Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-07-11
A Heavy Stake.

Ifeyer there was a madman-I do
not mean crazy man, observe, Dut a
man mad with rage-it was our COM
mander, Colonel Rawle, when the
two hundred men he had sent out on
special expedition marched into the
tort, after ali absence of two weeks
without having accomplished their mis-
sian.
He stamped, be stormed, he swore
he called the commanding officer dolt,
an idiot, an incapable but we were
used TO the ways Of our kind hearted
vet irascible colonel, 80 the captain
held his peace till the storm exhausted
itself, and then quietly explained how,
in spite of his forced marches and stren-
nous efforts, the tribe OF Indians he
was 10 search of bad kept out OF bis
way so tbathe had had no opportunity
even 10 speak 10 or demaud ofthem the
surrender of their chief, who had just
laid himself open TO the execration Of
every heart with a remnant of human
ity in it, be it that of Indian or pale.
face.
The facts in tie case were these
Our regiment was stationed at one OF
the forts that guard the fr)stiers OF the
Indian reservation, and 1t was the duty
of the commanding officer TO act, when
necessary, as a sort Of chef Of police,
to keep order among the nations, 10
seek out and arrest any Indian who Of
Tended against the laws, and hand him
over to the civil authorities. 1t was in
a case ofthis latter kind that the un.
successful expedition had been sent
to arrest one of tho Kiowa chiefs, who
had seen fit 10 seize an emigrant and his
family, who had ignorantly trespassed
on bis allotted domain, scalp and burn
them alive.
Leaping Panther was the name oi
this wretch, and it was signi6cant
cognomen for he was noted as being the
fercest and most blood-thirsty ofall his
fierce nation, and an inveterate hater
of The whites,
Long before this last outrage upon
humanity, Colonel Rawle had wished
for a pretext 10 seize upon him; for al
though he bad till now been cunning
enough 10 keep within the bounds oi
the law, yet he was known to be the
inciler of many lawless act on the
part OF his less crafty brethren. In
brief. be was one of those mean, con-
temptible creatures, so abundant in
civilized life, who use others less crafty
10 work out their own evil designs,
kee ping cautiously in the background
themselves one of the 'Fledgely' race
W HON Dickens pet has photographed
80 truly.
A man of Leaping Panther's unrulJ
nature was like q smoulderiIg fire. brand
in the midst Of a brush'heap. TIT
government had certain information
that bis one OBJECT in life was to inc!te
and urge on the Indian tribes in the ma
ticn TO make open war on the whites
but as yet, although the several com
manders of tho forts along the frontiers
had strict orders to arrest him on the
6rst plausible prelext, no opportunity
had been found.
But now at last the evil passions ant
brutal nature OF the man had betrayed
him iuto fearful violation Of the laws
under which he held his life and do
maius; yet still, as Colonel Rawle e.
| bitterly deplored, he remained free ant
defiant.
Gentlemen spoke the colonel, tn
evening o. the return OF the unsuccess
ful expedition, that brute must be Ia
ken-by force, if it need be. = But =
wish 10 avoid that. as it might lead &c
general war peaceable means must b.
exhausted frat. Therefore make yo
this proposition. 1 feel my honor con
lserned in the capture Of this wretch
I am rich man, as you we'll know, ant
I will willingly give a reward OF tw
thousand dollars for the arrest oil thl
human monster without the shedding Of
blood. If any of you feel like under
taking The task Qt is hazardous one
Of course,) l will give him leave
bsence, and detail twenty men 10 az
comrany him, be likes. need hardl
add that if any officer Of mine succeed
| in capturing this wretch shall repo
his name for promotlcn. Enough sai'
gentlemen think it ever
'Enongh saidl' Aye, truly, enoui
to set my brain whirllng and my heal
leapiDg with hopes that had long bee
dead. Two thousand dollars =! VIII.
that would 9, flee 10 commence llie o
a homestead OF my own-.he only III
I CARED TO live with sweet Maj
7 Welsh al my ,ide. She loved me, th
n l knew, but even if 1 had been Selts
e enough to urge it, she would new
marry me without her fathers conser
tapd that be had teiased, because l W