St. Landry democrat., 1892-01-02

The weber grew colder as the day
declined md when the sun had neared
the horizi the horsemen headed toward
| woodbridge. at the base ofwhich they
hoped tohd shelter against the cutting
wind, an fuel for fire. There was dry
grass, td for their ponies.
| They de on silently. Wharton had
not seen other Indian during the day,
and was anruine of reaching the Agency
without olision with them. 1t was his
wish to void any conflict or skirmish
until afr reporting at headquarters, for
grave alsc0uences sometimes flow at
such a .ncture from even trihing col
| lsion.
The cout, therefore. uttered an cX-
clamatnl Of surprise when, just before
reachil, the spot selected for their camp,
ne saw.hc CLEAN Of fire through the
trees.
lido" he exclaimed, bringing his
pony D a halt. "Some of them are
| therr'
" hat NATTER answered Briff.
'Ihy are my people; they will not
halnyou when lam with you.'
F'ck was net entirely satisfied, but
he nd now ullfaith i'll his companion,
and vent on. The two rode side by side
unit they reached the edge of the wood.
Biff slipped from his pony first, and
hurried forward as if to open the way for
his riend, whowas but few steps be-
him him. There were three Ogallalas,
andthey had loted the horsemen before
the after sawthem. They greeted Britt
stoldly, and Zach one as stolidly offered
his nand to Flick, as he came forward to
the camp tirewhere they stood.
[. was proof of Tricks wide &C
cntintance with the red men that he knew
every one ofthese Ogallalas and accosted
them by name, in their own language.
Two were vung bucks-both striking
Specimens { their race, finely formed,
tall and gaceful, and all were we'll
armed.
The thir, known among the white
people as jim, was an old Indian. Prick
had met hin ON the reservation several
times duri:g his service as scout, and
had neverlnown him to be engaged in
ANY trouHt He was taciturn and re-
served, lie most of his people, and it was
evident tat he, too, recognized the white
man, whm he called by name, and re-
ferred p the time when they smoked
their ppes together at Pine Ridge
Agency
Jim vas the last to take the hand of
Frick, 'ho noticed that his behavior was
peculia. He pressed Tricks hand with a
warmth not at all like an Indian. and
fixing lis black eyes on those of Prick,
Iookcdscarchingly into his face, without
speaking.
Exacy what he meant by this curious
procedlre was more than our friend could
guess but it had the effect to make him
wAtchthe two young OgallaIas closely.
The, had prepared joint of venison
of With aH partook. The Ogallalas
showe no disposition to turn in for
the night: they mounted soon, and rode
to the eastward, and Wharton thought it
best o press on toward the Agency. He
and Britt. therefore, said good-bv for
maly TO their late hosts, and rode south
warl in the gathering dusk.
rick had become convinced that the
thre Ogallalas were hostile, and that
WIEN the outbreak came they would be
among the ticrcest of the warriors.
The young bucks showed suppressed
excitement in every movement, and
Wharton was sure that nothing but
Ifitt's influence restrained them from
puncing upon him.
Britf had exchanged whispered words
nth the bucks Prick had 10 doubt that
hcse words were in his behalf. But had
he OgallaIas disappeared for good when
hey vanished across the prairie in the
Gloom?
AS the scout and the Indian rode along
Britt was sileut, co'nmuning with HIM
elf. When Prick questioned him. he
aid that he had sought to dissuade jim
nd his companions from joining in the
ostilities that were soon to break out.
'ut that his good words were thrown
way.
Brit1 showed no disposition to talk fur
her, and Prick did not press him. They
ode on in silence.
The weather was still kecnly cold, but
lie ground was free from snow, and the
'onics loped forward at an easy gait.
he full moon rose. 1t was obscured
ow and then by drifting clouds, so that
they saw but little way,
Fhi!e at other times their view was IN
hstructed for considerable distance.
Less than an hour after starting, the
bservant Prick noticed that his compan
on, instead Of keeping his pony beside
is, showed q disposition to fall to the
ear. When he first discovered it, Britt
vas twenty feet behind him.
F'rick looked suddenly back and abated
lis own gait, SO as to permit the Indian
o draw up again.
"Is your horse tired ?" asked Frick.
Tin afraid So
Then we'll go slower
Britf rode up, and they went side by
ide again. But as Prick strained his
yes looking at some object in distant
'elt Of moonlight, he noticed Brif was
gain dropping behind.
Without appearing to divert his atten-
ion from the distant object, Wharton
watched Tie Indian, and made sure that
&c was, holding in his animal Prick did
he same, and they were side by side
gain.
Prick said nothing, but just at this
moment he caught the sound of horses
Ioofs OH the prairie to the eastward.
Those fellows are coming back" he
bought, "and there will be trouble"
The noise OF the hoofs was heard only
or moment, as though it had been
brown forward by puff of wind, or an
nimal had stumbled. Without attract
ng the attention of the Indian, Prick
glanced in the direction whence the sound
anne, but could see nothing of the horse
men from whom he had parted but a
hort time before. He said nothing of
ghat he had heard, and Britf held his
'eace, though he must have noted it.