Connecticut western news., 1888-03-21

without injuring us. In vain l made the peace sign,' and in vain my inter- preter 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 tit- ting course of procedure to iaauguratc their campaign and show their contempt for the military by burning white officer at the stake and turning the war dance into scalp danca in honor of the occasion.
 'It 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 prison CT and to torturo mo on tho 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 I spent the few moments that remained in instructing 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. I was stunned at the suddenness of the calamity that was about to overwhelm me, and re- 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 really, the two bucks acting as my guard caught hold of me, and half led, half dragged mo toward the stake. The yelling savages closed iu around me with every evidence of pleased anticipation. As they wero 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 the crowd, and in mo- ment saw standing beside me Black Kettle, the head chief of the Kiowas. At his back were 30 or 40 of the most influential members of his tribe. had short time before performed an act ot kindness for this powerful chiet, and ] now waited in breathless suspense to see 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 curdling, while toma- hawks and spears fairly raiued about me-
 "Black Kettle said nothing, hut, talk ing up one corner of his blanket, ht held it out to me. Tho grip with whict the proverbial drowning man grasps at a straw isn't circumstance compared tt the way in which I clung to the dirty edge of that Indians greasy blan ket As long as Black Kettle permitted m' to thus protect myself under the shadov of his wing I knew that I was safe, fo the Conan ches would not dare to harm the protege, aud thereby secure the en mity of the great chief, whose tribe the, were excrting every effort to secure a allies.
 ''Strong words and arguments fol lowed the interruption. but finally re suited in my going off. still cliuging t. the skirt of Black Kettles garment, ant I was quartered in that chiefs lodge where could consider myself safe unti final disposition should be made of me
 ''Five of the longest days and night of my life were spent under Black Ret ties roof. had to partakc of dog sou and the other vile messes that he offere
 me, for fear of offending him by dc clining. At all times the air was file
 with yells and the sounds of tom toms At night was led forth to amuse m, captors, and in order that they ml gh gloat over my misfortune. They mad mo dance and sing and go through a
 kinds of ridiculous perform ,nces. Eacl
 day could sec that the Kiowas wel
 more inclined to join the Com an ches
 and I shuddered to think of what mus
 necessarily happen when they woul
 put on the war paint. had some hor
 that Spotted Dog had escaped, and tha
 troops would soon come to my assist
 ance, and yet I feared to have the1
 come, for had assisted too often in th
 capture of Indian villages not to kno
 that if the troops were successful the
 would in all probability find me dea
 and scalped.
 "On the fifth day my worst fea seemed about to be realized. TT squaws were busy tearing down tn
 tepees and packing up their belonging Long lines of them leading their ladc
 ponies were soon filing out of camp an
 going off I knew that this meant wa and that the women and children wel getting out of the way. Black Kett had not been near me all day, and
 was almost wild with suspense whel late in the afternoon, he appeared decked out in all his savage finery. | told me that after long deliberation, and his chiefs had decided to be alli , to the inches, and that he ha pleaded for my life in vain, but tn there was some hope yet. He ordert me to follow him, which did.
 "Outside of his lodge stood my hors s saddled and bridled, and with all of n r belongings just as had left them. I g led me and led the horse down to tl T edgc of the water, where were collect' l, 1 af of hath sldoa or