The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-13

wanted WINS rewarded by finding buffalo trail.
Cautiously feeling our way we zigznggcd down,
until the brink Of the river WIS at our feet.
There we and our horses qunfTcd the arrears Of
twenty hours OF thirsty travel. Up to the plains
ngain our horses pickctcd out. and our blnn-
kcls spread. l filed n pipe. and lighting it.
said 10 my cOmrade. Let me sleep In the
morning until awakc;I am used up" lay
on tho blanket with my head pillowcd on my
saddle. smoking. | thought Of tho mirage. Of
tho next days journey. wondered II I would
get out Of the country. or II | would die In 1t.
And thought how tho entry in the family Bible
in New York, opposite my name He went
into tho country OF tho Blackfeet." would look.
A rosgh hand on my shoulder. and n sharp
Wake upl" brought mo ~ my feet Looking
In Warmers earnest face asked, What's tho
matter?" Breakfast is ready. and It's time We
wore travelling" was his reply. I addressed
myself to that meal. ! ato trout caught by War
ncr that morning while slept. Thoroughly
good fellowl' said to myself OF my friend I:
then remarked that his appetite was not good.
In reply to my kind Inquiries no said that no
did not feel over and above we'll. As ate tho
last bite OF a fish. and was debating II could
manage another brown fellow that tempted mo-
Warner looked sharply into my eyes and asked
IL the sucking OF my fingers meant that had
finished, or was going to try that very brown
trout' Satisfied by this time that | could not
comfortably contain it, | prnctised sclf-denial
and remarked that would consider that break
fast finished when l had drink out OF the
water can. lighted my Pipe and sat on
my sallle. Then tho consdorato Warner
proceeded to strain up my manhood like tho
cords Of drum, by saying. Now that you have
filled that stomach Of yours. my boy. will toll
you something. We are in bad AZ. When
was ilshing this morning discovered camp Of
forty Indian lodges They are across the river,
and the Indians saw me. II you will turn your
head YOU will see some OF them watching us"
Looking around. saw several observing us
from over the brow OF a hill and behind rocks.
They suddenly disappeared. We looked into
each others faces Well?' said Warner. L,
not to be outdone in valuable suggestion. like
wise said WenT Then turning little in my
saddle. which WIS on the ground. united
bag OF ono hundred cartridges. Opening IT,
began to wipe Off tho tallow.
Going to fight for itT Warner asked.
Yes" was my reply.
AN right !" answered he. "Wo will get
| killed as sure as -" Warner was profane
| cleaned cartridges. Warner cleaned car
tridgcs aud we wondered and guessed what
tribe the camp belonged TO- Filling our cartridge
bolts. and putting handful in each pocket. VIZ
saddlcd our horses. and Warner led the way TO
the BLUM opposite the village. We studied ii
through our field glasses. Great bands OF
horses were feeding on the wide bottom. The
village was in an uproar OF excitement. Women
were saddling horses women were bringing
out guns men were catching horses with ropes /;
men were vaultng lightly on to the backs Of
horses and riding 70 tho river bank. joining a
crowd Of mounted Indians thorc. II was a
hopeless case. We could not run away; we
could not fight with any chance OF success. For
an instant we sat there discouraged. Then
turning to Warner said: We must cross into
their camp and blutT through Its death to fight
| them. death to run death 10 stay here; and II
can be but death 10 20 over among them"
He agreed with me instantly. We rodo down the
BLUM to the river bank. Dismounting We drank
deeply Of the cold water. then rode across tho
wide river by its ford and coming up out OF tho
water rode unhesitatingy into tho ranks OF
dark ilerce-lookng horscmen. Carelcssly dis
mounting we leaned the muzzles Of our rifles
against our breasts and returned the stern
glanccs cast on US. For few seconds We
silently looked at one another Then a gigan-
! tic Indian canted his ach-loading rife and
began 10 draw the buckskn cover over IT, He
dismountcd and walking TO me- with extended
| hand said, Howf' shook hands with him
and tcnderly inquired How p All of them
dsmounted: all said " How ?" all shook hands
with US. aud all put their covers over their
rifles.
In seemingly amicablo bunch we walked
toward the village. Our horses were unsaddlod
and taken from us. Many dogs that wished to
bite us were kicked by the Indians. We were
conducted TO huge lodge. whore
We were pointed TO a low couch.
Tho few occupants OF the buffalo
hide tent silently went out and we were left
alone. Soon a painted and bedeviled brave
came in. sat down in silence and devoted him
self 10 the task Of staring us out OF counte-
nance. Hopeless task | asked Warner II he
knew the tribe that had us. and what he thought
was our probable fate. No. he didn't know the
tribe. II they were Sioux. we would be- burned
alive; II Backfeet or crees. We might get on
and We might not Thereupon got humor-
ously reckless. and proposed. boy fashion. to
" make shoots " at the bedevlled one staring op-
posite me. Warner recommended me TO be-
have myself, and decorously wait for what
would turn up. Another painted and bedeyled
one came in, another. and yet others until
counted twenty; all stern OF visagc. all silent
all looking earnestly at us. A female face ap.
ncared Mt the lodge door. and pi pa and bag oi
tobacco were passed in. Each Indian took a
few puffs and passed tito his neighbor Warner
said 10 me in a careless tone: " Ii that Pipe IL
passed by US without our being asked to smoke
wowill be- on the shining shore tonight. and
our future occupation will not be loanng among
tho foot hills Of the Rocky Mountains but peck
ing tunes on celestial harps" Dolefully be-
walled 70 him my lack Of musical education
aud grieyed that l had so little ear for harI
strings or other instruments OF music; that al
though l was in the.artillery for three years
the only one OF the nty-cght bugle calls | eve
could learn was the water call. The pipe slow
worked around to the Indian next to me. II
smoked-oh, what reliefthere can be in the mo
ton OF human ARMAND handed il TO me.
Ismoked ana passed tito Warner. He smoke
and passed II on. An exquisite pipe that" h
remarked with glad tone. l nodded and 60
hungry at once. that being then my normal con
diton. and suggested to my friend that some
thing TO eat would be- desirable and that shoul
consider II u gentlcmanly and creditabe thin
In the red persons il they would bring foo,
Again received sage advice to wait. and Their
being nothing else to do followed it. A squav
hideous Of face. bent Of nguro, gray Of hair, OLD
worn out with the hard lnborious life Of wome