Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-01-25
AN INDIAN AND HIS CHILD.

have never known more touching
career than that of -the-Face, one of
the most notorious of the Sioux chiefs, whose
record during the late Indian wars excited
horror among the whites and envy among
his savage rivals Rain-in-the-Face is today
the most famous of the Sioux, with the ex-
ceptions of Sitting Bull and Gall. 1t was he
who, while under arrest at Fort Lincoln for
a crime which would have insured his death
on conviction, broke from the guard house
and escaped, although the guards were keep
ing careful watch about the building. Tall,
handsome, fierce and daring, he was the
pride of his followers. He knew no fear and
recognized no danger. Always ready for the
warpath, he was looked upon by the Indians
as an ideal chief; and by his vigorous prose-
cution of the war which ended so disastrously
to the immortal Custer, he gained world
wide reputation.
But to turn from war to the story of his
domestic life With the admiration of the
chiefs warriors came the love of maiden
one of the most beautiful of another, but
friendly, tribe. Rain-in-the-Face returned
the love and accepted the object of his
affection for his bride. The marriage was
an event of great Importance among the In
dians, and many were the gifts bestowed
upon the envied pair With his fame as a
warrior and his loving bride, the daring chief
seemed to have reaped the full reward of an
active and lin the Indian mind noble career.
Life was filled with happiness for Rain-in
the-Face. The sun never kissed happier
pair Without the CARES and burdens of So
of
with only the whispering wind for music and
the starry heaven for a roof, the Indian bride
and groom could drink the full and lavish
sweetness of their love.
But wherever found, whether in the palace
of the king or the wigwam of the savage, love
is inconstant. After a period of true devotion
to his wife, sudden change came over Rain
in-the-Face. He learned that the maiden
whom he had taken unto himself was not the
object upon which his love could center. He
still regarded her with kindness, but his
affections were transferred to another-not to
another maiden, but to the chubby boy who
had come to crown his life with pride and
glory.
The babe was yet bit Of tawny, express
ionless flesh, when he saw in his minds eye
pictures of greatness for the infant warrior.
From this time Rain-in-the-Face was changed.
His thoughts returned to the chase and the
warpath. He aimed to lead such a life that
the boy, emulating his example, might grow
up the leader of his race. What rosy pic
lures he painted for his son! Often at the
evening camp fire, when recounting his bat
ties and victories, would he speak with pride
Of Koslza the name given the boy and mean
ing ''youth'0, for whom he predicted a brill
liant and glorious career. With true Indian
superstition, he had watched the signs, and,
with the inevitable deductions of a father, he
knew that they all meant greatness and re-
nown for Koslza.
So ran the proud days for Rain-in-the-Face
until civilization began its work of contract
ing the Indian field. In every field it enters
civilization is an iconoclast, but nowhere is
its destruction of idols and hopes SO relentless
and so complete as among the Indians.
When the Sioux nation was placed upon the
immense reservation west of the Missouri
river the tribes were separated. Itso hap
pened that the tribe to which Rain-in-the-
Face belonged was stationed at Standing
Rock, while his wifes tribe was sent to the
lower agency Above all things that an In
dian resents it is removal from his tribe.
The tribe of Rain-in-the- Face being located
at Standing Rock, he insisted on remaining,
while the young wife and mother pined for
the company Of those with whom she had
been reared She had realized that Rain-in-
the-Face had little love for her. He was
even jealous of the affection which she re-
ceived from her pretty boy, who had now
grown to the toddling age.
Having remained at Standing Rock until
patience was exhausted, the wife departed
for her tribe, 800 miles distant, taking the
boy with her. She left while Rain-in-the-
Face was absent On a hunt. When the chief
returned he could learn nothing Of the where
abouts of his boy-he made few inquiries
concerning the wife, for her desire to return
TO her tribe rather than remain with him had
extinguished the last spark Of his love for
her, although he still regarded her jealousy
for the sake of his child 1t was month be-
fore he learned the truth. Day and night
had he searched, He had secured the reserva-
ton, but no koska did he find, and at last he
learned that the boy had been taken to the
lower agency. He knew of the boys attach
ment for the mother, and was aware that she
would be defended in her claim to the son by
every Indian in her tribe, where she was now
safely fortified. To add to his sorrow, his in
huence among his Indians had been broken
by the agent, who found this the only way to
make him submissive
For months he studied, planned and
dreamed devices for the return of little
Koska, The proud head dropped Rain-in-
the7Face was not himself. The hunt no
longer had charms nor did he join in the
shouts and dances His boy! He wanted his
Koska Wherever he went, whatever he did,
his mind YVES on the boy. How humble and
how meek was Rain-in-the-Face now! In
former years he spoke to the whites with con-
descension and disdain. Now he sought them
for advice and consolation
In conversation with one of his white
friends, he impaired the secret of his plans.
He had decided to go to the lower agency,
and, arriving in the night, steal the boy be-
fore the camp could be aroused. He wanted
the assistance of his white friends How he
quivered and how his eye followed every
motion of his friend, while he spoke. He felt
that the man was his FRIEND but he was not
positive, and he trembled lest his confidence
would be betrayed. But he proceeded. He
wanted his friend to inform another trusted
friend at the lower agency, who would give
him information regarding the location and
surroundings of the spot where his wife and
boy were camped. Having laid bare his
plans, he awaited reply. The friend was
nonpiussed at first, but having a high re-
gard for Rain-in-the-Face, and knowing how
deeply he was aggrieved, consented.
Rain-insthes Face sprang5 to his feet in exul-
fation. At last ray of light pierced the
gloom which had enshrouded his life for
months. Like a child who halts between
sobs and laughter, he paused and gazed at
the man who had given him the first kind
word-the first hope-that had cheered him
since the day he lost his boy. When he
stepped from the threshold Of his good
friends home to depart for his camp. that