Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-07-26

i
evergreen bringing them in armtuls
and throwing them beside-"the
grave | thought. And now, with
the utmost care and patience, the
whole cavity was lined with these
sprigs of evergreen held in place by
| twiggs thrust into the backs on either
side
This done, the man sprang out.
The two surveyed their work for
moment, and then, after gazing once
more, as ii in anxiety. over the route
by which they had come, they APP
preached the wagon. Having rolled
up the canvas ON one side. they lifted
out a small mattress, depositing it
upon blanket which they had spread
upon the ground.
This mattress was not without its
/ burden. The beams of the full moon
enabled me to see there a slight form
that OF little girl who had scarce
/ ly lived out three years. The pretty
white hands were folded over the
breast. Long golden curls fell on
either side upon the pillow.
/ The tace, which | could see with as
tonishing clearness, was wonderfully
beautiful in its aspect OF innocence
and bore a litelike smile, ms if in an
swer to the radiant queen of the sky,
/ who seemed to be smiling, too, as
she looked steadtastly down upon
the living and the dead.
The mother forwith proceeded to
arrange the spreads upon the child,
tucking them and smoothing them
down as if she were only putting her
it tie one to bed, although while |
heard no sob, nor any expression OF
griet, could see that her breast was
heaying with sorrow and her face
was visited by tears.
The two now knelt on either side,
kissing their darling many tinfes,
and weeping over her, though trying
apparently to comfort one another
in their Indebtedness. if perchauCe
there might come in their hearts a
calm like that with which the moon
was still sending down her beams TO
illumine the fearful scene.
Then, laying hold OF the blanket,
they carried their darling tn the
grave, and by the aid of the bride
reins let the precious burden down
into the place which they had so care
fully prepared Green boughs were
scattered over her until they cover
ed the beautiful form many inches
deep, and then the clods were gently
replaced, and little mound was
heaped, and the child, transferred
from her mothers bosom, was sleep
ing at last in the bosom of that
greater mother-Earth. The two
sad monrners knelt again beside the
grave and seemed to he engaged in
prayer. lifting their faces now and
then 70 the sky, as if in its intimate
clear depths they saw the future
hopes.
All this-though l still thought it
unreal-had awakened in methe keen.
est interest and sympathy. But my
attention was now suddenly diverted
to a line of figures in the distance,
somewhat beyond the spot where
had seen the wagon where | first
awoke. These were horsemeD, who
I came sweewing on at a rapid pace rs
if engaged in eager pursuit. From
the manner in which they rode /
knew they were Indians.
, All / saw it all now, and under
stood why these special visitors had
, so often looked back so apprehensive-
. ~ in the direction from which they
had approached. These pilgrims
across the plains had seen signs OF
savages, and had used the night to
, push on beyond their reach, il haply
, they might bury their dead in peace
, and find safety for themselves. But
, the foe had discovered their rail and
followed them bent on massacre.
: laid my hand instinctively on my
rife under the edge of my blanket,
, that | might join in the defense, and
was about to cry out in warning OF
, the danger saw approaching. but
instantly bethought myself that this
/ was unreality, n mere vision, calling
: for no practical action, and might
better let these shadows work out
! their tragedy to the end. | again
restrained the dog, who seemed agi-
/ tated, whether because ne saw what
[ | was seeing or out ofsympathy with
! my emotion-I know not which.
, The two at the grave seemed uncon-
/ scious of the threatened danger until
| their enemies were within hundred
/ yards, when the man sprang up and
, lifted the woman also to her feet.
They turned toward the wagon, as il
: togainits shelter and secure weapons
: for defence. 1t was too late. / saw
| flashes of fire and also fight of ar
! rows, still without sound, however,
to break the calm Of the night.
r Both the man and woman stag.
!. gered as if wounded. They stopped
) and turned face to face, throwing
! their arms about each other, as if re.
/ alizing that this was their last emf
= brace. Another volIey, and still cling.
/ ing to each other in the agony oil
!. death, they fell together upon the
= grave OF their child.
!. The Indians we're not long in com
Q pleting their work Then catching
/ the horses and Harvesting them into
the wagon thew haStpupd nwav sc