The Red Cloud chief., 1890-05-30

~'s" ~
gion where their nearest ncighbors were
nearly twenty miles distant.
A. the coming Of this family into the
region WAS unknown Ia tho other set
tiers, Its members failed % receive
warning from the couricrs who spread
tho news Of Black Hawks uprising
among the hills south Of tho Wisconsin
river. Fortunately for q tho Strcetcr
family, Its whereabouts was also IN.
known 10 the hostile Indians, tho cabin
being n little beyond their usual range
Of attack.
Tho husband and vito worked on un-
disturbed until q cabin had been built.
and three acres Of ground thoroughly
broken up and planted To corn, potatoes
and garden seeds. The plants had
como up, and had boon hOcd once, when
tho couple found that their small stock
or provisions WA nearly exhausted.
Tho nearest market for the Strccters
was Dodgcvillc. more than twenty miles
distant from their claim. II wa bcces-
sary that n Of tho couple should stay
at home 70 watch tho cows and tho
growing crops, and Mr.. Strcetcr set out
alone for DOdgcvillc. with oxc and
wagon, To get -four and other needed
articles.
lie started on his journey just after
sunrise one morning. Ills vito finished
her mornings work about the cabin, and
went out with . hos ~ work In thu field.
taking with her tho child, o littlo girl
four years Of ago.
Though living miles from any neigh
bors, tho hardy women Of those days
often stayed alone while their husbands
were gone for days, and sometimes for
weeks, upon hunting or trapping cxcur-
sions, or 10 distant marketing points.
Mrs. Strcctcr worked for some hours
chilling up" young potato vines, whiio
Elsie, the little girl. played with %
small kitten. their n domestic pot.
With o sudden scream the child canie
running to her mother, and caught hcr
by tho dress. Mrs. Strecter looked
about In alarm. fearing that n rattle
snake had bitten tho child, and discOv-
cred the cause Of her fright to DO nm
Indian who Ind come out Of tho brush .
few rods distant, and was approaching
them.
Although shO was not afraid Of
| Indians, she was annoyed that ono of
I them should como while hcr husband
was away. Sho knew that often thcy
wore lawlcss and thioying when thcy
discovered women alone.
An tho Indian camo toward her his
face moved and grinncd I'D c~uriously
that shc fclt an impulse ~ laugh until
dcformity.
"Hpgl-oogh," no gruntcd. rs no came
up. "fOu 20. you squaw. puck a ahar
heap kick! You 70 Tonga me! iloap
lniun comm" and he pointed up tho
valley. eve go ~yondor" pointing this
time toward tho Wisconsin.
Tho woman was frightened Mt his
words and manner. nOtwiths landing
that ne tried to laugh and look aS pleas
AIT On his queer features would permit.
and though no had no weapons In sight.
"Mcn kill heap! Mo no hurt. You
go. We hcap puck a chee," and no reached
down ~ pick up tho child.
Tho little girl screamed with terror.
anil Mrs. Strccter caught her up and
stopycd back.
''No, I will not 70 with you" said sho.
"You'rC u bad lnjun, md you're lying
to mo-" She had quickly concluded that
tho Indian merely wished to cnticc her
away while his companions pillagod tho
promises.
Again tho Winncbago-for II was
John tried to explain to hcr that he
meant 10 In friendly and Ia aid her 10
escape from danger.
Heap ~Outdganiic'" Fox tndians) said
he. "Mcn come, shoot. kin. XIII
papoos". kin white squaw. SQuaw go
mo, 49," and again ho motioncd to-
ward tho river. and, by initiating tho
not Of padding and by sweeping his
hand forward. sigmi ned that he would
take hcr across II in his n
"No, you go and leave Inc" said tho
woman, stcrnly. ~ won't go with you.
CO." She repeated. pointing toward tho
woods. and then shc turned with the lit
tlc girl In her arms and started toward
the cabin. ~
Instantly tho Indian sprNnV forward.
then snatchcd the child from hcr, and.
catching hor by tn" shoulders, forced
her down 10 tho ground upon hcr face.
aud quickly tied her arms. lle had
evidently ccmc prepared to carry out his
plan by iorrc II necessary, and tho poor
. woman tclt that hcr instinct had been
true. Not daring To struggle. sho sub.
mittcd to bc bound u captive,
Elsie, the little girl. had started To
run into tho woods, but John caught her
: and took her, screaming, into his arms.
lie walked quickly back with her Ia
Mrs, S,rcctcr, who had risen, after .
I struggle, to her foot.
. Come" said he, You 20 Tonga mo
: now, heap kick! Me tax" papoosc. We
pneA u chez" and he started toward tho
river, b%eckoning her Ia follow. lie had
Elsie In his arms, and there was nothing
Z for tho now thoroughly. frightened and
trembling woman to do but " go with
him.
!. 1t was several miles Ia the river. The
Winncbago hurried forward ~ u hall
y trot the child crying pitcously At every
step, while the distressed mother, nearly
Q out os breath, kept close AZ his heels,
trying to cheer her little girl with words