River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-03-19

passed. How very lonely the house
was without Robert.
Albert Davis slept every night, wrap
ped in his blanket, on the kitchen floor
but still Katy would wake sometimes in
the night with start of terror. One
night she awoke thus and listened.
What did she hear? Some one was
breathing in the room. she was quite
sure. She lay, holding her breath,
not daring to move or scream
At last she could endure it no
longer, so she gave one spring from the
bed towards the bureau, and lit a match.
Nothing to be seen; but she felt sure
that an Indian was skulking behind the
foot board. She knew well that the
way to manage an Indian was to show
no fear, but to face him boldly. She lit
candle and looked about. Still no
one to be seen. Then she listened again,
and heard the breathing distinctly.
Now it sounded towards the window
BY this time her fears were somewhat
allayed, so she stepped quickly up to
the window, and there beneath it lay a
large dog that belonged to the Indian
Buffalo. He was in the habit of COM
ing to the house, as Katy sometimes
took pity on the poor, starved creature
and fed him. It was his breathing that
had sounded so near to her in the still
ness of the night Katy went to bel
without disturbing Albert Davis, but
she had been so frightened that she
could not sleep soundly all night.
Upon the next day Katy saw a
strange and alarming sight. Several
Indians passed the house, In war paint.
Frightful looking creatures they We're,
and she waited anxiously for Albert
Davis to come in and explain to her
what was going on. He came soon,
know ing that she would be startled.
"Oh, Albert! !" said Katy, looking as
pale as if she had never had any bright,
pretty color in her cheeks, what has
happened?"
"Well," said Albert, "there has an
other tribe of Indians squatted not a
dozen miles from here, and our folks
are tearing mad about it. They've got
on their war paint and they're having
dance down yonder. If you go to the
door, you can hear them yell like a
pack of wolves"
"Oh, Robert, Robert! If you were
only here!" moaned Katy.
Il wish he was here" said Albert.
Hes got some influence with EN-, and
if something don't turn 'em therell be
bloodshed but never you fear, Katy.
They haven't any thought of harming
us, and if our folks get the best of it in
the fight, we're safe enough
But if the strange Indians beat ours
and come down here to burn their
wigwams ?" said Katy, with trembling
voice.
"There is my rifle" replied Albert.
land John Fletcher and Jim Cook are
good shots. | fancy we three could
scatter score of them rascally red
devils"
The Indians filed off into the woods.
Albert, with the other two traders, kept
watch over the little house all day. AT
night, wild whoops were heard in the
forest. The Indians were coming back
to their wigwams victorious, and bear
ing six scalps in triumph.
at is all right, said Albert, coming
into the little house "Our folks have
driven the strange Indians out of their
hunting grounds, and have brought
home six scalps."
"Horriblep exclaimed Katy.
"You had better stiff,en your nerves,
madame, for they intend to bring them
here, and in the absence Of the Ogamar,
YOU are expected to do honor to the
brave Warriors"
ooh, | can't, L can't" said poor Katy.
81 should faint at the sight.
"You must control yourself" said
Albert earnestly. eve had better keep
on the right side of these savages Just
now, while they are excited. Find
some ribbons or some bright rags, and
decorate the scqlps. That is all that
will be necessary"
KATY pressed her lips hard together,
and went to do as he babe her. In a
few minutes, the Indians were at the
door. Six poles were carried by six OF
the braves, and the scelps We're dan
Cling upon the ends of the poles. Katy
opened the door, and they bowed low
before her, presenting the scalps for
her inspection. She felt faint at the
sight of the bloody trophies, but nerved
herself to what she knew she must.
She brought out some bright red rib
bons and tied one upon each OF the war
locks Of the scalps. She then present.
ed each warrior with plug OF tobacco.
Albert had given her the tobacco Tor
them. twas an article much in demand
among the Indians, and he had stock
of it to exchange for skins.
The Indians were highly delighted
with her behavior, and each received
his plug Of tobacco with gratltied
Ugh. +" They took their departure
with the scalps still borne upon the
poles, and they spent the night In dane
ing around them and smoking the to-
bacco in their pipes.
Three days after this event, Robert
came back. Katy flew into his arms,
and sobbed upon his breast. Robert
kissed the tears away.
II have seen Albert" said he, and
have heard what brave little woman
you have been"
For another year Robert and Katy
lived In their little home in the wilder
ness. Then they babe adieu to their
| dark Drowned friends, and took their
baby son Robert with them to live In
city. where he could be educated.
They grew rich and prosperous, but
they never forgo THEIR two years among
the Indians, and whenever q wandering
company of them came through the city
where they lived the squaws found a
purchaser for their baskets or beadwork,
in the rich Mr. Grant. and they often
received gifts and always kind words
from Iris wife Elizabeth Stocking.