The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-07-13
An Indian EIopemeat. lIIl, N MI

% isAAiIndlan EIopement u:iitas.
Gen. Custer, G in his s'sLiie ON Z the
Plains tells the following story ofithe
successful elopenent Of the daughter
OF chief; sl,,Y,.,,,, Jaif- a,flr,
One evening after We had gone into
camp, many long weary miles from our
point Of starting, and when We Suppos.
ed we had left all the Kiowas safely III
camp awaiting the release OF their two
chiefs, Lone Wolf and Satanta. Ve,were
all surprised TO see young and hand
some Kova, warrior gallop into our
midst accompanied by a young suuav..
who certainly could not have reached
the age which distinguishes the woman
from the girl. tIn'afew moments our
little party gathered about these two
wayiafers. eager "a, learn the cause Of
their sudden and unexpected visit. The
girl was possessed of almost marvel
lous beauty, q beauty 80 remarkable
that my companions 81 that march re-
fer to her 10 this day as the most beau.
tiful squaw they have ever seen. Her
graceful and well.rounded form, her
clearly-cut features, her dark EXPIRES
siye eyes, fringed with long silken
lashes, cheeks rich with the color OF
youth, teeth Of pearly whiteness coca
sionally peeping from between her full,
rosy lips, added withal to d msst be.
witching manner, required not the ro-
nance Of her story 10 make her m OBJ
ieet Of deep interest in theeye Of the
gallants Of our party. But to their
story. Az 80
She was the daughter Of Black Eagle.
at that time the acting head chief OF the
Kiowas.l The young warrior who rode
at her side was somewhat Of 10 young
Lochinyar in disposition. 1T was the
old, old story, only TO be repeated again
by these representatives OF the red man
mutual and determined love on the
part Of the youngsters; Opposition
equally determined upon the part oi
Black Eagle; not thatithe young war:
tior was Objectionable, but unfortunate.
", as Is butte often the case, he wab
poor, and could not oiEer In exchange
for tbe hand Of q chiefs daughter the
proper number OF ponies. Black Eagle
was ineIofRble- the lovers, constancy
itself. There was but one thing for
them to do, and they did II. h7pHsi4 II
Aware Of our proposed expedition In
search Of the oheyennes and Aiapahoes,
they timed their affairs accordingly.
Giving, Us time, TO got two days the
start, they slipped away from their VII,
lage at dusk the evening Of the second
day after our departure, and hastening
inperceiyed 10 n thieket near by, where
the lover had taken the precaution to
conceal two Of the Aeetest ponies OF The
village already saddled, they wore soon
in their saddles and galloping for love
aud life away, from the Kiowa village.
/ say galloping for life, for by the In
dim law, II the father or relatives of
the girl could oyeftakethe lovers with
in ltwentysfour hours, tho Life of the
young woman would pay tho forfeitan.
They followed our trail in order 10
avail themselves of our protection by
travelling with us as iar as our course
might lead them in the direction d tic
Saked Plains, on the borders Of which
o struggling band Of Kiowas, under the
chief Woman Heart, was supposed TO
be, and which the lovers Intended, 10
join, at least until the rage Of pater-
Japlilids should subside and they. be In.
yited TO return. This in brief was their
story. Ineed not add that they iouad
d lfearty Welcome in our midst, and
were assured that theyneed no longer
fear pursuit. Isir5s1 gais,iiff D.
That evening, after the camp fires
we're lighted, the Officers Of our party,
with an interpreter, gathered about the
camp FIRE Of the bridal neouple, and
passed d pleasant hour in conversation.
Their happiness and 9xultai6n at their
success in escaping from their village
were too powerful 10 be restrained, and
In many delicate little ways the BRIDE
fol, BY Indian law twenty -four hours
absence from the village with her lover
made her d bride plainly betrayed her
exceeding fondness for lhim who had
risked all TO claim her as his own. ,iss
After my return 70 the main camp ]
thst his daughter and I hef husband had had
been companions Of our riarch. eyes.
Why did you not kill him p was his re-
ply, which upon inquiry he explained
by saying that IL some person had
kindly put an end 70 the life OF his
son-in.law, II would hive benefited him
70 the value Of several ponies /; his dif.
ticulty seeming TO be in overcoming the
loss Of the pennies which should have
been paid for his daughters hand. ]
afterwards learned, however. that the
naughty chief became rcconciled 10 the
wiliul lovers, and invited them 10 re.
turn 10 his lodge, IN invitation they
were not tardy in accepting. as