Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-08-05

AAliAGHt Alh ~ was AIAAiAtA AAAAAA a -
the rush attendant upon the IN
tic'pated outbreak the matter had
been overlooked and nothing had
been done. The prisoners were hor-
ror stricken Big Thunder begged
permission to guide relief expedi-
tion 70 the camp, and after some de-
lay the prayer was granted.
Selecting the swiftest horses the
agency stables afforded, and taking
enough food TO supply the immediate
wants Of the furnishing ones, the ~
lief party started.
At the camp, for the first two or I
three days. the usual routine pre-
vailed The squaws did not stint
themselves in the least, eating what
provisions they had with Customary /
reckless improyidenee, The men |
had promised TO return on the fourth /
day with plentiful supply o. rations /
so where was the necessity OF econ /
omy? But when the appointed day
came and went and the men failed 10
put in an appearance a feeling Of
insecurity began 10 assert itself
On the fifth day everything eat
able was consumed. On this day
they thought surely the braves would
return. AnXiously they strained
their eyes 70 the eastward, over the
stretch OF snow-clad prairie. but no
vestige Of life appeared within their
vision. Eagerly they listened for
the welcome clatter Of the far-off
hoof beats, but no sound greeted the
longing cars. The stiffness OF death
reigned. Ii seemed as though the
demon OF desolation had spread its
black wings over them and was watt
ing silently for his prey.
Thus two more days passed. The
cold was intense. and. added to the
pangs Of hunger. made the suffering
terrible Wood was scarces no sup
ply having been laid in during the
warm weather One fire was all
they could afford, and the whole
company huddied close together in
the tent Of the chief. hoping in the
combined warmth OF their bodies TO
put OF death from freezing.
In The tent sat the young mother,
huddled over the fire. her baby held
close 10 her bosom Her only desire
amid al the suffering was TO preserve
! the life % her child Had not her
lord warned her 10 take good care Of
his FIRST born2 But the cold and
hunger had dried the fount on which
/ depended the infants life, and de-
SPAR was gnawing al the mothers
/ heart
I Her eyes wandered around the
] tent and became fixed on a hunting
/ knife that hung from the lodge pole.
! She looked al in for some time in a
dreamy sort Of way. IL glittered,
and anything bright Is sure TO at
tract the attention Of an Indian As
she looked smile Of satisfaction
stole over her stolid features. a low
wall came from the bundle nesting
on her breast Her child was hum
CRY, She arose and took the knife
from its resting place, feeling its
! sharp point as she resumed her seat.
Her lord had shed his blood freely
and toolishly al the ''sun dance 1t
was now her turn. But hers would
be shed to better purpose. She
barred her bosom, and with a steady
hand directed the knife. The warm
blood flowed, the baby lips were
fastened 10 the wound anu hunger
was appeased. To the mother the
effect was weakening, but she Was
happy in the thought that she had
found a way to prolong the life Of
her child.
A.A.,. .s,,,. ,,n...s ~, ~, ~, nr,,
ing % the next the wife 81 the chief
stands nj the doorway Of the lodge
with weary eyes turned toward the
east. A feeling Of drowsiuess i
creeping over her and she cannot
shake 1t on. What is that! She
shades her eyes with her hands. Some
small dark specks appear 20 be
dancing before them She thinks
they have become affected from gaz-
Ing SO long al the dazzling field Of
snow and she closes the lids to warm
them a moment. When she opens
them, the vision Is clearer.
She rocs into the tent with the
glad tidings The mother Is nursing
her child and pays no attention She
IS TOO weak to talk. suddenly the
rhythm Of hoof-beats catches her ear.
A smile lights up and beauties the
poor shrunken features, and Bright
Moccasin sinks into her last long
sleep.
The rescuers listen to the dying
words of the chiefs squaw as she
faithfully gives an account Of life and
death at the camp during the strug-
gle with frost and famine, and when
her story Is finished they lay her in
the rude grave dug in the snow, be
side the other untortunates, and take
the back trail for the agency, big
Thunder leading the file with the
only survivor clasped tenderly in his
arms.
ANY day he may be seen lounging
about the agency buildings with a
small urchin tagging a. his heels.
He is not himself his friends say.
He is much changed; even his name
is changed, the name he gained in his