Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-04-30

to quiet Fay's forebodings the best | 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 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 ?"
40, the little Indian baby! 1t wasn't
drowned IN the spring, was it ?n inquired
Fay with feverish anxiety.
"No, but it was hanging from tree"
was Toms reply.
Fay groaned aloud. Was it quite
dead?" she questioned in an agitated
voice.
"Bless you, no! twas kicking and
squalling as if it hadn't the least intention
of 'pegging out,'" said Tom, with mvs-
ferrous laugh.
!" Do crafty our curiosity" l interpos-
ed.
Here are the facts of the case,O said
Hod d" the girl had hung the bag con.
tanning the pappoose upon the limb Of
tree, and seemed to be making prepara-
tons to blvouac down there for the night.
Tom and | hi0 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
TO hrr,-f 4 Il
[ want to go right Down and watch herr
cried Fay, delightedly.
Better wait till after the moon rises.u
| said. {" You may scare her off, if you 90
by daylight. They're wild as phantoms,
these Indian girls"
Alter moonrise that evenipg,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 peering into the mooniit
ravine, discovered the objects of our curl
osity: The saddle-bag still hung npon the
Dough of 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 melodious lullaby in the
ears Of the sleepy little pappoose
"What a lovely sight!d said FAY, in a
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
poose. Almost before sunrise next morn
ing our little watch-woman, Fay, broke in
upon our slumbers by exclaiming, "The
yard is full of Indian boys ~
Hold and Tom and dressed in haste,
and went below. As we stepped into the
yard, some half dozen small Indians
came springing up the walk to meet us.
making eager demonstrations, each SEEM
ingly intent on being the first to offer a
communication. ...rF
"Sdc ee ? Sac ee2 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 Hold.
Wait moment" said Fay, and she
disappeared within the house. Immedi-
ately she returned, bringing with her
| travelling satchel, in which was seated
Dlnah still in her Indian disguise. Throw
ing the satchel over her shoulder, Fay in,
| quired, - Sdc-ee? Sac.ee?n
| The boys crowded about her With affir-
native signs and mods, all answering at
once, +" Sac-ee! Sac-eein
Yes, it's the girl and papoose they're
after, sure enough. Let's direct them to
the cornfeld, and soc if they will nose
/ them oat," 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
tracks," said Tom, as the boys ran back
and forth along the road, jostling and
crowding each other, and bending forward
in . watchful attitude. They gained the
entrance to the field, then, turning, waved
their hands inquiringly at US. We gave
them the signal TO proceed. They scud-
ded over the fence, and were quickly lost
to view among the corn.
Now, then, let's c'lt round and watch
the fun" said Tom; and we started at
once for the raVine. When we arrived at
the knoll from which we had made our
observations the night before, we found
that the girl had disappeared, leaving the
p&ppoose still rocking in It's airy cradle
aud sleeping sopndly, famed by the soft
south wind that swept refreshingly through
the ravine.
"She's taken an alarm, no doubt. AMI
left the pappoose to be picked up by
chance,n said Hold.
"Or fed by the crows. Tve read about
such things" said Fay.
No signs of the hunters yet! Is it
possible they're going to miss? No,yonder
comes one Of them; he'll be the lucky
toad!n Tom exclaimed, as the smallest of
the indian boys sprang suddenly out of
he corn and tottered down the meadow
toward the lower end of the ravine.
"He's going wrong. Pll whistle and
bring him round" said Hod
No, let's have fair play" said Tom.
"PIl wager the one that bags the game
will get an extra pound of bacon Or
horn Of whiskey for his reward, jolly !!
there comes the rest; now Well see hot
work."
Directly after the first little indian had
entered the ravine. the res: of his com.
rades emerged from the corn almost at the
same time, although from different direc-
tons. They assembled in a grcup.at the
edge OF the meadow, and appeared TO take
cOQnSS1 bOgCLlGI do W GLO HO<A0 iiOfC lHClG
to be made. While they were hating
there, it chanced that the pappoose awoke
and be gan in low, fretfuI murmur, which
gradually increased until it swelled into a
loud, continuous cry. This reached the
boys ears, and started them again upon
the chase. They bounded across the
meadow, keeping even pace with each
other; but their companion in the ravine
had heard the cry, and gained the spot
before them. With shrill, tri-
umphant whoop he announced The
victory his own, and secured the saddle
bag Just as his comrades came springing
down the opposite bank Of The raVine,
The baffied hunters manifested their dis
appoin ment in many ways, but thu VIC
torious enc was unmolested, as their sense
Of Indian honor did not allow them to
rob him Of his booty.
W. 49,, ,.,. oh q tho hOuSa the nOoiaS