Thomas County cat., 1888-04-05

for was to DO taken as prisoners. and
held until peace was once again de.
clared. Late in the evening we drew
near to the Comanche camp. and 10 ne
before we came in sight of it. the
sound of tom-toms and savage yells
reached our ears
''The scout here stopped and urged
our going back. saying it was all oul
lives were worth to enter the camp al
such a time. but I told him thai
I must obey my orders and go ahead.
but if he so desired he could go back
and tell his comrades that he was
afraid to follow the white chief. and
had run away. can sec the fellow
yet. as he Strengthened up on his pony.
and replied:
Spotted Dog would lie il he said
that he was afraid. He only wanted
to save the white chiefs scalp. and
will follow him wherever he dares to
lead
For a few moments we rode along
in silence, until. upon coming sudden
ly around the base of low hill our
eyes fell upon sight that shall re-
member as long as l live. If one
could look straight down into the low
est compartment of the literal hell, l
am sure that the scene would bc a
quiet landscape compared to what we
saw that night On the side of the
camp toward us huge fire had been
built near which post was planted
In the ground. Dancing around both
was horde of yelling. bowling. half
naked demons. their barbarous arms
and ornaments shining. and the hide
Gus outlines of their painted faces
showing clearly in the ruddy fire.
light They were having their famous
war dance. and going through the
ceremony Of striking the post, in
which each warrior able to bear arms
and willing to go on the warpath
strikes his tomahawk against the post
to illustrate the manner in which he
will cleave the skulls of his unfortu-
nate enemies.
':As soon as we were discovered by
them. we were surrounded by the
bowling savages pulled from our
horses. and in less time than it takes
to tell it were landed within the living
circle. The Indians danced around us.
brandishing their tomahawks and
spears. and seeing how near they
could come 10 us with them without in
juring us. In vain I made the peace
sign and in vain my interpret er pro-
tested that our object was simply to
pay friendly visit. A grand council
was at once ordered to decide if it
would not be an appropriate and fit
ting course of procedure to inaugurate
their campaign and show their con-
tempt for the military by burning a
white officer at the stake and turning
the war dance into a scalp dance in
honor of the occasion.
1T was decidedly case of packed
jury and. although one or two feeble
voices were raised in our behalf, the
popular verdict was against US. and it
was decided to hold the scout a prison.
er and to torture me on the spot
The scouts Interpretation of the words
and the busy preparations of the In
dians informed me of the verdict at
the same time. and / spent the few
moments that remained in instructing
the scout TO escape as soon as possible
and report at the post al that had
happened. 81,
my recollection Of my sensations
at that time is very vague. 1 was
stunned at the snddenness of the
calamity that was about to overwhelm
me, and I remember a feeling of anger
at the order on account of the provi-
sions Of which was to die horrible
death for no other reason than that Of
having done my duty.
'.But I didn't have long to think
even of that, for as soon as all was
ready. the two bucks acting as my
guard caught hold of me. and half led.
half dragged me toward the stake
The yelling savages closed in around
me with every evidence of pleased an
ticipation. As they were about to
bind me to the stake. and the last ray
of hope seemed gone. powerful form
made for itself an opening through
the crowd. and in a moment saw
standing beside me Black Kettle. the
head chief of the Kiowas. At his back
were thirty or forty of the most influ-
ential members Of his tribe. had a
short time before performed an act of
kindness for this powerful chief. and
l now waited in breathless suspense
10 see how he would return it. The |
Comanches paused for q moment and
then, maddened at the interruption of
their gentle pastime. their yells be-
came more and more blood-curdling.
while tomahawks and spears fairly !
rained about me.
':Black Kettle said nothing. but, TAX |
ing up one corner of his blanket he |
hold II Ont tn mo The Orin viii n which |