The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-04-05
A PIONEER SKETCH.

~ Noo Whhe WoIhlllH loi one OF the
numerous cattle companies that ranched
in the Indian territory that / met "Two
Bellies" He had only lately returned
from an enforced visit to Florida, where
he had been sent few years before for
robbing a soldier on paw day.
On his return the agent suggested that
he so TO work on the agency's farm along
with half dozen other ex-braves, who
were trying TO follow the white mans
methods But Two Bellies, in acquiring
knowledge, had been equally careful to
forget nothing. One thing he remem-
bered with remarkable clearness. was
that manual labor, under any and all cir
cumstances, was something beneath a
warrior.
After hanging around the post awhile,
he drifted out into the range and found
temporary home in the Crazy Mule
village, near which was stationed as a
slime rider"
Though had never met him, had a
fair idea of Two Bellies appearance
from the description the squaws and pap
pooses had given me, and, as sat smok-
ing In front Of my "teepe" one evening
and saw buck approaching, the moment
my eyes rested upon him felt certain
that it was the celebrated exile.
His costume was a striking one, even
In this land of striking costumes. On
his head was a straw hat, with alternate
bands running from the crown to the
edge of the brim; a calico shirt of gaudy
color, cut "nigbt shirt STYLE" split from
the collar down, and pinned at the lower
extremities with a small flag; pair Of
army pants worn entire) hid his lower
limbsi on his feet, calf skin moccasins
with the hair on, and to cap 1t all, n
black corset that did not meet by half q
dozen inches, completed an outfit that
would have attracted attention any
where
After shaking hands he stepped back
and drew his hands across his stomach,
accompanying the movement with q
whining sound, and by this pantomlme
(known to all cowboys) announced that
he was hungry. Having on hand some
stale bread and pot of beans of which l
had grown suspicious, told him to help
himself. Watching him clean up every
that no matter how much his parents
had erred in other matters, they had
certainly hit the nail on the head in
naming one of their offspring. He
finally arose, let out his belt hole or
two, borrowed a cigarette, shook hands
again, and in few minutes l saw the
flag futtering down the trail that led to
the village. was not much sur
prised to see Two Bellies next morn
ing, accompanied by three congenial
friends, with their usual following
of dogs, approaching the "teepe." With
a wave of the hand, that included bucks
and dogs, as well as mule l had sad
died, he said: 'Me sisters Ned Chuck
away, want some"
Throwing as much sarcasm as possible
into my voice, told him was sorry tc
disappoint the ladies, but, owing to al
unexpected run on the larder last night
this boarding house was closed.
then rode off, leaving them tighten
ing their belts and preparing to move on
a plum thicket. On my return in the
afternoon found Two Bellies on guard
A small pile of firewood and fresl
bucket of water indicated that he wal
trying to regain the favor he had lost by
his needless action in the morning.
then explained to him my orders from
headquarters in regard to feeding hi
people, and he, in return, said that Crazy
Mule was dieting his followers on dos
meat, preparing for feast and dance
soon to be held, and, while he had no OBJ
| lection to the festivities, during his con
hnement he had lost his appetite for tina
dish. q thought this pity, for with hi
capacity he could very materially hav,
reduced the canine census)
l promised, however, to fill him VI
1-opoe a day, and in return he was to keel
I me supplied with wood and water, ant
bring up my mount OF horses for M
every afternoon, This little arrangement
was destined to be broken up, and from
an unexpected quarter.
Crazy Mule, who in addition to his du
ties as chieftain of this particular vii
lage, was also head medicine man" TO
the surrounding villages, soon heard o
1t, and his jealousy was aroused. Indial
though he was, his heart yearned for tn
flesh pots of the "pale face, and if an.
eating was TO be done he proposed t.
have hand in it himself. This, in con
nection with the remark that "Craz
Mule had the largest practice and tn
largest graveyard of any medicine maj
J In the tribe" (said witticism being al
tributed to Two Bellies), aroused tn
passions of the old man, and, In the Ian
guage of the cowboys, he fired Two Bel
lies, and fired him bodily.
On the morning of his departure fror
! the village, Two Bellies stopped and toll
me of his troubles, winding up by say
ing; "May be 50, pretty soon, long tim
come, things even up"
From this judged that sooner or late
he intended to square accounts.
Not long after this event, went sout
> ON q COW hunt, TO be gone a couple {
months. From time TO time rumoI
reached us Of an effort being made by
syndicate composed Of various cattl
, companies to lease the Cheyenne resel
yation. On our return to headquarters
4 we found the whole tribe in an uproal
5 and discussing the proposition, whic
{ was soon to be submitted to a vote.
r the thickest Of the fight, in fact the re'
ognized leader OF the anti-leasers we
. Crazy Mule. With knowledge born
bitter experience, he knew that an
scheme having for one Of its chief ol
jects the advancement of the Indial
8 should be examined into, especially
. the chief promoters Of that scheme wei
. their ancient enemy, the cattlemen.
: the proposed lease he saw the enteriu
c wedge that was 10 divide their reserv
= ton and turn over to the white ma
+ their last foothold on earth.
. The agents of the syndicate, early
: the skirmish, recognized that it wou
be impossible to win him over II
. hatred of the pale face and his determ
nation, when once his mind was made u
had long since passed into a proven
: They feared his influence, for his abilit