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

ruddy freight. They were having their
famous war dance, and gong 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 agai nst the post TO illus
trate the manner in which he will cleave
the skulls Of his unfortunate enemies.
CAS- soon as we were discovered by
them, we were surrounded by the howl
ing 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, brandish-
ing their tomahawks and spears, and
seeing how near they could come to US
without injuring US. In vain I 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 If
it would not be an appropriate and fit
ting course of procedure to iaaugurate
Aeir campaign and show their contempt
for the military by burning a white
officer at the stake ard turning the war
dance into a scalp dance 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 or
and to torture me on the spot. The
scouts Interpretation of the words and
the busy preparations Of the Indians in
formed me of tho verdict at the same
time, and l 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. [ was stunned
at the suddenness of the calamity that
was about to overwhelm me, and l re-
member feeling of anger at the order
on account of the provisions of which [
was to die a 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
me toward the stake The yelling
savages 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 al open
ing through the crowd. and in mo-
ment | saw standing beside me Black
Kettle, the head chief Of the Kiowa5.
At his back were 80 or 40 of the most
influential members of mis- tribe. l had
a short time before performed an act of
kindness for this powerful chief, and l
now waited in breathlCss suspense tosec
how he would return it. The Co.
man ches paused for a moment, and then,
maddened at the interruption of their
gentle pastimc, their yclls became moro
and more blood curdling, while toma-
hawks and spears fairly raiued about
me.
''Black Kettle said nothing, hut, tax
ing up one corner of his blanket, he
held it out to me. The grip with which
the proverbial drowning man grasps at
q straw isn't \ circumstances c0D,Dorod to
the way in which l clung to the dirty
edge of that Indians greasy blan ket.
As long as Black Kettle permitted me
to thus protect myself u1der the shadow
of his wing I knew that [ was safe, for
the Conan ches would not dare to harm
the protege, and thereby secure the en-
nifty of the great chief, whose tribe they
were exerting 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
| was quartered IN that chiefs lodge,
where I could consider myself safe until
final disposition should be made of me.
Five 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-
clining. At all times the air was filled
with wells and the sounds of tom toms
At night was led forth to amuse my
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 I could see that thc Kiowas were
more inclined to join the Comanches,
and 1 shuddered to think OF what must
necess sariIy happen when they would
put on the war paint. had some hope
that Spotted Dog had escaped, and that
troops would soon come to my assist
ance, and yet I 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