The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-03-15

in less time than 1t takes to tell it were
landed within the living circle. The
Indians danced around us, brandish-
ing their tomahawks and spears, and
seeing how near they could come to us
without injuring US. In vain made
the peace sign,' and in vain my inter-
prefer protested that our object was
simply to pay friendly visit. A grand
council was at once ordered to decide it
it would not be an appropriate and fit
ting course Of procedure to inaugurato
their campaign and show their contempt
for the military by burning white
officer at the stake and turning the war
dance into scalp dance in honor of the
1 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 u,, and it
was decided to hold the scout a prison er
and to torture me on the spot. Tho
scouts Interpretation of the words and
the busy preparations of the Indians in
formed me of tho verdict at the same
time, and spent the few moments that
remained in instructiug the scout to
escape as soon as possible and report at
the post all that had happened.
'My recollection of my sensations at
that time is very vague. ! was stunned
at the suddenness of tho calamity that
was about to overwhelm me, and Ire
member feeling of anger at the order
on account of the provisions of which I
was to die horrible death for no other
reason than that of having done my
duty.
But 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
mo toward tho stake. Tho yelling
savagcs closed in around me with every
evidence of pleased anticipation. As
they were about to bind me to the stake,
and the last ray of hope seemed gone, a
powerful form made for itself an open
ing through tho crowd, and in mo-
ment l saw standing beside me Black
Kettle, the head chief of tho Kiowas.
At his back were 80 or 40 OF the most
influential members of his tribe. had
a short time before performed an act of
kindness for this powerful chiet, and l
now waited in breathlcss suspense tosee
how he would return it. The Co.
manches paused for moment, and then,
maddened at the interruption of their
gentle pastime, their yells became more
and more blood curding, while toma-
hawks aud spears fairly rained about
me.
"Black Kettle said nothing, but, TAX
ing up one corner of his blanket, he
held it out to me. The grip with which
the proverbial drowning man grasps at
straw isn't circumstance compared to
the way in which clung to the dirty
edge OF that Indians greasy blanket.
As long as Black Kettle permitted me
to thus protect myself under the shadow
of his wing l knew that 1 was safe, for
the Conan ohes would not dare to harm
the protege, and thereby secure the en-
nifty of the great chief, whose tribe they
were excrting every effort to secure as
allies.
Strong words and arguments fol-
lowed the interruption, but finally re-
suited in my going off, still clinging to
the skirt of Black Kettles garment, and
l was quartered in that chiefs lodge,
where could consider myself safe until
final disposition should be made of me.
Give of the longest days and nights
OF my life were spent under Black Ket-
ties roof. l had to partakc of dog soup
and the other vile messcs that he offered
me, for fear of offending him by de-
cliniug At all times the air was filled
with yells and the sounds of tom-toms
At night l was led forth to amuse nv
captors, and in order that they might
gloat over my misfortune. They made
me dance and sing and go through all
kinds of ridiculous performances. Each
day l could see that tho Kiowas we're
more inclined to join the Com chcs,
and l shuddered to think OF what must
necessarily happen when they would
put on the war paint had somo hopc
that Spotted Dog had escaped, and that
troops would soon come to my assist
ance, and yet l feared to have them
come, for had assisted too often in the
capture of Indian villages not to know
that if 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. The
squaws were busy tearing down the
tepees and packing up their belongings.
Long lines of them leading their laden
ponies were soon filing out of camp and
going off. knew 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 suspense when,
late in the afternoon, he appeared,
deckcd out in all his savage finery. He
told me that after long dcliberation, he
and his chiefs had decided 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, anil with all of my
belongings just as had left them. He
I III