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


see ng how near they could come to US
without iniuring us. In vain | made
the peace sign,' and in vain our inter-
prefer protested that our object was
simply to pay friendly visit. A grand
council was at once ordered to decide
if it would not be an appropriate and
fitting course of procedure to inaugu-
ate their campaign. and show their con-
tempt for the military, by burning a
white officer at the stake, and turning
the war dance into a scalp dance in
honor of the occasion.
ut was decidedly a cas- 9 of packed
Jury and, although one Oh two feeble
vo ces were raised in our behalf, the
popular verdict was against US, and 1t
was decided to hold the scout prison.
er, and to torture me on the spot The
scouts Interpretation Of the words.
and the busy preparations OF the
Indians informed me of the verdict at
the same time. and [ spent the few
moments that remained in instructing
the scout to escape as soon as possible.
and report to the post all that had
happened.
my recollection of my sensations at
that time were very vague. l was
stunned at the suddenness of the cal
amity that was about to oyerwhelm
me, and l remember a feeling OF
anger at the order on account OF the
provis ons of which / was to die
horrible death for no other reason
than that Of having done my duty.
but | didn't have long to think ev-
en- of that, for as soon as all was
ready, the two bucks acting as my
guard caught hold of me, and half led,
half dragged me toward the stake.
The yelling savages closed in around
me with every evidence of pleased an
ticipation. AS they were about to bind
me to the stake, and tho last ray of
hope seemed gone, powerful form
made for itself an opening through the
crowd. and in moment | saw stand
ing beside me Black Kettle. the head
CHI eff OF the Kiowas. AT his back
were thirty to forty of the most infu-
entail members of his tribe. | had
short time before performed an act of
kindness for this powerful chief. and
now waited in breathless suspense to
see how he would return it. The Com
anches paused for moment and
then, maddened at the interruption of
their gentle pastime, their wells became
more and more blood-curdling, while
tomahawks and spears fairly raiued
about me.
BLACK Kettle said nothing. but. tax
ing up one corner of his blanket, he
held it out to me. The grip with
which the proverbial drowning man
grasps at a straw ism circumstance
compared to the way in which [ clung
toi the dirty edge of that Indians
grsosy blanket.--!A.ss f}0rIs-as Black Ket-
lie permitted me to thus protect my
self under the shadow of his wing, |
knew that I was safe. for the Com
anches would not dare to harm the
protege. and thereby secure the enmi-
ty of the great chief whose tribe they
were exorting every effort to secure as
allies.
Strong words and arguments fol-
lowed the interruption. but finally re-
suited in my going off, still elinging to
the skirt of Black Kettles garment
and l was quartered in the chiefs
lodge, where l could cons der myself
safe until final disposition should be
made of me.
dive of the longest days and nights
of my life were spent under Black
Kettles roof | had to partako Of
dogs soup and other vile messes that
he offered me for fear of offending him
bv declining. AT all times the air was
filled W tn yels and the sounds of TOM
TOMS At night | was led forth to
amuse my captors. and in order that
they might gloat over my misfortune.
They made me dance and sing aud go
through all kinds eff ridiculous per-
formances. Each day / could see that
the Kowas were more inclined to join
the Comanches, and / shuddered to
think of what must necessarily happen
when they would put on the war paint.
had some hope that Spotted Dog had
escaped. and that troops would come
to my assistance. and vet | feared to
have them come, for had assisted too
often in the capture of Indian villages
not to know that if the troops we're
successful thev would in all probabli-
ty find me dead aud seal ped.
''On the fifth day my worst fears
seemed about to be realized The
gquaws were busy tearing down the
tepees and packing up their belong
ings. Long lines of them leading the +
laden ponies were seen fling out of
camp and going of. | knew that this
meant war, and that the women and
children were getting out of the way.
Black Kettle had been near me all day.
and l was almost wild with suspense
when, late in the afternoon, he appear
ed, decked out in all his savage fuery.
He told me that after long delibera-
ton, lie and his chiefs had decided to