The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-11


feet and grazing as VIC found him, but so
lame that he could scarcely move. We
removed the saddle and blankets, and
found Jackson's revolvers in the holsters.
From this point we had no trail to
guide us, and the 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 neglecting
no precaution to insure our own safety.
Just at shutdown we followed dry gully
up long ridge and debouchcd from it,
seeing a sight which for the moment ap-
peared to bc an optical deluslon. There
were Indians on our right, on our lcft,in
front, and 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 de sac
for US to ride into. 1t was taking great
deaf of pains for nothing, but the Indian
sometimes exhibits queer vein of humor.
They were not disappointed in thinking
We would be surprised.
Itwas fully two minutes before chief
rode forward and said 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 hat was we'll up, and
my hair back as the chief rode up, and
the instant he noticed the mark he let
90 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, aud when they found it was
q part of the skin they expressed much
wonder and reverence.
While had served as a scout only
few months, I knew 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 as we moved OF to
the east. We travelled until about mid
night before halting, and then reached
an Indian village on Soldier Creek. As
we descended from our horses, Robinson
was led off by two warriors, while was
conducted to the wigEam of Red Trail,
a sub-chicf in command during Pawnee
Killers absence. Ihad been busy plan
ming during the ride, and had made up
my mind to pretend to be without the
power of speech. I 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. The recollection of what McHenry
must have suffered unstrung his nerves,
and heard him begging and entreating
as he was carried away.
Red Trail closely examined the mark
on my face, and was as much mystihed
as the others. still had power in re-
serve. Having served through the war
in the navy, it was but natural that l
should carry sailors passport. On my
left arm was tattoo representing an an-
chor. This was seen as two warriors
my buckskin shirt off to look
for further marks. Not an Indian in
that camp had ever seen anything like
the rlark, and when the examination had
been completed I felt sure that was
looked upoa with awe and mystery, if
not vencration. was conducted to a
tcpee and motloned to turn in, and had
every reason to congratulate myself on
the plan I had pursued. had made
signs that could not talk, and the in
formation had been accepted.
Next morning Pawnee-Killer arrived
in the village. He had agreed to surren-
der his tribe and 60 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 received my
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 I was taken into the presence of
Pawnee-Killer. He seemed to have ac-
cepted the belief of the others, and, in
less than quarter of an hour, waved me
out of his wigwam. may state here
what I learned two or three years after.
1t was the belief of the Indians that I had
been struck by lightning as slept, and
that the fluid had left the two marks to
prove that I was invulnerable.
They further reasoned that i lost
my speech at the same time, and was
therefore an object of veneration. was
in no wise hampered or restricted, but I
found shelter as soon rs possible and was
soon asleep. wanted to do something
for poor Robinson, but just how to do
it could not figure. The treatment ac-
corded him during the day did not augur
we'll for the future.
When morning came again I had
hearty breakfast; and then two old men,
armed with only bows and arrows, took
me down the creek about mile and
then sat down on the grass. 1t was an
hour or two before I could make out the
of the move, but then heard
sounds from the direction of the camp
which satisfied me that Robinson was
being put to the torture. Onc of my
ouor;s soon loft for tho villaun and an