The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-04-01

D6IOW mere. saw tu6lu the OtLeT Gay
Shoot some. Tonight we will have {
feast, and l will open my two last bottle:
of sherry, and we will talk" His face
hardened. The cold, deadly look return
ed to the gray eyes, and our breakfast
was soon finished.
Shouldering my rifle, I stepped out Of
the stockade and slowly walked down the
valley. On the distant hillsides antelope
grazed; down the valley before me ]
could see few deer running for cover
to the willows by the stream. Now and
then q grouse rose before me and few
rapidly away. Resisting all temptation
to shoot at anything, l walked steadily
on. Climbing a hill, | sat on a red rock
aud musingly gazed at the vast plains tc
the northeast, at the foothills Of the
range, and at the ragged rocky range
beyond. l love the Rocky Mountains,
and never tire of their face. I wasted
hours in looking and in thinking Of the
many tales [ had heard OF the range.
When the sun was high above ne /
started for the willows. There l neatly
shot the heads off of six grouse. Then
jointing q light trout pole, / whipped the
south fork of the Treton, and was soon
rewarded by a string of fine half-pound
trout. Then came the pleasant walk
through the cool, dry air, and over the
crispy grass OF the north. What luxury
life was in every valley of the Teton. [
turned my spoils over to the smiling
Indian woman who acted as cook for
Burr. The rest of the day [ spent on
horseback, running antelope with lot
of haIf-breed 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 Con
chas, that had never paid duty, and as
we sat smoking, Burr told me this story:
'In the fall of 1868 thought it might
be profitable to start a feeding post in
the Yellowstone Valley. Learning from
the Blackfeet that the Sioux were camp
ed on the south side Of the river, [ de-
termined to ride over and see what
arrangements I could make with them.
crossed the Belt mountains, and, riding
down the valley, was soon ct their camp,
I on the north side of the river, they or
the south. 1 sat on my horse and hailed
the camp. No answer. | could see plenty
of Indians walking about, and again ]
hailed. No answer. I shouted myself
hoarse and the only notice taken of me
was by an old buck, who walked tc the
river bank, looked at me, made an insult
ing gesture, and slowly wandered off, I
went there to trade, and, having got an
Cry at the treatment, though ] well knew
that ought to leave the valley at once,
I, like fool, resolved to cross the stream
and brave the danger. So I forded and
rode into the camp. 1 spoke to no one;
no one spoke TO me. The sullen braves
turned their backs on me as I rode up
the street. The young girls looked
curiouslY at me. Riding slowly along, I
cooled rapidly. I saw that I was not
wanted, and I at last fully realized that
[ was in danger. I did not dare to ride
to the south, ont Of the camp, nor did !
have courage enough to attempt to re-
cross the river.
Before me stood a great tent made of
buffalo skins. 1t was the largest I had
ever seen. I halted, dismounted, and
stood silently at my horses head. No
one noticed me, Indians went past me.
At last young woman came and stood
before me. Looking right into my eyes
she said: What do you want2' I looked
her coldly in the face and made no reply.
Smiling, she asked: What brings You
hare!' Steadily l gazed into her eyes and
was voicelcss. She left me and disap
peared into the great lodge. Soon an
Indian warrior in full paint, with bow
and strung arrow in his hands, came TO
ne. Speaking Blackfoot, he said: why
are you in this campo To him I re.
piled: L wish to trade with YOU More
men came. They took my horse, and
seizing hold of my arm they led me into
the great lodge. Here I was seated and
a council was held. l sat and listened tc
them talk of what it was best to do with
so presumptuous white man. Some
were in favor Of trading. The large ma
iority of the Indians were in favor of tor.
turing me. 1t was soon decided that ]
should be tortured; and they sat and dis
oussed the many methods. After two
days talk it was decided to burn me. ]
was in a strange condition mentally. ]
would listen to a plan OF torture, as
though It were some other man they
were talking about; aud / would com
ment to myself on that plan as giving The
chap but little chance for his life. Bu
when the dusky brave, who talked Black
foot, told me that 1 was to die by fire the
next day I understood perfectly that ]
was the man they were talking abou
and | replied: Il know it. CLUSTERING
around me they asked if I bad under
stood all the talk. Yes, / had 'Ther
why not answer the maiden when sht
spoke to you I came, not to talk t.
sqauws. but to trade with men, No use
/ could do nothing by soft talk, and
having played my hands finally resigned
myself to my fate.
Il noticed that toe girl who had frs
spoken 70 NE in front of the lodge wa,
watching me. She would quickly glsnc,
at me and then drop her eyes on tn,
buckskin shirt she was embroideriD,
with Crow hair. Several times l notice,
this, and once I replied with a smile
The lodge emphed. All were gone ex
cept the girl, She quickly came to n,