The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-06-02
THE OFFICERS STORY.

posts on the northwestern frontier,
sought, at the same time, diversion OF
mind and shelter from the raging storm
in the officers club room. As | closed
the door, and pulled the visor of my
fur cap from over my eyes, 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.
"Dil l ever serve against the Co.
manches? Well, somewhat. was pris-
ouer of theirs for five days" one of the
older officers was replying to question
asked by one of the youngsters, as ac-
cepted an invitation to draw up chair
and JON 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.
Yes" continued he, 'Iwas 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
early in the spring rumors of pro-
spectivc 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 headquarters,
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.
81 was stationed with my company in
! a camp some little distancs from the
post with instructions to watch the
Comanches and Kiowas, whose camps
were few miles further on. Attached
to my company were two Indian scouts,
both OF them faithful fellows, in whom
, 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 .he Comanches were
DOMINIC their war paint and feathers
and endeavoring to induce the Kiowas
to follow their example, l could do
nothing less than order around my
horse AID ride up to the post to report
the matter.
"That very morning the order Of
which was just speaking had been re-
ceived, and when l reported what my
scout had told me received orders tc
bring my company into the post, and,
accompanied by only one scout, to ac'
as interpreter, to visit the Indian camps
and find out what l could about tn,
projected outbreak, and, if possible,
prevent it by moral suasion.
1T was a perilous undertaking,
very well knew; for if my scout haC
spoken truly, there was little probabilit.
of either of US coming back with on
hair on. But orders had to be obeyed
so, early in the afternoon, we set out
"The Ind ian was very dubious abou
the result of our trip, assuring me tina
what he had said was true. and tina
he best fate that we could hope 70
was to be taken as prisoners, and he'll
until peace was once again declared
Late in the evening we drew near t,
the Comanche camp. and long befor
we came in sight of it, the sound {
tom-toms and savage yells reached OF
ears.
1.-The scout here stopped and urge
our going back, saying that it was a
our lives were worth to enter the cam
at such a time, but l told hi
that must obey my orders and 9
ahead. and that if he so desired i
could 90 and tell his comrades that b
was afraid to follow the white chief
and had run away. l can sec the fello
yet, as he Strengthened up on his pom