she was already by his side-she and Ben. They
were just in time to receive the old mans bles-
sing, and then he died.
TIE bodies of the whites were all decently
inferred on the river bank, and their grave mark
ed with pile of stones. When these simple
ceremonies were completed, the horses were
hitched up, and The party, silently and in sad
ness, continued their way ever the prairie, leav-
ing the dead bodies of the Indians to be de-
voured by the wolves, which ever follow on the
trail of the hunter or emigrant. Having ac-
compished a mile, they halted the wagons and
prepared for luncheon; for all were greatly in
need Of refreshment, after the toll and excite
ment of the morning. But Ben and Ramrod
had another duty to PERFORM duty which they
owed to the dead and living-those who had
fallen by the aSsassin's hand, and those who had
escaped his vengeance; and an sxultant twinkle
of fendish delight was visible in thei. eyes, as
they set to work to make preparations for carry
ing out their plans.
First they lifted the bound body of Bully
Blink-eye down from the wagon whereinhe had
been placed, and laid him carefully on the grass.
They next selected the strongest raw-hide lariat
they had, and pickSt-pin, and laid them beside
him. Then, when all was ready for the start,
they retained their own horses, and babe the
rest of the party 90 on, without them, which
they did, all but two or three Of their comrades.
who insisted u7sn remaining behind. As the
wagons rumbled slowly away, Bell looked unea-
silly behind her; but Ben FASTENED to tell hernot
to feel anxious, as he would overtake them be-
fore they had gone a half mile farther
1t was now abou; four O'Clock, and the Octo-
tOber sun was rapidly frightening the shadows
on the prairie. The .tswuv stragglers, which
here and thors Il lied the plain, would soan,ush-
or in the lonely night with nun iupine. chorus.
and the wasslilers Of the midnight hour revel
in blrbarous s1turnala. Already the Aeeey
clouds that hung above the western Horizon be-
gan to grow rubescont, ominous If the coming
twilight. This Is the usual time for clm9ing;
for TIE hunter must nuke his preparations for
the night, and the aninlls n-ed time to Craze
as well as sleep. Old R1mrod bore this well in
mind, as he and his companions industriously
busted themselves with their helpless victim be-
fore them. First they turned Blencoe's arms
behind his back, and wound the raw-hide lariat
tightly AROUND his wrists, tying it with many
knots, so as to make il dOubly secure. His
clothes we're then removed. except his hunting
coat, AID the cords that confined his lower limbs
were severed, which ieit him free in all respects,
save in the use Of his arms. Having completed
these preliminaries. the trapper rubbed his hands
with satisfaction. Then, presently, he took the
picket-pin, and drove il deep into the ground, so
firmly, that 40 single nan could draw it out, and
fastenea the iriat securely to its head.
Thar; thatn do, now. l reckon he said,
and grinned savagely. Then turning 70 Blencoe,
Come, boss, get up! It's nigh on to feeding
time, and guess as how we'lI picket yer hyar
for the night. The grass hain't none of the best;
but you'll find better pickin' afore mOrnin' may
be, that is, IL
Good heavens. you don't mean leaving me
here alone, to De eaten up by wolvesl' cried tbs
terrified villain, now fully cOmprehending the
intentions of his prosecutors.
Well, you'll nuke a. good wolf meat as any
thing else, reckon eoolly replied the tTapp-r.
though may be the critters nd despise sucking
the fnlrrer.bones Of SIGH as you In that case.
you can hail Us in the morning. for our camp
amt fur Off-not more'n a milo or 50. Come,
boys, let's pot out, for the wagons are nigh out
o. eye.sAOt-'
mo, no. for Cots sake don't leave me here, ,
cried the doomed man, as the others turned to
depart. Shoot me; knife me; OF anything else;
only don't leave me here in tAis way 1 beg ysu.'
But the trappers paid no further heed to him.
Mounting their horses, they drove rapidly away,
despite the shouts and cries Of their victim,
which grew less and less distinct as they canter-
ed over the prairie, until at length they were
lost 70 hearing altogether. Joining their com
rades, they made camp for the night Supper
was prepared ~ the women, and in due season
fully discussedby the whole party; after which
the passing ho1ps we're occupied in listening to,
and reeounting the events Of the past few days;
how farmer My had set out from Missouri, in
company with Others. to find new homes on the
confines Of the Far Wess; how Bill Blencoe had
pressed his company upsn them at the outset,
and impOFtuned Bell My 70 be his wife; how
he was refused with seorn, and departed with re-
newed threats Of vengeance; and hoE, at last,
when they we're already fortnight out from the
settlement, he had come doHn upon them At the
head Of his villainous crew-already famous for
their high-handed Outages on the piains--and
attempted 70 massacre their party. and take pos
session Of their goods All this was told. and
heard In common Aud other things we're said,
intended only for privste ears. Otter memo
riekHere recalled from the almost forgotten past.
mutual explanations followed, dark mysteries
we're solved. forgiveness freely graHted, and
pledges Of abiding affection solenniy infcrrhan-
ged, as Ben Morton and Bell Nay sat Oat the
snail hour Of tie night, IN that Old, uhite-fiIIs3