Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-11-19

|
the horizon the horsemen headed toward
a wooded ridge, at the base of which they
hoped to find shelter against the cutting
j, wind, and fuel for fire. There was dry
grass, too, for their ponies.
They rode on silently. Wharton hat
not seen another Indian during the day
and was sanguine of reaching the Agency
without collision with them. 1t was his
wish to avoid any conflict or skirmisl
until after reporting at headquarters, fol
grave consequences sometimes flow a
/, such juncture from even tri1ing col
lision.
The scout, therefore, uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise when, just before
reaching the spot selected for their camp,
he saw the CLEAN of fire through the
trees.
"Hello!" he exclaimed, bringing his
pony to halt. "Some of them are
, there!"
"What matter?" answered Briff
"They are my people; they will not
harm you when | am with you"
Frick was not entirely satisfied, but
he had now full faith in his companion,
and went on. The two rode side by side
until they reached the edge of the wood.
Briff slipped from his pony first, and
hurried forward as if to open the way for
his friend, who was but few steps be-
hind him. There were three Ogallalas,
and they had noted the horsemen before
the latter saw them. They greeted Briff
stolidly, and each one as stolidly offered
his hand to Frick, as he came forward to
the campfire where they stood.
1t was a proof of Fricks wide ac-
quaintance with the red men that he knew
every one of these Ogallalas and accosted
them by name, in their own language.
Two were young bucks-both striking
specimens of their race, finely formed,
tall and graceful, and all were well
armed.
The third, known among the white
people as jim, was an old Indian. Fricb
had met him on the reservation several
times during his service as scout, and
had never known him to be engaged in
any trouble. He was taciturn and re-
served like most of his people, and it was
evident that he, too, recognized the white
man, whom he called by name, and re-
ferred to the time when they smoked
their pipes together at Pine Ridge
Agency.
Jim was the last to take the hand of
Frick, who noticed that his behavior was
peculiar. He pressed Fricks hand with
warmth not at all like an Indian, and
fixing his black eyes on those of Frick,
looked searchingly into his face, without
speaking.
Exactly what he meant by this curious
procedure was more than our friend could
guess, but it had the effect to make him
watch the two young Ogallalas closely.
They had prepared joint of venison,
of which all partook. The Ogallalas
showed no disposition to "turn in" for
the night; they mounted soon, and rode
to the eastward, and Wharton thought it
best to press on toward the Agency. He
and Britf, therefore, said good-by for
mally to their late hosts, and rode south
ward in the gathering dusk.
Frick had become convinced that the
three Ogallalas were hostile, and that
when the outbreak came they would be
among the fiereest of tho warriors.
The young bucks showed suppressed
excitement in every movement, and
Wharton was sure that nothing but
Briff's influence restrained them from
pouncing upon him.
Briff had exchanged whispered words
with the bucks. Frick had no doubt that
these words were in his behalf. But had
the Ogallalas disappeared for good when
they vanished across the prairie in the
gloom?
AS the scout and the Indian rode along
Britf was silent, communing with him
self. When Frick questioned him, he
said that he had sought to dissuade Jim
and his companions from joining in the
hostilities that were soon to break out,
but that his good words were thrown
away.
Briff showed no disposition to talk fur
ther, and Frick did not press him. They
rode on in silence.
The weather was still keenly cold, but
the ground was free from snow, and the
ponies loped forward at an easy gait.
The full moon rose. 1t was obscured
now and then by drifting clouds, so that
sometimes they saw but little way,
while at other times their view was un-
obstructed for considerable distance.
Less than an hour after starting, the
observant Frick noticed that his compan-
ion, instead of keeping his pony beside
his, showed u disposition to fall to the
rear. When he first discovered it, Briff
was twenty feet behind him.
Frick looked suddenly back and abated
his own gait, so as to permit the Indian
to draw up again.
'1s your horse tired ?" asked Frick.
"Im afraid So"
"Then we'll go slower"
Brff rode up, and they went side by
side again. But as Frick strained his
eyes looking at some object in distant
belt of moonlight, he noticed Britf was
again dropping behind.
Without appearing to divert his atten-
ton from the distant object, Wharton
watched the Indian, and made sure that
he was holding in his animal. Frick did
the same, and they were side by side
again.
Frick said nothing, but Just at this
moment he caught the sound of horses
hoofs on the prairie to the eastward.
"Those fellows are coming back" he
thought, "and there will be trouble"
The noise of the hoofs was heard only
for moment, as though it had been
thrown forward by puff of wind, or an
animal had stumbled. Without attract.
ing the attention of the Indian, Frick
glanced in the direction whence the sound
came, but could see nothing of the horse
men from whom he had parted but
short time before. He said nothing of
what he had heard, and Briff held his
peace, though he must have noted it.
| With belief that crisis was at hand,
| Frick held himself keenly on the alert