Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-08-24
An Army Officers Story.

my NituiH Vue liI1lJS OF one Oh our
military posts on the Northwestern
frontier. / sought at the same time,
diversion of mind and shelter from the
raging storm in the officers club room.
As l closed the door and pulled the
visor of my fur cap from ov er my eyes,
| could see indistinctly through the
tobacco smoke, with which the room
was hiled, a little group of officers
seated around the almost red hot stove
A student of human nature could have
found much to interest him in the
faces of these men, varying in years
and experience in the service. from
the gray-haired veteran of two wars
and innumerable Indian campaigns. to
the beardless neophyte, just free from
the leading strings of his West Point
alma mater; and l doubt not that if
the stories of varied experiences that
those old walls had listened to. could
be collected. they would form volume
of no small interest.
Did | ever serve against the Co.
manchesp Well, somewhat, l was a
pr soner of theirs for some DAYS." one
Of the older officers was replying to a
question asked BY one of the young
sters, as l accepted an invitation 10
draw up chair and join the circle
around the stove. His reply was fol-
lowed by silence that plainly indica-
ted that the others awaited the story
that they knew must follow.
The speaker was middle aged man.
remarkably we'll preserved for his
years. and so graphic was his MARIA
tive that one could almost believe h NJ
self an e e-witness of the scenes that
he described.
Yes" continued he, II was sta.
toned down in Indian Teri tory at the
time, and we were literally surrounded
by Indians. whom our presence alone
prevented from going upon the war
parth. The Kiowas and Comanches
had been for many years the bitterest
of enemies. but early in the spring ru-
mors of prospective trouble from both
Of them were prevalent. According TO
these rumors. the two formally antag
Oplsuc tribes contemplated uniting
against their common enemies, the
whites. These repeated rumors were
promptly reported to the department
headquarters. but as in every case
nothing came of them. an order was
insued to the effect that the next Off
Ger making any such report, should be
sent to investigate it, and ascertain the
facts, before the report was forwarded
to the general commanding the depart
ment
Il was station ed, with my company
In a camp some little distance from the
post, with instructions TO watch the
Comanches and Kiowas. whose camps
were few G'-les farther on. Attached
to my company were two Indian
scouts, both OF them faithful fellows in
whom l could trust, and when, one
morning. one of them came TO my tent
and reported that there was certainly
going to be trouble. as the Comanches
were DOMINIC their war paint and
feathers and endeavor ne to induce the
Kiowas to follow their example, l
could do nothing less than order
around my horse and ride up TO the
post to report the matter.
That very morning the order of
which I was just speaking had been re-
ce we'd, and when l reported what my
scout had told me, Ireceived orders to
br ng my company into the post, and.
accompanied by only one scout, to act
as interpreter, to visit the Indian
camps and find out what l could about
the projected outbreak, and. if posi-
BILE prevent it by moral suasion.
at was perilous undertaking, l
very we'll knew, for if my scout had
spoken truly, there was little probable
ity of either of US coming back with
our hair on. But orders had to be
obeyed; so. early in the afternoon we
set out.
"Ihe Indian was very dubious
about the result of our trip. assuring
me that what he had said was true and
that the best fate we could hope for
was to be taken as prisoners. and held
1ntil peace was again declared. Late
in the evening we drew near to the
Comanche camp. and long before we
came in sight of it. the sounds of tom
toms and savage yells reached our
aars.
1.-The scout here stopped aud urged
our going back, saying that it was all
our lives were worth to enter the camp
at such q time, but when | told him
must obey nv orders and go ahead.
but if he so desired he could 20 back
and tell his comrades that he was
afraid TO follow the white chief. and
had to run away. | can see the fell
low yet, as he Strengthened up on his
pony, and replied;
"'Spotted Dog would lie if he said
he was afraid. He only wanted to save
the white chiefs scalp, aid will follow
him wherever he dares to lead
"tor few minutes we rode along in
silence. until upon coming suddenly
around the bend of low hill, our eyes
fell upon sight l shall remember as
long as live. If one could look down