Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-02-27


that of Jackson, whom we were follow
ing to the northeast. The wild ride had
exhausted the animal, and as ne fell down,
jackson had abandoned him and pushed
along on foot. The animal Yves on his
feet and grazing as we found him, but so
lamo that he could scarcely move. We
removed the saddle and blankets, and
found Jackson's revolvcrs in the holsters.
From this point We had no trail to
guide us, and tho ground was badly cut
up with ridges and washouts. We rode
forward during the rest of the day, hop.
ing to overtake the man, and neglccting
no precaution to insure our own safety.
Just at shutdown we followed dry gully
up long ridge aud debouched from it,
seeing sight which for the moment APP
peared to be an optical delusion. There
were Indians on our right, on our left in
front, aud turned in my saddle to see
other Indians closing in behind us. As
we halted and looked around us many of
the redskins expressed their humor by
grunts. They had probably been riding
to the right and left OF us for hours,
and had finally formed this cul dc sac
for us to ride into. 1t was taking great
deal of pains for nothing, but the Indian
sometimes exhibits queer vein of humor.
They were not disappointed in thinking
we would be surprised.
TWAS fully two minutes before chief
rode forward and said "How-how," and
extended his hand to me, and as he did
SO the whole body closed in. / am
SO unfortunate as to be marked on the
left temple with that birthmark known
as wine stain, The spot being as large as
silver dollar. My lat was well up, and
my hair back rs tGo chief rode up, and
tho instant he noticed the mark he let
go my hand and said something to those
crowding up. Pretty soon he pushed in
and touched my face, perhaps thinking
the mark to be wound or sore. Others
did the same, and when they found it was
part of the skin they expressed much
wonder and reverence.
While had served rs q scout only q
few months, kflew considerable of In
dian character, and was not long in re-
alizing that had made hit. While no
violence was offered Us, we were dis
armed and our horses were led behind the
ponies of the Indians us we moved off to
the east. We Travelled until about mid
night before hating, and then reached
an Indian village ON Soldier Creek. Ao
we descended from our horses, Robinson
was led off by two warriors, while was
conducted to the wigwam of Red Trail,
n sub-chief in command during Pawnec
Killers absence. had been busy plan
ming during the ride, and had made up
my mind to pretend to be without the
power of speech. found opportunity
to whisper to Robinson to pursue the
same policy, but unfortunately he had
not the nerve to carry out the idea. The
fact of his being captured broke him all
up. Tho recollection of what McHonry
must have suffered unstrung his nerves,
and 1 heard him begging and entrcating
as he was carried away.
Red Trail closely examined the mark
on my face, and was rs much mystifed
as the others. I still had power in re-
serve. Having served through the war.
in the navy, it was but natural that
'sfseSa'rd carry s.~sdilor's passport. On my
left arm was tattoo representing an an
Choir. This was seen as two warriors
stripped my buckskin shirt off to look
for further marks. Not an Indian in
that camp had ever seen anything like
the mark, and when the examination had
been completed felt sure that was
looked upon with awe and mystery, if
not venerntion. was conducted to
tepee and motloned to turn in, and had
every reason to congratulate myself on
the plan / had pursued. I had made
signs that 1 could not talk, and the in
formation had been accepted.
Next morning Pawnce-Killer arrived
in the village. He had agreed to surren-
der his tribe and go on reservation, but
it was bold-faced lying on his part. His
very first move was to order the village
to pack up and move back about twenty
miles. This consumed the entire day.
AS we were ready to start l received nv
horse to ride, and my hands and legs
were left entirely free. I saw Robinson
brought out, and he was loaded down
with kettles aud led by rope. At no
time during the day was he near enough
to exchange word, but on several oc-
casions saw him kicked and beaten by
the squaws and boys.
1t was nine o'clock in the evening be-
fore l was taken into the presence of
Pawnec-Killcr. He seemed to have ac-
copied the belief of the others, and, in
less than quarter of an hour, waved me
out of his wigwam. may state here
what learned two or three years after.
1t was the belief of the Indians that had
been struck by lightning as I slept, and
that the fluid had left the two marks to
provo that was invulnerable.
They further reasoned that lost
my speech at the same time, aud was
therefore an object Of venoration. was
in no wise hampered or restricted, but
found shelter MS soon as possible and was
soon asleep. wanted to do something
for poor Robinson, rut just how to do
it I could not figure. The treatment ac-
corded him during the day did not augur
we'll for the future.
When morning came again had q
hearty breakfast; and then two old men,
orrn p6 with on1r, H1,r, o-1