Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1892-05-14
STAR-EYES.

nc uedut4lul valley, cdlLeu Dy the
Indians Otzinachson. and known to US
as the West Branch OF the Susquehan-
ma was the last foothold in Pennsyl-
vania east OF the Allegheny noun
tains that the Indians abandoned.
Both Fleet-FOot and his wife Minna-
waqua Sparkling Water) were re-
markedly tine types OF the Indian of
those days but they had a little pa
poose that was wonder and delight
to all the whites in the sparse settle.
ments. Even the fondest mothers ad-
mitted that he was Just the sweetest
little thing they ever saw-with the
exception of their own children. of
course. He had great big. laughing
hazel eyes half-rosy cheeks a nose
that a sculptor would have adored and
the cunningest little mouth. He was
very appropriately named Star-Eyes.
Little otar-Eyes was about ? years
old when the tribe migrated to the new
location far up the river Angry
threats had been made against Fleet
Foot because of his refusal to Join
them but he was happy and content
ed. and Minnawaqua dreaded the
thought OF leaving her white friends.
One day. shortly after the migra-
ton Fleet-Foot was hunting in the
mountains. Minnawaqua left her
wigwam, a solid structure of logs
which the whites had helped TO build.
TO 90 to spring for water. She had
left Star-Eyes playing on the floor.
but when she returned. in a few min
utes the child had disappeared. She
hastily looked about called him. and
then hurried out of the house to renew
the search.
She had hardly passed the door
when she stopped, turned pale and
pressed her hands to her heart. Her
keen native instinct detected strange
moccasin tracks on the ground. They
indicated the presence OF four indlvid-
uals Her mind comprehended it all
as she sunk fainting TO the ground.
Star-Eyes had been kidnapped by his
kindred in revenge for Fleet Foots re-
Iusal TO join them; that was evident
There was great commotiOu among
the settlers when they heard OF the
dastardly act. Many of them were
eager for immediate pursuit OF the
captors. out Fleet-Foot dissuaded them
by saying that the Indians would
surely kill the papoose if they found
that they were followed. and besides
there would be danger OF ambush by
a large party of Indians
About ten days after this episode
just before daylight in the morning.
Fleet-Eoot and Minnawaqua were sud
denly awakened by the voice of Star
Eyes at the door crying bitterly. In
trIce the child was in the arms of
mis- overioyed parents. but they were
surprised to find him tremblingly feel
ing her faces with his hands What
was the matter? He always spoke in
English.
StarEyes tant SEE
True enough. he was totally blind,
although the big. lustrOus eyes looked
just as natural as on the day he was
abducted. Fleet-Foot understood II
all. The tribe had wreaked their
ven eance by binding the innocent
child. and had then stealthily returned
him
The settlers were wild with RAGE
when they heard OF it Some Of them
were eager for an expedition against
the Indians. but cooler counsels pre-
vailed.
Ak the settlers were Quaker
IA I'm Philadelphia, who had
taken special interest in Fleet Foot
little .amily. Part OF the Quaker
family, including the mother. were
about 10 make a journey to the city TO
visit their friends. and it was sug-
gested that Minnawaqua and her blind
child should accompany them in order
that the latter's eyes might be ex-
amined By an oculist and treated. If
there was any prospect OF restoring
the sight
1t was tedious journey in those
days. on horseback all the way 20
Harrisburg. and thence by primitive
stage coach; but it was accomplished.
and the little blind papoose was taken
to an eminent oculist. Examination
showed that the eyes had been blinded
by holding close to them, with tho
lids opened. a very hot object prob
ably either a red-hot iron or SUPER
heated stone. II was not the first
case known OF such Indian atrocity.
The oculist did his best 10 repair the
vision. but all he could accomplish
was TO restore just sufficient sight for
the child to distinguish between light
and shade. He could distinguish per-
sons only by their voices
Ten years passed and the line Of
settlement reached farther up the
valley. The kind Quaker family
moved dozen,miles above TO the mouth
Of Pine creek. and Fleet-YooL with
three children in addition TO the
nearly blind boy. determined to move
westward with then II was difficult
for the Indian. even with the help OF
Miunnwaqua in basket makilg. to
eagn a living for his little family.