The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-06-19

We had finished our scout and were on
our way back to Fort McKavett, and we
determined to carry him in prisoner
When he was informed of this he earnestly
begged me to kill him, saying that he
could never hold up his head among his
people again. Had he been wounded
and rendered helpless it would not have
been so bad; but to bo taken as he was
would forever disgrace him. We bound
him fast to his pony, secured the animal
against break for liberty, and set out
for the fort.
The boy was sullen and defiant for a
time, refusing to answer any questions,
but after while, when had told him
that he would not be harmed, and that
his capture under the circumstances re-
bounded to his credit, he thawed out a
little. Three hours after his capture we
got sight Of a single Indian a mile away
to our right on a knoll, and as we halted
young Black Cloud informed me that it
was one of his tribe, who wanted TO have
talk with us. Signals were exchanged
between the two, and the stranger soon
came galloping in. He was one of the
hunting party, and had been lodging us
for twenty miles to find out if the boy
had been captured. He was a fine look
ing fellow, and as he halted In our midst,
and saw the ignoble situation of the boy
his first thought was to fight for him.
called his attention to the fact that any
move of his would result in the death of
them both, and then explained how the
youth was captured. Knowing the con-
ceit of the tribe Ispread it on very thick,
alleging that it required our whole force
to make the capture, and it was not ac-
complished then without hard fight.
This falsehood made the boy my friend
for life, while it put the other in better
humor. stated that young Black Cloud
would be taken to the fort and held
prisoner until exchanged for some white
captive, ard gave my word that he would
be well treated meanwhile. He sent a
message to his father to the effect that he
was not afraid, and hoped to be at lib
erty in few days, and two hours later
we had him safely lodged in the guard
house at the fort. His capture was looked
upon as good thing, for we knew that
his tribe would gladly exchange two or
three white prisoners for him.
Two weeks after the capture of young
Black Cloud 1 was called into the
Colonels Office one evening, and asked if
| thought it possible to get through to
Fort Concho with dispatches. The
country was then in the possession of the
hostiles. The Pecos warriors had come
down out of New Mexico to make COM
mon cause against the whites, and the
Kioways, Cheyennes, Chickasaws, Semi
country to the north and east. The
Apaches had us almost in a state of siege,
being seen every day within five miles of
the post, and the chances of making a
siXty-mile ride across the plains lying be-
tween the two forts without running
against party of hostiles was not ono in
fifty. At such perilous times a Govern
ment rider is not commanded to go. He
is asked certain questions, however, in a
manner which decides him to make the
attempt l left the post at 8 o'clock at
night of an August evening perfectly salts
fed that should be dead or a prisoner
before midnight. had bronco of tire
less gait, a rifle and revolver, and / car
ried only five or six pounds extra weight.
Before setting out went in to see young
Black Cloud and say good-by. had
spent much of my time in his company,
and we had become pretty good friends
When | told him Of my journey he took
from his neck buckskin string, to which
was attached the tooth of a grizzly bear,
and handed it 10 me with the remark:
"You cannot get through. You will
be captured or killed. If not shot down,
show this to my people. They will know
who it belongs to. They may trade you
for me, and shall thus get back to my
tribe"
A thunder storm was coming up as |
took my departure, Instead of holding
due north, on the direct route, rode to
the east for five miles and then held
away for Concho direct. The storm now
broke, and for full hour rode ahead
at steady gallop, one moment in dark
ness so black that l could not see the
ears of my horse, and the next in a blaze
of light so brilliant that it blinded me.
By the time the storm had passed was
Il good fifteen miles from the fort, and
as had seen nothing to alarm me be-
gan to hope that l would get through all
right. 1t was between 10and IL O'Clock,
and had pulled my broncho down to
walk for the first time, when he suddenly
uttered snort of alarm and started off
with wild jumps, Three or four rifles
cracked, and as the reports reached me
the horse fell in heap and flung me far
over his head. Twas momentarily stunned
by the fall, and before l had made a move
TO get up l was seized by at least three
Indians, who were not minute in bind
ing my hands and feet. When l got
clear head once more it was to realize
that the Apaches had me secure prisoner,
and that, there were six or seven warriors
about me. The moon came up in a clear
sky little latter, and then l made out
that | had run directly into a temporary
camp. The shots fired after me had
brought down my horse, and he lay groan-
ing and floundering a few yards away
The Indians knew that l was a white
man, but they didn't know who they had
got hold Of until morning came. During
the interval l lay on the wet ground
guarded by two of the warriors, and al
most Immediately after my capture two
men were sent off in different directions