Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-06-14

snakes, an ransacx his camp in
couple of shakes? IL rifles me ter
think of that little lost kitteu-get
along. yer old critter; git down ter yer
knittin'-ther pore little angel, all sad
an alone; why, | couldn't feel wuss if
the gal was my own. But l tell We.
young feller, Wen find her again, or
kill every Injun that runs on the
plain"
AS near as ] could learn from tho
old fellows broken sentences, which
seemed iumbled together more with an
eye TO metre thln coherency, Poetry
Dan had conceived and contemplated
executing scheme, that was alike re-
markable for its wildness, and appar-
ent inipr; cticability.
Some five miles eastward, and hid
| den in the recesse3 OF range Of ced T.
clad hills, now plainly visible, lay the
| temporary camp OF a migratory band
of Indians, headed by the well-lSnown
! chief. FeatherfOot, whose hatred Of the
whites had long been notrous. To
this camp the plainsman believed the
lost child had been conveyed, aud there
we were TO search for her. not caution
/ ly and stealthily. as ] had thought
TO suggest, but with n bold c1rOutery,
which, in this case, seemed like court
/ ing destruction.
! However. as | could not draw back
| from the quest without showing the
( white feather. and was, beside, willing
/ to run almost any risks TO restore the
! missing child 10 its distracted mother,
! ] determined TO see the adventure
/ through To the end. In "a few minutes,
| as il seemed TO me, our horses ironclad
! hoofs were striking fire from the rocky
soil of the hills, and we allowed our
animals TO slacken their gait.
Now we've struck the sand an
! gravel, curb yer hos ter slower travel.
! Speed no longer can avail; courage
now must tell the tale"
There is great deal of danger
ventured to suggest
The border poet turned his face to-
ward me with sad smile that made
his harsh, rugged features, almost
/ handsome.
"Why should we hesitate because,
perchance. death lies in wait TO hinder
our advance? Is life 50 sweet that
men, through fear, should fail TO
follow on where duty marks the
trail?"
He rode up the narrow defile,
with hls head bowed in meditation,
and | followed silently at his heels
Suddenly he refined up beside a
cluster of stunted cedars, and dis
mounted, thrust his long barreled rifle
into the shrubbery out Of sight,
and motioned me 10 follow his cx-
ample.
LAY her in the shade, partner; lay
her in the shade" sang the scout as
he noted my momentary hesitation.
wen fin u 'em when we want EN-,
so don't yer be afraid. Fire arms will
not save We if any kick is made. so risk
yer cheek ter take yer through, an
lay her in the shadew
complied, with feeling OF wonder
as to what was coming next.
Poetry Dan did not keep me long in
suspense. Rummaging in his saddle
bags he produced "a couple of long
white garments. one Of which he hand
ed 10 me, donning the other himself.
In an instant his identity was entirely
hidden. for the peaked head covering,
and ghostly white mask with its long,
flowing sepulchral gown, concealed his
clothing down TO the tops Of his
Mexican riding boots. and the effect OF
the transformation was quite astoun-
ding, reminding me strongly OF a
picture | had once seen wherein the
ghost OF a murdered knight rode home
from the wars, in spectural garb TO
meet his love at the old trystlng
tree
Inter yer rig, for the sun swings
low, an danger Is near at hand. Fear
lessly ride close st my side; do as
tell yer, an follow my guide, an sure
as shootin' the fust yer know"
He halted. and held up his hand for
silence. for sudden sharp turn in the
ravine had revealed the Indian camp
before us. Merely a dozen or so. wig
vans of rawhides, around which Il
score OF redskins-men and squaws-
were lettering. Quite picture
Of wild home life. this little col
ony OF red men nestled down in this
sheltered spot in peaceful security; but
somehow | could not help being re-
minded OF coy hornets nest, serene
ly swinging in the wind with its myri-
ads Of inmates ready TO pour forth in
angry resistance to the innocent inves-
gators footsteps; and, even a the
thought crossed my brain. | could see
the quiet little village suddenly thrown
into a feverish commotion by our un-
expected appearance.
They see US, an know that it's
Poetry Dan, for yer see I'm WELL
known an popular man. From Next
can Gulf ter Canadian line, every red
skin is onter this riggin' of mine; an
If yer'Il take notice, yer'll easily see
that the chief is quite anxious ter
stand in with me.
He spurred his horse TO trot, and
bending over, gave his final instruc-
tions.
was merely 10 ride by his side,
concealng as far as possible. any trace
Of uneasiness or fear, and TO keep up.
while in the pres nee Of the Indians,
an unremitting flow of words poems,
patriotic speeches. anything, in fact.
would do-so that il was delivered in n
solemn and impressive manner; the
object in view being to confuse the In
dians with display of cloquence that
they could not understand
q. II