The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-07-15

rapidly away. walked steadily on.
Climbing hill, I sat on rock and mus.
ingly gazed at the vast plains to the north
east, at the foothills Of the range, and at
the rugged, rocky range beyond. I love
tie Rocky mountains, and never tire of
their face. I wasted hours in looking
and thinking Of the many tales had
heard Of the range. When the sun was
high above me started tor the willows.
There I neatly shot the heads off six
grouse. Then POINTING light trout pole,
/ whipped the clear pools of the
south fork of the Teton, and was soon re-
warded by string of fine halfpound
trout. Then came the pleasant walk
back through the cool, dry air, snd over
the crlspy grass Of the north. What lux
ury life was in the valley of the Teton
I turned my spoils over to tho smiling
The rest of the day spent on horseback
running antelope with lot Of half-bloo
Indians. At eight o'clock supper was
served and eaten. The sherry was
brought out, and scattered on the table
handful, my last, of Rosa Conchas that
had never paid duty, and as we sat smok-
ing, Burr told me this story:
"Ia the fall of 1868, l thought it
might be profitable to start trading
post in the Yellowstone valley. Learn
ing from the Blackfeet that the Sioux
were camped on the south side of the RI
yer, l determined to ride over and see
what arrangements I could make with
them. crossed the Belt mountains, and,
riding down the valley, was soon at their
camp, on the north side of the river,
they on the south. sat on my horse and
hailed the camp. No answer. l could
ste plenty of Indians walking about, and
again 1 shouted. No answer. shouted
myself hoarse, and the only notice taken
Of me was by an old buck, who walked
to the river bank, looked at me, made an
insulting gesture, and slowly walked off.
l went there to trade, and, having got
angry at the treatment, though 1 we'll
knew that ought to leave the valley at
once, I, like FOO, resolved to cross the
stream and brave the danger. So ford
cd and rode into camp. I spoke to no one;
no one spoke to me. The sullen braves
turned their backs on me as I rode past
them. The young girls looked curiously
at me. Riding slowly along, cooled
rapidly. I saw that was not wanted,
and at last fully realized that I was in
danger. I did not dare to ride to the
south, out of camp, nor did have cour-
age enough to attempt to cross the river.
"Before me stood great tent made OF
buffalo skins. It was the largest had
ever seen. 1 halted, dlsmounted, and
stood silently at my horses head. No
one noticed me. Indians went past me,
apparently not seeing me. At last a
young woman came and stood before me.
Looking light into my eyes, she said !;
''What do you want?' looked her cold
ly in the face and made no reply. Smil-
ing, she asked: "what brings you here2'
Steadily gazcd into her eyes and was
voicelcss. She lett me and disappeared
into the great lodge. Soon an Indian
warrior, in full paint with bow and strung
arrow in his hands, came to me. Speak
ing Blackfoot, he said: why are YOU
IN this Campo To him replied,'I wish
to trade with YOU More men came.
They took my horse, and Selling me oy
the arm they led me into the great lodge.
Here I was seated and a council was
held. I sat and listened to their talk of
what it was best to do with so presump-
tuous white man. Some were in favor
Of trading. The large majority OF the
Indians were in favor of torturing me.
1t was soon decided that should be tor
tured; and they sat and discussed the
many methods. After two days talk
it was decided to burn me. I was
in strange condition mentally. would
listen to a plan of torture as though it
was some other man they We're talking
about; and I would comment to myself
on that plan at giving the chap but little
chan:e for his life. But when the dusk v
brave, who spoke Blackf0ot, told me that
I was to die by fire the next day, I'm
derstood that was the man they had
been talking about, and | said: know
it, Clustering around me, they asked
II l had understood all the talk. Yes;
had Then why not answer the maiden
when she spoke to you? came not to
talk to squaws, but to trade with men,
No use; | could do nothing by soft talk,
and, having played my hand, finally re-
signed myself to my fate.
III noticed that the girl who had first
spoken to me in front of the lodge was
watching me. She would quickly glance
at me, and then drop her eyes on tho
buckshin shirt she was embroidering
with Crow hair. Several times l noticed
this, and once I replied with smile.
The lodge emptied. All were gone ex-
cept the girl. She quickly came to nv
side, apparently to refold some buffalo
robes, and, in q whisper, said: You are
to die tomorrow. Tonight l will have
the best horse in the camp saddled and
standing on the outside Of the lodge.
will have the tent cut from the Inside.
You jump through, mount, and de for
your life. You may escape. You will
burn If you stay Then with q smile,
The mare is mine. She is the fastest
animal in the valley of the Yellowstone.
I give her to you.' She left me and
quickly resumed her work. As she wove
the hair of many Crow scalp-locks into
the shirt sat looking thankfully at her.
She never looked at me again. As saw
chance for my life my heart beat 80
loudly that I thought it would be heard.
| Gained my face and waited. I ate
fairly Of supper. I smoked pipe. All
were very kind and attentive to me. Night
was passing away, and still the Indians
fingered, looking at the man to be burned
on the morrow. leaned back against
the tent to rest myself, when I felt a
hand gently pushing me forward. Sitting
whistllng I felt the point of knife come
through and strike my neck. I did not
finch. could feel the blood trickle
down my back, I could feel the knife
carefully drawn down until it hit the
ground. Still whistllng I waited, my
heart humping. my blood on tire-wait-
ed moment to give whoever cut the
tent time to escape. Then grasping nv
heart and nerves for a moment, I gath
cred myself and turned backward thro'
the opening. Jumping instantly to my
feet, vaulted into the saddle that was
on the back of q white horse that stood
there, and inthe midst of yells, of rifle
shots, of a pack Of bowling dogs, we
rushed out of camp. It seemed to me as
though thousand horse-men were LII
pursuit of me instantly. We galloped up