Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-12-03
FRICK WHARTON'S PERIL.


Frick Wharton was an old campaigner
on the frontier, who had served his coun-
try from the time of the Custer massacre
until the spring of 1890. His intimate
knowledge of the Northwestern country,
and Of the Indians and their languages,
his perfect horsemanship, his GOODNESS,
pluck and readiness of resource made
him a most valuable man as either scout
or interpreter.
He was fond of tho life, and babe
fair 10 spend all his active years in the
governments service, but no encountered
at last ono person who did what no Sioux,
Cheyenne or Ogallala was ever able to
do-make him a captive.
That person was a certain blue-eyed
young woman from the fur away New
England hills, who had come West to
teach an agency school, and who said
Eyes" TO the most important question
the brave scout ever uttered. AS con-
sequence he Withdrew from tho service.
and with his savings, which had reached
u respectable snm, bought ranch in
South Dakota, and settled down into the
quiet life of raiser of cattle and tiller
of the soil.
Wharton lived happily enough until
the recent trouble with the Sioux nation
began. He was quick to foresee the
serious nature of tho danger. He knew
the superstitious nature of the Sioux, and
their liability to intense and reckless ex-
element under religious delusion. The
craze over the expected Messiah, the
ghost dances, and the frenzied appeals
the young warriors.
If a war was prevented, it would have
to be done by men who knew the Indians
well, and were not afraid of them.
AS the signs of trouble deepened, Frick
grew more and more reckless. He longed
to leap once more into the saddle, and
ride to the scene of the trouble. 1t was
to be battle of wits as we'll as of arms,
for no people surpass the Sioux in sub
tilty and cunning.
He was sure his services would be
welcome, for no one knew these people
better than lac.
One day he preached the matter alb
ruptly TO his wife.
Jennie" he said, "I've made up my
mind to sec the government through in
this thing"
"Iknew it was coming" she said
"and have wondered why you didn't
speak of it before"
Chow did you know it was coming?
he asked. Il haven't said word"
His wife laughed. Why" she said
you've been absent-minded, you've had
little appetite, you've walked aimlessly
about, you haven't slept well. and you've
acted as if there was some heavy trouble
on your mind. 1t was as plain as could
be what was the matter"
"Well," he asked, "what did you think
about it?"
IL thought that if you didn't mention i
the world you meant by not offering your
services whom your country needed
theml"
Frick did not say much, but kissed hi
wife affectionately, and was prouder thar
ever of her. He had ma ie no mistak,
in estimating the sort Of stuff she was
made of.
Within few hours Wharton and hi
wife rode away toward Pierre, wher,
Jennie was left with friends, and Fricl
set out alone for the Pine Ridge Agency
He intended TO offer his services at ono,
to General Miles.
1t was a long ride, but he knew ever,
mile of the way. 1t was also danger
GUS ride, for although no open outbre al
had as yet taken place, Frick had pickle,
up enough information on the road to en-
able him to decide that the conhagratiol
was at hand.
On the afternoon of the second day
when the sun was shining in clear SIX,
and the air was crisp and keen, an In
E,dinn horseaan rode over n swell of tn
prairie, and by his course showed his wis
TO make closer acquaintance with tn
scout.
Frick was not in the habit of running
away from solitary Indians, so he dre'
the rein of his pony, and with tho uni
NAL at q moderate walk, awaited tn
coming of the warrior who was in nativ
costume.
Frick kept sharp eye on him, an
held his Winchester ready, but he dc
tected no hostile movement. Present.
he was surprised and pleased TO recoe
nlZe inc luuluu 10 uu Okuhhi" "hohi
knew very well, and who. through som
queer within, had received the unexplaii
able nume of Brother-of-his- Father-ant
Mother.
Who was responsible for this amazin
title it il impossible to say, but since
was too long to bc used except on stat
occasions, Prick had shortened it
"Briff" when he had occasion to Gu
the Indian by name.
Briff had been friendly Indian {,
years. He had been tricks companio
} on several Of his dangerous scouts. III
two bad camped together ia tho dism
gorges and canons of the Black Hill
and Big Horn Mountains. They he
faced the awful blizzard In tho land I
The Assinaloine, and starved, suffers
aud hunted together until II would see
that the ticsof friendship conld not hn'
BEEN welded more strongly.
Butthis was an extraordinary occnsio
Wharton knew that many friendly L
dinns had cJme under tho influence
the prevailing superstition and had join
the ghost-danccrs. He shook hands CO
lially with Briff, but kept watchf
eve upon hin.
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