Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1879-05-24

river, and I knew that the Piegans were
coming. Soon dozen of these wild
horsemen were at the river bank. Ford
ing it, they rode up to the post and dis
mounted.
The listless, inactive Pixies, and the
seemingly stupid Hudson Bay men, who
had reduced loafing to fine art, had
become as alert as hawks. Rifles were
seized, and instantly the men took posi-
ton to cover the kitchen effectually. To
do this promptly, thoroughly, and still
not be Extensively obtrusive in doing it,
not to be insultingly suspicious of the
indians, was difficult feat; but it was
well done. Haley was left alone
in the kitchen; | was seated at
the door of the bastion. In walked the
warriors, each painted little more
hideously than his fellow, if that were
possible, and armed with breech-load-
ing rifle, revolver, q knife, bow and
a CULVER full of arrows; twelve fine
looking men, more or less than six feet
high, one of them the chief OF the Pie
CANS, known as Mountain. He wore a
silver medal, as large as saucer, that
had been given to him by President
Pierce. They informed Haley that the
Piegans would be up that night, would
camp near the post, and would begin
the trade the next day. A long talk en-
sued, the Indians demanding that their
chiefs should be allowed in the trading
room, and Haley insisting that they
should go into the Enclosure with the
others. He finally assured them that
not an Indian should be permitted in the
building, nor any white man out of it,
until the trade was over. He also re-
quired the chiefs to tell their young men
to keep away from the fort after night
fall, as good Indians could not be dis
tinguished from bad after dark, and
they might get hurt. The twelve grant
ed reluctant assent to this. Then they
were fed, and each got a big drink of
whisky. Hospitality discharged, the
Piegans walked out, mounted their
horses, and disappeared down the river.
During the afternoon the entire band
arrived and quickly pitched their lodges.
Then their squaws began cooking.
After dark the bucks ranged the camp,
the dogs howled, and the village was
full of laughter.
Early the next morning Haley awoke
me, saying, if ] wanted to see the camp,
he would show it to me before the trade
began, as after that it would be impos-
sible to see it. So we strolled out and
walked through the long streets, passed
men with heavy war clubs in their hands,
and noticed mounted men on the tops
of the hills watching the plains (this
land is fighting ground, and war par
ties forever roam it) for Sioux. Haley
explained to me that these men were to
keep sober, if possible; to keep order in
the camp, and to guard against hostile
Indians. Fastening back to the post,
we ate breakfast. After seeing to the
barring of the doors, the men stationed
themselves in the upper story of the
bastion. Haley, one man, and l went
into the trading-room. The heavy door
was shut behind us, and we heard the
great beam fall into place, effectually
cutting us off from the rest of the house.
Across the side of the room ran rough
board, making rude counter. Under
this was q row of full barrels of whisky
standing on end. Picking up an Ak,
Haley smashed in the head Of one of
these, and set his tin measures on the
counter within reach. The Indians be-
gan TO flock into the Enclosure. A dark
face peers through the window; a fold
ed robe is handed in; with rapid mo-
ton Haley spreads it open, looks first at
one side, then on the other. Holding il