Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-09-15

Enough sad Aye, truly; enough
to set my brain whirling and my
heart hopes that had long been dead.
Two thousand dollars Why, that
would suffice to commence life on a
homestead of my own--the only life |
cared to liye--with sweet Mary Welsh
at my side. She loved me. that |
knew, but even if had been selfish
enough to urge it, she would never
married me without her fathers con-
sent, and that he had refused, because
was only a penniless lieutenant,
whose pay would not support wife.
III you possess a couple of thousand
dollars, and would turn your attention
toward cattle raising instead of Indian
staying" said the prudent old gentle
man, Il would gladly welcome you as
son-in-law; but as it is-no."
"a couple of thousand AS well he
might ask me for couple of million
dollars, " | thought, as plodded weari-
ly through my monotonous duties.
But now there was a CLEAN of light
shining through the clouds. True, the
clouds were very dark-a thunderbolt
was in their midst, that might dart out
upon me and make a sudden end of it
all. But | did not care-life without
Mary was of less than no value to me !;
and so, as l lay tossed on my pallet
that night, resolved to cast my all
upon one throw of the dice to stake my
life in the game with fortune, daring all,
and winning or losing all.
Thus it happened that the next day
found me riding away from the fort,
accompanied by earnest "God-speed"
and anxious looks from my brother
officers, who had striven in vain to
dissuade me from my hazardous under
taking.
l preferred going alone, believing
that my best chance OF succeeding in
the object had in view was to find an
opportunity to seize upon Leaping
Panther apart from his people. l was
thoroughly acquainted with the country
| had to traverse, spoke the kiowa
language well, and had hit upon plan
to win the confidence of the chief, that
| felt was almost certain to succeed,
He hated the American soldiers and
made friends with Williams pursued by
them. / had resolved to be a escaped
murderer, seeking refuge with him
FROM the pursuit of the soldiers.
l left farewell letter for Mary, with
Colonel Rawle, to be forwarded to her
if did not return within two months
the utmost limit of the time | al
lowed myself, either in case of success
or failure.
eff | am not here by that time,"
said / to the colonel in parting, lit will
be because my life's journey is ended"
Our fort was near the southwestern
corner Of the territorial line, on the
border of the Kiowa country, and to
hull all suspicion on the part of Leap
ing Panther, made long detour, and
instead of entering his domains from
the south, where he knew his recent
deed of brutality had incensed every
man, | struck northward along the
western line, until | reached his north
ern boundary.
Before leaving the fort I had ex-
changed my uniform for a rough hunt
ing suit, such as was worn by the from
tiersmen; and after swimming creeks,
wading through marshes, anI plunging
among brambles, | soon came to look
fully the character | was about to play.
1t took week to make the detour,
although | used all possible speed. At
the end of that time, however, ! had
reached the desired position, and enter
ed boldly upon the domains of Leaping
Panther, feeling rather DESTROYS than
otherwise of a speedy meeting with
himself or his braves, while still near
his noi thern border, so that their own
eyes might bear witness to the likeli-
hood of the truth of my story-that l
was a fugitive from the white settle
ments to the north of the territory.
Well, for two days / journeyed on
without meeting single Indian. Just
as | was about to camp on the evening
of the second day, however, | noticed a
glimmer of light ahead of me.
lettering my horse, crept stealthily
forward to reconnoitre, and as | looked
on the scene thus suddenly presented
to my view, half smothered exclama-
ton of satisfaction burst from me, and
| felt that the stars were propitious, for
in the midst of group of twenty or
more Indians, l recognized Leaping
Panther.
| had seen him once, though he had
not seen me, and if ever there was
time when he could be found in good
humor, it was now and here.
saw at glance what was on the
tapis-a big supper of succotash--and /
if there is anything an Indian loves as
we'll as firewater, it is succotash, and if
ever he is friendly and hospitable it is
when his stomach is well filled from
that tempting dish.
SO resolved to lie down until the
feast was over, and then appear as a
suppliant for the remnants.
Evidently l had stumbled upon
one of Leaping Panther's villages, for
women and children were fitting to
and fro, and wigwams doomed up here
and there out of the darkness.
The central point of interest to all
was high, square framework of green
saplings, beneath which was roaring
fire, with two or three iron kettles sus-
pended over it, and in them the succo-
tash was boiling and frizzling,
l knew what it was from the traces
= 4. I