New-York tribune., 1885-08-09
DINNER WITH THE CHEYENNES.

A GLIMPSE OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY.
lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
SrDAIIA. No., July 29.-I was out Of the beaten
path. and my driver with puzzled air looked about
over prairie. field and mound. declaring "things
had changed wonderfully In the last MONTH"
Fact is," Caleb continued ." drive little way to
the north expecting outlet, and plump up again
barbed wire fence it's the way east and west.
The cattle men have been fencin in sence was here
two months ago."
There was nothing to be done but to walt patiently
until Caleb had fed bis ponies. Tired and hungry I
crept from beneath the protecting Of the
awning stretched the wagon hoops and looked
abont Thousands of cattle grazed in the Enclosures
in the east south and west. 1t was leafy juno and
the prairie lay in all its tender. green beauty. A
forest thick and dark toward the south, sugges-
tive of coolness and solitude
I" Don't ventur' In them woods alone" was Caleb's
Injunction, as he calmly sat upon the sack of corn
watching the "criiters eat" It was always safe to
listen to Caleb. who had driven the plains
peatedly, therefore ! did no. venture to walk any
where. At last the greedy ponies had eaten enough
and Caleb was pleased to " move on" Hunger was
beginning to animate bis movements.
" feel rs IL | could eat lnjun c0okin." Perhaps We
had best hunt out somc lodge or tent bit OF dried
meat wouldn't be in my way now" said he. driving
near the woodland. Suddenly the sky became lesden
blew cool and in our faces. few miles were gone
over in dismal way when Caleb halted before
crazy, dirty building OF old and undre>sed plank
surrounded by black looking canvas-covered wagons
Horses cattle dogs, cats and fowls aud
unconfned. nlen and boys in filthy costume l0unged
idly against the wagons and neighboring trees. and
sacks great eIss ay s .s
Filth and dirt, squalor and poverty were shown in
disgusting degree The braves stood stodly against
their guns ne ther BIZ Sign nor speech welcoming
rh; (al. tn nj
loudly with shrill whistle Of the women to the
door who understood English and spoke it brokenly.
Mrs. Bushyhesd was willing for compensation to pro-
vide lunch for Caleb and myself Before rude open
fireplace of rough stones Sluaw Sarah baked the
cake, a sourcd mixture of corn dough In which
number OF 0ies h,d fallen. and fowl was quickly
slaughtered denuded of its feathers an thrust into
black, battered pot doing duty tor stew-pa coffee
boiler and water pot Around Squaw Sarah halt
dozen other clad in filthy faded ragsclustercd t
ting upon low stools. Upon box. black and DID, bear
ing the marks of many dirty hands. Squ.w Sarah
spread our dinner which untasted by me,
though Caleb contentedly mnnched corn dodger.
partook of the chicken stow and ate with relish the
cured beet Not word was exchanged until Caleb
paid for the dinner had not eaten. Then Sauaw
Sarah grasped the silver coins muttered something
and ont into the briskly falling rain went. climbed
into onr wagon drew around us the heavy robes and,
with one backward glance at the malicious faces Of
unwilling entertainers. started for the reservation OF
the more friendly Ch0ctaws and Cherokees.
sLould not like have mad with me- said Caleb
as he chirrupped IN the leading pony.
A" Arc they warlikep
Not exactly warliks but they not feeling much
brotherly love for the white Just at the present
time Only twenty miles to the next stoPppg place;
suppose YOU try 10 get wink OF sleep"
tnheeding uaIcbs advice l sat looking out upon
dripping trees and shrubs The backs OF the grazing
cattle steamed with moisture the rain drops fell upon
them; the grass. sprinked tbickly with oxeyed
daisies drinking in the moisture grew frcsher; the
water of the creek river by frequent rains
gurgleI melodiously. Ovcrhanging the banks were
plum and berry trees laden with delicious fruit
while tho ponies trampIed into the earth wild straw
berries ripe and luscious aud of good size. that grew
and ripened In this beautiful. silent. Indian Nation.
For miles not one face nor one small hut All
was waste and solitude. but beautiful beyond dcscrip
tion In its wildness.
"What n pity this country lies waste, when there's
coal timber wood and ater and the best of land all
in lump When will the Indians learn to under
staudingv this great wealth y said Caleb imprcssivey
his black snake driving whip, and sighting
our next stopping place.