, 1886-02-16

BaDyt Dog
lilo had come 70 insult and degrade
me, II not to provoke an excuse for xiii
ing me on tho spot, and after he had do
parted fully realized that with such an
enemy in camp | could not feel certain
of living another hour.
did not leave my lodge again until
night, at which time ] vent to n lodge a
few yards away TO secure supper. The
occupant was an aged squaw. who had
not only been ordered to feed me, but |
had gained her gratitude by healing a
rank sore on her neck, first caused by a
splinter from n load Of fagots she was
carrying. She had an unusually hearty
supper ready, and as she saw that | had
but little appetite she looked cautiously
about her and then made signs for me
TO eat all | could. When my look OK.
pressed wonder she resorted to the sign
language TO demonstrate n man alone
on the plains striving TO escape from
something or somebody.
Had my Indian friend taken her into
his confidence, | had hardly asked nv
self the question when she answered It
by pointing to the meat in the kettle.
and then to the tree under which / had
agreed 10 meet him. When she saw
that com~prehended she smiled and
nodded her head. The grateful old
squaw wished me Godspeed.
II.
In IN Indian village, when there is
nothing OF Importance going on, most
OF the people have turned in by o O'Clock
in the evening. and at 10 only the dogs
are astir. Had ! been strange to these
brutes could not have stepped outside
the lodge without creating a rumpus
and without being attacked. | had
moved about among them 80 long. how.
ever, that, although every canine in tho
village, from the oldest veteran down
to the smallest pup, hated me, they let
me pass TO and fro unchallenged.
II was after 10 O'Clock, and the vii
lage had been quiet for some time, be-
fore | moved. | reasoned that the
boldest way was the best, and when
once outside the lodge l started of like
one having a perfect right to go and
come. My footsteps must have been
heard in some of the lodges, but no one
reused out to halt me or make inquir-
les. ! maintained an even pace to the
outskirts Of the village, and her halted
for five minutes to listen. Everything
was quiet. even to the dogs. and when
satisfied Of this | made straight for the
tree.
The Indian was there holding a horse.
Tho animal was bridled and saddled,
and ] soon discovered that he was one
captured from the soldiers. A blanket
and a quantity Of provisions were
strapped behind the saddle. AS | came
mp the Indian extended his hand to
grasp mine and whispered.
Hurry Ride two days Come to
fortl Keep straight this wayr'
God bless you" | said, as ! wrung
his hand.
Take rifle Take powderl Take
bullets he said rs mounted the
horse and the articles were handed up
one after another.
Good Bye
"Hnrry' Ride fast Maybe Dog Killer
come after youv'
lie hurried away in the direction of
the village. and ] headed to the north
east, walking me horse for half a mile.
and thon urging him TO n canter and
holding him to il for two hours. had
made II successful start, and was highly
olated thereat. The only drawback was
the fear that I might not preserve the
proper direction. II was n dark, star
less night. and ii would have tested the
powers OF an Indian to keep dead to the
northeast.
My horse did not got n breathing
spell until about > O'Clock in the morn
ing. was then at least thirty miles
from the village, and had heard nothing
10 alarm me. d~ismounted on the open
plain. removed the saddle, and had
rested with the horse for perhaps half
nm hour when he suddenly threw up his
head and looked keonly into the dark.
ness toward the southwest. put my
ear to the ground, and the thud, thud
OF n horses feet on the plain was dis
tinct. IL was some one coming up on
my trail, and ii must bo an enemy.
| saw my steed draw a long breath
and throw up his head, as if to utter a
neigh Of welcome, and | had him by the
jaw in n second. ! could not make him
lie down, and | dared not let 20 my
grip. Thudl thudl came the hoof beats,
and after two or three seconds n
horse and rider passed within fifty
feet of us, headed to tho north
east. 1t was simply a blacker spot on
the dark night, and my heart was in
my mouth Rs it came opposite. | felt
certain that ii was Dog Killer on my
trail. When / could no longer hear the
hoof beats | released my horse and sat
down to plan my future course. The
chief could not be following my trail in
the darkness, but he was pursuing my
direction. My escape had been discoy-
cred, and he, in all probability, reasoned
that | would make for the nearest post.
lie may have depended on accident to
overhaul me during tho night. II this
did not occur he could pick up the trail
when daylight came, and perhaps might
even be able 10 see me.
To ride ahead was to encounter him
Therefore, as | saddled up, / determined
10 ride TO the east for a full hour, and
then bend back toward my true course.
In this way, il he was waiting for me, |
would flank him. | rode n distance OF
about eight miles and then turned
square TO the north, and kept moving
until ! saw the first signs Of daylight.
Then ! dismounted and unsaddled again
and was fortunate enough TO find water
for the horse in a small natural basin.
Day was so long coming that the animal
was fairly rested by the time / could
distinguish objects a mile away. When
! had the saddle adjusted the sun was
rising.
All around was an open plain. Away
TO the east ! saw two or three black OBJ
lects on the line OF the horizon, but all
other points OF tho compass was clear.
Mounting, l took up what / believed
to be a true course for Fort Dodge, and
| had ridden for about an hour when
Dog Killer suddenly loft the cover Of a
dry rayine half a mile TO the left and
rode straight at mo. My first impulse
was 10 fly, but then came the thought
that his horse could travel two feet
while mine was going one, and | halted,
loaped to the ground, and got my rife
ready. Tho willy savage halted at thin
movement. He had the idea that ! left
camp unarmod. while he could now see