Yankton daily press and Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1875, 1875-07-23

inla little group Of Sioux lodges. We
found Bisnet and number Of Indians
consulting over report that had just
been brought in by a Sioux runner
that :hc Uncpapas had come down
from the north on the war path. He
bad seen twenty-five Uncpapa "sol-
diers," who told him
: THEY WOULD BE REvENGED
on the whites for tiespassing i'll the
Black Hills. They had killed three
white men in one place and seven in
another. These twenty-five men left
him and headed towards Spotted Tail
agency. lie saw the trail of another
small band leading directly to the
route between the two agencies com.
monty travelled by white men with
wagons. He thought they were aim
ing to strike the road and attack the.
first travellers they met. The Sioux
at Blsnet's were alarmed for the
safety Of their horses, and while they
were telling us the news, we saw Iii
dians out running over the prairie to
bring them in. The Uncpapas are a
band Of wild northern Sioux who
have never, as a body, acknowledged
ny.treaty relations with the govern
ment. We afterwards heard through
another friendly Indian that the Unc-
papas now declare that they will tiIT
the Black Hills with the tracks Of
their horses feet; BY which they mean
that they will overrun the mining dis
trict and drive out the white men.
We also learn from two sources (both
Indian that this war party lately en-
countcred two small bands of miners,
and that they had killed seven
white men in one party and thrcc in
another.
Our escort, that had been ordered
out from Camp Robinson to accom-.
-pany US to the Black Hills, had been
sent tbactkto await the conclusion of
the next council with the chiefs and
head men representing both branches
Of "The Great Sioux Nation We
were therefore without protection
except by his own arms. Our bag
gage wagon had gone OH ahead and
might then be- in the hands Of the
Uncpapas. This was not very COM
forting, for we had generally packed
our good clothes in the wagon and
were wearing old hunting dresses. L
waswondering whether my suit would
fit any young brave, and where he
would find room for the long red cloth
that all the Sioux generally drag be-
hind them in the grass.
A LEADING QUESTION.
But would the rebcllious rascals be
so lost TO grace as to attack the United
States commissioners? Bisnet thought
they might. Their hearts were bad,
and they might go for US if they came
in our way. lalways did like soldiers,
and if we could have seen our cavalry
escort just then they would have been
positively handsome. There was only
one alternative, either to go ahead
and protect ourselves, or remain in
the Sioux village and camp there with
no tents, blankets or provisions II
was decided to move on. Our guns
were loaded, belts filled with cart.
ridges, bucklcd on, and every precau-
tion taken for defence. A friendly
Sioux, who was known TO be true
man, came forward mounted on his
pony, and took the lead, riding ten or
fifteen rods in advance. The bushes
at the crossings were considered the
first dangerous places, and after that
it was thought that the sharp turns
and precipiccs in a little strip OF the
bad lands on our road afforded the
best place for attack. On the open
broad prairies, which constituted the
great portion of the route, no danger
was apprchended.
OUR SIOUX FRIEND
usually rode ahead, sitting very erect
on his pony, his sixteen-shooting Win.
chester rifle we'll in hand. When the
open ground was reached he came
back to talk. ! have no doubt that
what he meant to say was very inter.
esting. Coming to seat he said eco.
lah, and wanted to shake hands i'm a
very cordial manner. was going te
ask him to call at the Herald building
when he=came to town, but could moi
quite make it. When he put his :un.
civilized finger in his mouth and blew
it away. lshowed him box Of fine
imported cigars, manufactured by
West & Fritscher, with q look which
said, "How is that for high?" Hi.
great broad bronze features lit uF
with q smile Of true inwardness
which replied, at is away up" HI
lit his cigar, took a fresh grip of hi.
rifle and went on to form, by himself