The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1888-05-10
THE OFFICERS STORY.


sought, at the same time, diversion of
mind and shelter from the raging storm
in the officers club room. As | closed
tie door, and pulled the visor of my
fur cap from over my eyes, I could see
indistinctly through the tobacco smoke
with which the room was filled, little
group of officers seated around the al
most rcd=hot stove.
Oil I ever serve against the Co.
manchcs2 Well, somewhat. was pris-
oner Of theirs for five days" one of the
older officers was replying to q question
asked by one of the youngsters, as l ac-
ccptcd an invitation to draw up a chair
and JOIN the circle around the stove.
His reply was followed by a silence that
plainly indicated that the others awaited
the story that they knew must follow.
The speaker was a middle-aged man,
remarkably we'll preserved for his years,
and so graphic was his narrative that
one could almost believe himself an eye
witness of the scenes that he described.
eyes, continued he, Twas stationed
down in Indian territory at the time,
and we were literally surrounded by
Indians whom our presence alone pre-
vented from going upon the warpath.
The Kiowas and Comanchcs had been
for many years the bitterest enemies, but
carly in the spring rumors of pro-
spcctive trouble from both Of them were
very prevalent. According to these
rumors, the two formerly antagonistic
tribes contemplated uniting against
their common enemies, the whites.
Those repeated rumors were promptly
reported to department headq dquarters,
but as in every case nothing came of
them, an order was issued to the effect
that the next officer making any such
report should be sent to investigate it
and ascertain the facts before the report
was forwarded to the general command
ing the department.
Il was stationed with my company in
a camp some little distance from the
post with Instructions to watch the
Comanchcs and Kiowas, whose camps
We're few miles further on. Attached
to my company were two Indian scouts,
both of them faithful fellows, in whom
l could trust, and when one morning
one of them came to my tent and re-
ported that there was certainly going
to be trouble, as the Comanches were
dOnning their war paint and feathers
and endcavoring to induce the Kiowas
to follow their example, 1 could do
nothing less than order around my
horse and ride up to the post to report
the matter
THAT very morning the order of
which Twas just speaking had been re-
ccivel, and when IrepOrteI what my
scout had told me I received orders to
bring my company into the post. and,
accompanied by only one scout, to act
as interpreter, to visit the Indian camps
and find out what I could about the
projected ou break, and, if possible,
prevent it by moral suasion.
1T was a pcrilou3 undertaking, I
very well knew; for if my scout had
spoken truly, there was little pro bability
of either of US coming back with our
hair on. But orders had to be obeyed :;
so, early in the afternoon, we set out.
'tThe Indian was very dubious about
ho e +rirN hot
what he had said was true. and that
the best fate that we could hope for
was to be taken as prisoners, and held
until peace was once again declared.
Late in the evening we drew near to
the Comanche camp and long before
we came in sight of it, the sound of
tom-toms and savage yells reached our
cars
''Tho scout here stopped and urged
our going back, saying that it was all
our lives were worth to enter the camp
at such a time, but l told him
that must obey my orders and go
ahead, and that if he so desired ne
could 90 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 if 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 few moments we rode along in
silence, until, upon coming suddenly
around the base of low hill, our eyes
fell upon a sight that 1 shall remember
as long as live On the side of the
camp towards US a huge fire had been
built, near which post was planted in
the ground. Dancing around both was
horde of yelling, howling demons,
their barbarous arms and ornaments
shining, and the hideous outlines of their
painted faces showing clearly in the