River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-05-02

a habys -head | readily recognized the
little Indian girl and the crying pappoose
before described. Tie girl passed the
house in stealthy manner, placing her
hand over the laby's mouth for the pur-
pose Of preventing any possible cutlery.
The entrance to tifty-acre corn field lay
not many rods away. This the girl APP
preached, and hating, looked about on
every side 10 see if she was seen by any
one. Fay's blue eye among the bending
grasses, and my own behind the vine
wreathedwindow, were hidden even from
he piercing gaze of the little Indian maid.
en- Dismounting, she unwrapped the
saddle. bag from the back of the speekled
pony and threw it over her own shoulders,
after which she dismissed the ponies by
giving each vigorous kick with her
moceasined foot and then, sealing the
fence, she disappeared in the cornfeld.
Fay came into the house breathless with
excitement, and exclaimed-"1 The little
Indian girl has stolen the pappoose and
run away with the speckled pony, Just TO
spite the mother squaw y
Very likely" replied.
But what's to be done about it? The
baly ought to be rescued Immediately"
ave can't do anything said
1T would be a helpless task to attempt
to catch a little Indian in a fity-acre
cornfeld"
Fay's face grew very solemn. Looking
up to me with troubled eyes, she said,
impressively-" But what if the wicked
Indian girl should Kill the poor little
pappoose and bury it in the cornfeldp
The question startled me but sought
to quiet Fay's forebodings the pest could.
She said no more upon the subject, but
wandered about during the rest of the
afternoon like perturbed little mortal
upon whose conscience rested the murder
Of an innocent babe. AT sunset Hold and
Tom came home from a chicken hunt upon
which they had been absent all day. Tom
was the first to speak.
What do you think we found down in
yon revine, where theredbud bushes grow,
and the spring empties into the basin dug
in the rock ?"
60 the little Indian baby! 1t wasn't
drowned in the spring, was it ?" inquired
Fay with a feverish anxiety.
mo, bus it was hanging from tree"
was Toms reply.
Fay groaned aloud. "Was it quite
dead ?" she questioned in IN agitated
voice.
BLESS you, no! twas kicking and
squalling as il it hadn't the least intention
Of 'pegging OUT" said Tom, with a mys.
ferrous laugh.
"Do crafty our curiosity" interpos-
ed.
Here are the facts of the case,D said
Hold " the girl had hung the bag con.
tanning the pappoose upon the limb of a
tree, and seemed to be making prepara-
tons to bivouac down there for the night.
Tom and hid in the grass, and saw her
feed the baby. What do you think she
gave it to suck? Green corn mashed soft
between two stones, and tied up in "a rag
torn from the baby's petticoat.n
How funny and nice | don't believe
she means to hurt the dear little pappoose
| want to 60 right dewn and watch herr
cried Fay, delightedly.
Better wait till after the moon rises,n
| said. "You may scare her off, if you 90
by daylight. They're wild as phantoms,
these Indian girls"
After moonrise that eyenipg,we all went
out past the cornfeld, and, crossing the
meadow beyond, walked stealthily through
the tall damp grass that headed the ravine.
We stopped behind knoll directly above
the spring, and peerin, into the mooniit
ravine, discovered the objects Of our Curl
osity The saddle-bag still hung upon the
bongh of a low dropping tree, and the
Indian girl was seated on the ground
beneath, slowly swaying it to and fro and
grooming low harsh monotone, which,
doubtless, was a melodious lullaby in the
ears of the sleepy little pappoose.
"What lovely sight 4" said Fay, in
soft, delighted whisper. ashes tender
with the lIttle thing, FOR all she's stolen it
away to spite its MOTHER
We went back to the house with minds
at rest concerning the safety of the pap.
p0ose. Almost before sunrise next morn
ing our little watch-woman, Fay. broke in
upon our slumbers by exclaim;ng, "The
yard is full of Indian boys y
Hold and Tom and | dressed in haste,
and went below As we stepped into the
yard, some half a dozen small Indians
came springing up the walk to meet US,
making eager demonstrations, each seem
ingly intent on being the first to offer
communication.
"Sdc &c Sac &c +? said several of the
boys at once, in an inquiring tone.
"They're after the girl. Is it best to
put them on her track ~ said Hod.
"Wait moment" said Fay, aud she
disappeared within the house. Immedi-
ately she returned, bringing with her a
travelling satchel, in which was seated
Dlnah still in her Indian disguise. Throw.
ing the satchel over her shoulder, Fay in
quired, Z" Sdc-eef Sdc.ee?p
The boys crowded about her with afr.
native signs and mods, all answering at
once, )" Sae-eel Sdc.eein
"Yes, it's the girl and papoose they're
after, sure enough. Lets direct them to
the cornfcld, and zoe if they will nose
them OUT said Tom.
Accordingly we all pointed to the corn
field. The young Indians bounded off with
the keenness Of pack of hounds starting
upon the track Of hare.
"See, they're searching for the girls