Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-02-14

war-path- He aimed to lead such a
life that the boy. emulating his exam
pie. might grow up the leader Of his
race. What rosy pictures he painted
for his soni Often at the evening
campfire, when recounting his battles
and victories, would no speak with
pride Of Koska (the name given the
boy. and meaning ''youth"). for whom
he predicted a brilliant and glorious
career. With true Indian superstition,
he had watched the signs. and with
the inevitable deductions OF n father,
he knew that they all meant greatness
and renOwn for Koska
So "A the proud days for Rain-in-
the-Face until civilization began its
work OF contracting the Indian field. In
every field il enters. civilization is an
iconOclast. but nowhere Is its destruc-
tion OF idols and hopes so relentless
and 80 complete as among the Indians.
When the Sioux nation was placed
upon the immense reservation west Of
the Missouri river. the tribes were
separated II so happened that the
tribe 20 which Rain-in-the-Face be-
longed was stationed 1t Standing
Rock. while his wife's tribe was sent
To the lower agency. Above all things
that an Indian ~resents. il is removal
from his tribe. The tribe OF Rain-in-
the-Face being located ut Standing
Rock, he insisted on remaining. while
the young wife and mother pinned for
the company OF those with whom she
had been reared. She had realized
that Rain-in-the-Fa had little love
for her. He vas eve jealous of the
affection which she received 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. three hundred
miles distant, taking the boy with her.
She left while Rain-in-thc Face was alb
sent on a hunt When the chief re-
turned he could learn nothing OF the
whereabouts 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. al
though he still regarded her iealously
for the sake of his child. Day and
night he searched. He had secured
the reservation. 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 forth
fed To add To his sorrow. his inhu-
ence 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.
Northumberland 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
was on the boy. How humble and
how meek was Rain-in-the-Face now,
In former years he spoke to the whites
with c-ondcscension and disdain. Now
he sought them for advice and c~onsola-
ton While upon the war-path against
the whites he was desperate in glee.
but now he was desperate in sorrow.
Then he would plan a battle With the
very a~udacity of a Napoleon; but now
he planned-with what intensity OF de-
spair did he plan for the return oil his
departed happiness
He sought the advice OF the few
whites at the agency whom he counted
"a his friends. Knowing the treachery
OF his W people. he would not trust
them. He trusted them when n mere
battle was at stake, but in the silent
fight for that which had grown about
his heart so closely he appealed for the
aid of the whites. In this there was a
double purpose. He would sooner
trust the whites. and hen he felt that.
with them rs his advisers. he would
not be haunted by the fear of their I'M
known laws.
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 before the camp
could be aroused. He wanted the as
sistance of his white friends. How he
quivered, and how his eyes 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 a reply. The friend was
n~onplussed at first. but having a high
regard for Rain-in-the-Face. and know
ing how deeply he was aggrieved. con-
sented.
Rain-in-the-Face sprang to his feet
In exultation. At last a ray of light
pierced the gloom which had enshroud-
ed 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
frst hope-that had cheered him since