Thomas County cat., 1888-04-05

They made me dance and sing and 60
through all kinds of ridiculous per.
formances. Each day ] could see that
the Kiowas were more inclined to join
the Comanches, and l shuddcred to
think of what must necessarily happen
when they would put on their war
paint had some hope that Spotted
Dog had escaped. and that troops
would soon come 10 my assistance. and
yet l feared to have them come. for !
had assisted too often in the capture Of
Indian villages not to know that it the
troops were successful they would in
all probability find me dead and
scalped.
''On the fifth day my worst fears
seemed about to be realized. Tho
squaws were busy tearing down the
tePees and packing up their belong
ings. Long lines of them leading their
laden ponies were seen filing out Of
camp and going of 1knew that this
meant war: and that the women and
children were getting out of the way.
Black Kettle had not been near me all
day. and ! was almost wild with sus-
pense when. late in the afternoon. he
appe ared. decked out in all his savage
finery. H, told me that after long
dellberation. he and his chiefs had de-
cided to be allies to the COmanches.
and that he had pleaded for my life in
vain, but that there was some hope
yet He ordered me to follow him,
which did
Outside of his lodge stood my
horse. saddled and bridled. and with
all of my belongings just ~ had left
them. He led me and / led the horse
down to the edge Of the water. where
were collected all Of the warriors Of
both tribes and their ponies. l was
then informed that I would be allowed
to cross the river and gain the usder-
brush on the other side. after which
Black Kettles protection would have
to cease. and the whole two tribes
would engage in a pleasant little fox
hunt with me rs fox. The word was
given. my revolver was handed 10 me,
and Iplunged in.
Tho river was not wide. but very
deep. and quite swift. l slipped of
my horse. and. taking hold of his tail.
allowed him to tow me slowly across.
During the few moments of crossing.
my brain was very active. and when
the horse scrambled up the bank my
plan was formed.
1t was by this time almost dark.
and when the horse reached the top
Of the bank I stopped him. and tight
ened the saddle girth in full view of
the Indians. who. true to their word.
waited for me to disappear in the un-
derbrush before taking TO the wafer
The moment that l struck the brush
yell from hundreds of Indian throats
reached me. and the bullets cut the
brush all around me.
Il leaped from my horse. and with
my pistol barrel gave him 4 whack
over the rump that knew would send
him on gallop clear into the for.
knew. too. that the Indians would fol-
low his trail. so I slipped as quietly as
possible up side coulec and hid until |
the Indians passed me. when made
tracks for another fort about twenty
five miles distant
MY ruse proved successful. for the
indians. thinking. of course, that
would try to get home. followed my
horses trail. and left me unpursued.
Travelled all that night. and reached
my destin alton just as the bugles were
reveiile. On the day follow
ing went back under escort to nv
proper post.
Much to my surprise. upon my ar
rival there. nothing had been heard of
Spotted Dog. and it was not until
afterward that found that the
faithful fellow had been shot by the
Indians while trying to obey my in
to escape.
'This was not the only time that
Black Kettle befricnded me. and when
General Custer and his command re.
turned from their winter compaign
that ended with the battle of the
it was with genuine sorrow
hat Learned of the old chief death."
N y Sun.