Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-27
NV first impulse was to open fire on


| shooting. and that there were twenty
| against one in such contest. l re-
solved to accept the truth of the axiom
| that dis erection is the better part OF val
| or, and withhold hostilities.
1t was well did. for moment af-
| terward one Of the painted warriors
| stepped out from ambush and intimat-
ed that II would put aside my gun.
my life would be spared.
/ cannot say | was particularly
| cheered by the prospect OF captivity
among that villainous band Of savages
or. perhaps. some barbarous death ut
| their hands. but looked at the matter
philosophically and accepted the terms
npon the ground that live man might
escape whereas dead man could not
Two minutes after / had signiiied
my acceptance. the hideous faced horde
had taken possession of my weapons.
bound my hands upon my back. and
were ready to start toward their village
with me.
For the next hour l was dragged
along at n rapid pace over the rough
country until. at last large aggrega-
ton OF tents and huts appeared before
me, making it evident that my destna-
| ton had been reached.
Our approach to the village was hail
ed by a ceaseless barking of number
less half-starved dogs. urged on by the
wells and ki-yi of about as many half
dressed pappooses of both sexes, who
made mad rush toward us the
moment We were sighted entering the
gorge.
With this yelling addition to the
party compr sing my escort l was
marched into the village, and secured
in central location when l would
serve as the cynosure Of all eyes; then
q long pow-wow was held between the
warriors. doubtless to determine what
disposition should be made of their
hated captive.
While the council was still in session.
| was approached by trim, olive-hued
maiden. whose shy manner and grace
full form quite captiyated me from the
moment | saw her
| was also impressed with the beauti-
full cast of her round face, and the
color and texture of her long. flowing
hair. 1t was of fine texture and in
stead of the raven blackness common
TO the Indians locks was beautiful
wavy chestnut hue But for her dusky
hue she might have passed anywhere
for other than an Indian maiden.
She came up closely. cast n quick
glance toward the council-lodge to see
if her actions were observed and then
in soft, musical voice said
"Me white mans friend. Iniun
want to kill you; me save pale face
sure!"
She turned about quickly and trip
ped back among the other swarthy
women before | could find an oppor-
tunity to speak to her.
The incident made profound i'm
preston upon my mind-so much so.
in fact. that when the council spers-
ed. showing by their eXuberant
spirits that some torturng death had
been decided upon rs my portion, | was
but little Disconnected by the threaten
ing clamor around me.
was taken into a small hut-the on
~ one in the village-and with two
armed savages guarding the doorway,
my bonds were cut and | was left to
nv meditations.
1t was now nearly dark. and soon
after | had been domiciled in the cab
in. an old Indian woman brought in
nv supper.
From that time until toward mid
night. hour after hour dragged by
YEARLY without a single incident to re-
lieve the tiresome monotony.
Then | began TO feel less secure. |
had. for some vague reason or other,
put almost implicit confidence in what
the Indian girl had told me, but when
midnight came and no signs OF my pro-
fessed friend had been apparent, l
began 10 lose heart and regard the
girls words as but the mere declara-
ton of one who was willing but pow
eress TO render me aid.
From what had been able to CLEAN
from the excited jargen of the savages,
the next morn ne at sunrise had been
the time set for my death-and that
death was at the stake so, as might
be imagined. was not in very cheer
full mood when | realized that but six
hours interviewed between the present
and the hour of my dissoluton-or
rather OF my cremation.
| looked about me for some means of
escape. There were none. A solid
bank of rocky earth formed the rear
wall; solid oak logs served as the 9TH
er three walls and two armed men sat
or stood at the doorway, eager to per-
forate me with bullets at the slightest
attempt TO make my exit.
sank down upon the earthen floor.
utterly detected and hopeless, and was
deeply absorbed in my despairing
thoughts when | became aware of q
slight movement behind me.
turned, half-frlghtened when to my
infinite surprise one of the boulders
comprising the rear wall was gone. and
L could look out upon the star-lit scene
without
What did it mean-escape? or was it
some fiendish device TO assassinate me
before my appointed time?
All doubt was removed the next in
slant when the pretty face of my dusky
friend appeared at the opening. and
reckoning nod enjolned me to follow
her.
Making sure that the guards had not
observed what had occurred. lost
little time in slipping through the aper-