The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-09-11
and other things the amount would pur.

and other things the amount would pur-
chase, but he grew more and more ex-
cited, and finally shouted:
"Does the white man regard the Co.
manches as squaws that their heads can
be turned by soft talk2 Only the Dog
Indian begs for mercy from foe or takes
presents from an enemy. Were you to
offer all you had I would not give him
up. He shall die. have said i'll"
Finding him so obstinate and deter
mined, mentioned that had come
alone and placed myself in his power,
trusting to his honor to be permitted to
return in safety.
"Did Task you to Gomez" he thundered.
care you not here to insult me9 You
shall see the other prisoner die, and then
you shall suffer the same fate!"
began to protest, but was hurried
away to lodge, disarined, searched, and
very roughly used. Before being left
alone nay hands and feet were
tied, and the buck who did
this gave me good-day in the shape of
a slap in the face which made my teeth
rattle. I was left alone until just at dark,
when boy brought me gourd of water,
and helped it to my lips while I drank. I
thanked him, and inquired where the
Doctor was. He replied that he was con-
fined in lodge about two hundred feet
away, and that he would be put to the
torture next day. All the tribe within
call had been notified to be present. I
asked him about my own fate, and he
| said it was understood that I was to die
the day after. If there was any doubt
about this it was soon dispelled. The
boy had scarcely disappeared when old
Red Moon appeared. He was now fully
dressed as chief, and had on all his
dignity. I was lying on my back, and
he stood over me far moment, glover
ing down upon me with savage expression
before he said:
''Does the white man think the Co.
manchc dog that he can come into his
village and insult him2"
"On the contrary, the white man
knows the Comanches to be brave" re-
piled, "and no chief is greater or Drawer
than Red Moon" &
'sBut you come to buy us off,"
ssThe white man captured by your
brave warrior is neither a soldier, hunter
nor scout. Heis man of peace, living
far away. He has never harmed you.
He is a great medicine man among his
people. For these reasons bis friends
hoped the great chief would spare his
life. We wished to make you pres
ent."
"White dog, you le!" shouted the
Chief. "You wish to get us in trap"
I argued and protested, and again ap-
pealed to his honor in my own case. He
heard me through, and then gave me
several hearty kicks in the side, and ex-
claimed:
"You shall die! You were a fool to
come!"
The kicks made me mad, and feeling
that I had no hope of release opened
on. Red Moon in the choicest Billings
gate of the West. I called him cow
ardly paltroon, squaw, buzzard, and
everything else mean I could think of. I
offered to fight him. in any way he
wanted, and 5oasted that I had on one
occasion charged five of his bravest war
riors and killed two and run the others
into the woods. Igave it to him straight
from the shoulder for ten minutes with
out break, and he did not interrupt me
by word or gesture. When finally
paused for want of breath he said:
'tThe white scout is not dog, as
thought for. He is brave man. He
will not cry and beg for his life when
the fire is lighted at his feet. My young
men shall let it be known at the fort
that he died without being woman"
"And that's more than you can say for
any of your warriorsl' I flung back at
him. "The Comanche whines like dog
when he is hurt. He cannot stand fire.
When his feet get a little warm he be-
comes child"
He pulled his knife from his belt,
thinking to end my life then and there,
but on the second thought he replaced it
and walked out. Directly he had gone
two warriors came in with a liberal sup
ply of food, and my arms YVES united and
was given a chance to eat. They ap-
peared good natured, and as the thongs
were being replaced one of them said:
''The white man isvery brave. He will
hold out q long time"
At last two guards were placed outside
my tent, and knowing that had no
show for escape, made myself as COM
fotablc as possible and soon fell asleep. 1t
may be thought curious that a person
could sleep soundly under such circum-
stances, but as matter of fact did not
open my eyes until long after daylight.
There was considerable hustle in the
camp, and in few minutes my break
fast was brought in. Arms and legs were
now united, and one of the three bucks
who came into the tent informed me that
preparations were being made to torture
the Doctor. It was an hour later before
was sent for. Then my arms were left
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