River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-02-21

Aol AArE- ne was even 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-the-Face was ab-
sent on a hunt When the chief re-
turned he could learn nothing of the
| whereabouts Of his bOy-ne 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 jealousy
/ 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 forti-
fed. To add to his sorrow, his influ-
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
Rain-in-the-Face was not himself The
hunt no longer had charms. nor did he
boyi He wanted his KOska Wherever
he went, whatever ne did. his mind
was on the boy. How humble and
how meek was Rain-in-the-Face nowi
In former years he spoke to the whites
with cOndescensiOn and disdain Now
he sought them for advice and cons Ola-
ton. While upon the war-path agai INST
the whites he was desperate in glee,
but now he was desperate in sorrow.
Then he would plan battle with the
very audacity of Napoleon; but now
he planned-with what intensity of de-
spair did he plan for the return of his
departed happiness.
He sought the advice of the few
whites at the agency whom ne counted
as his friends. Knowing the treachery
OF his own people. he would not trust
them He trusted them when a 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. aud then he felt that,
with them as his advisers. he would
not be haunted by the fear of their un-
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 asency. 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
nonplussed at first. but having a high
regard for Rain-in-the-Face, and know
ing how deeply he was aggrieved, con-
scented.
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
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 evening. a strange CLEAN of saw
age JOY radiated from his fierce, dark
eyes. His step was lighter than when
he came. Grooming a little Indian
lullaby as he MOUNTED his famous spot
ted pony, he was picture to tempt an
artist. Far different was the home
ward ride from the sad, uncertain
journey to the agency. He came with
fear. he returned with hope.
Slumber was a stranger to Rain-in-the-
Face that night, for he was planning
his journey to the lower agency. Six
weeks had scarcely passed. when he
was ready to start. He had been in
formed as TO the locality of the tent in
which his truant wife and Koska slept.
He knew the direction from which to
enter in order to avoid arousing the
camp The morning for his departure
having arrived. Rain-in-the-Facs rode
into Standing Rock. and with words of
gratitude. thanked the man who had
assisted him IN perfecting his plans.
His breast swelled with emotion, and
his words were soft and low as he
grasped his friends hand and bid him
adieu.
At the crack OF his rawhide the pony
dashed away TO the southwark, and he
disappeared beyond the hills He had
a long journey ahead of him, but he
did not spare the pony. He knew the
metal Of the Eervy animal. and the
pony. as If aware that he was going to
his dimpled master, needed no spurs.
The long journey to the lower agency
was made in good time. Rain-in-the-
Face halting twenty miles from camp,
that he might travel the remaining
distance in the dark. As soon as the
shadows gathered he saddled his pony
and started cautiously for the camp.
He peered nervOusly here and there,
10 guard against meeting any one who
might betray him. Every object
doomed up before him like an APP
preaching enemy; every shrub that
trembled in the darkness seemed
like a watching spy, yet Rain-in-the-
Face pressed on. Like a famished
lion nearing prey. he kept his course
towards the camp where kOska slept
He had been blessed by dense clouds.
that hid the moon until he reached the
outskirts of the camp. and then. as il
bursting forth 10 betray him. the moon
appeared in clear and eloudless sky.
Rsin-in-tha-Fara diSmOuntad hurried .