The Red Cloud chief., 1890-05-30

upon her KNOBS IN tho center Of the
canoe. mo touch um," he commanded.
tapping tho sides Of tho canoe. Keep
. heap still" Tho little girl, tired and
subdued, dared not 10 much as stir.
Then John picked up q paddle which he
had laid upon the bank, got carefully
into the canoc NJ tho stern, showed out
into the river, and padded the frail
craft swiftly down the stream.
Tho anguish Of tho poor woman was
keen as she thought Of the husband who
had so recently been with her, and Of
the uncertain fate Of her little child and
herself. She could not believe the In
dams story that he was rcscu!ng them
from danger. His violence and his rapid
retreat, and this journey upon the river.
leading To tho west and away from tho
white settlement, cOuld 10 her mind
mean only that he was carrying them
away into that wretchcd captivity which
and child had suffered nj the hands OF
savagcs.
Brave woman though shc was, she
gave herself up TO despair.
All that day the canoe spcd rapidly
down stream, keeping as close under tho
bank ~ possible, and IL was not until
after shutdown that John landed and got
his captivcs out upon the bank whore
they could rest their cramped limbs.
lie then undid o roll Of blankets and got
out some dried meat, which no offered
~ Mrs. Strcctcr, motioning that tho
papooso could feed her. Tho woman
could not eat, but by c0axing induced
tho tired and hungry little girl 10 swal-
low n fow scraps Of tho raw, tastclcss
vcnisOn.
After o timo tho Indian united Mrs.
Streoter's hands, being careful to keep
between her and his gun. Then no mo-
toned to tho blankets.
"Squaw make um bed. )" said no, cheap
sleep"
Glad Of so much freedom and q chance
To rest and To comfort hcr child. Mrs.
Strccter made q rough couch, took Elsie
In hcr arms, and lay down upon II. Tho
littlo girl was soon asleep, but tho
mother lay narrowly watching the In
dian, waiting for o chance To escape II
ho should drop asleep or relax his guard
In any way.
She got no opportunity. however;
John sat nea at hand, leaning against
u tree, stiR and upright, with his gun
across his logs. After about two hours
Of rest no ordered her TO got up again
and got into tho boat. telling her ~
take %papoosc."
She carried tho sleeping child down
tho bank. and while the Indian steadicd
Tho canoe at the stern, got In At the bow.
John throw In the blankets, got In, put
his gun between his knees, and took up
tho paddles. All night thcy floatcd
swiftly down the river. the long. STEADY
sweep Of tho Indians paddle doubling
tho ratio NJ which tho was borne
by tho rapid current
Mrs. StrCeter endured hcr IN iety and
fatigue m bravely IN shc could, not dar'
Ing, ON account Of hcr child. to mako
any demonstrations; but she was all tho
timo on tho watch for q chance to escape
from her captor.
At u little after sunrise tho Winnie
baRo landed upon . bar at the north
bank, and ordered hcr to got out OF the
canoc. After carrying Elsie asleep Ia
hcr arms all night she found hcr own
limbs t0 be- 50 crampcd and stiR that .,
first II WAS impossible TO use them
Seeing hcr condition tho Indian swung
tho stern round, dragged tho GU
upon the bar. aud helped her out.
uc now for tho first timc aroused In
her q littlc hope by saying; Hear
whito mans. heap SOLE" pointing To the
northwest. Walk, sun So" showing
her where tho sun would bc when thcil
journey should end. lie again offered
his oaptivos tho dried meat, and the
pangs of hunger compelled both womar
and child to mako u hearty meal.
After they had rcstcd awhile and 30,
the crampo out oi thcir legs and ARM
tho Indian pointed out tho direction IL
which thoy were to 60. and ordered Mrs
Strcctcr TO walk ahead and lead tn,
little girl. To lot them walk slowly,
Keeping q RID ~ two behind them with
his 9un and blankets. After thrct
hours VI tramping they came out Of th'
woods upon N hill overlooking q broad
vallcy-the Mississippi vallcy--and
then tho Indian camc eagerly forward.
''Sce." he xaid. his face erinning and
working with evident pleasure as HI
pointed tn . distant cluster " building.
upon tho bank Of u wide river which lay
In front ~ then SEQ, FHdi1 doc aAaR1!'
II WAS tho frontier fort and trading
post Of Prairie du Chen. Mrs. Streetel
had heard Of this place, but had knows
only vaguely whore II wal situated.
She now perceived that hcr captor hs<
intended all his acts In fricndliness. Al
hour later she and hcr child wcro safely
housed Ut tho fort. and hcr delight and
thankfulncss NJ tho outcome 10 her -
venture may 10 imagined.
Mrs. Strcctcr's alarm for her hus
bands safety was great until John
whose services wcr"'again secured. mad,
y trip to nodgoville and brought hin
ACROSS tho country 10 her. Mr.. Strcctc
had discovered their la anger. from moct
ing u body OF soldiers On the secont
morning after his departure from home
They had accompanied him hastily hacl
| 70 his cabin. only IA And u burned iowi