The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-13
captain forded the stream and rode into


buck condescendcd to pay the
slightest attention to his inquiries
relative to the location he was in, or
the chances of obtaining a guide.
Grimly silent and sullcn, they turned
their backs, or retreated within the
smoky recesses of their tepees. Ross
had been on the frontier for num-
Der Of years, was well acquainted with
the habits of the savages, understood
variety of the Indian dialects, and
was looked upon as one of the most
accomplished scouts and fighters in
the service. It did not require sec,
ond glance to convince the officer that
he was in grave danger. He realized
that his presence in that camp was
not welcome, and he would have given
much to have been safely back on the
other side of the broad, running
stream. But pride and his reputa-
tation would scarcely permit his turn
ing hastily from them, or attempting
any movement that could be construed
by the redskins into a confession of
alarm or retreat.
Refining up his roam in the shadow
of tent, he deliberated for a moment
upon the best course to pursue. Ere
he had formed any plan, an Indian
warrior, in full war paint and regalia,
suddenly issued from the folds Of the
tepee, confronting the officer with a
stern, forbidding aspect.
"What seeks the pale-facc who has
come here unbidden?"
"Sheltcr, food and a good guide
to the white mans camp, was the re-
sponse.
The Sioux motioned for him to dis
mount, and throwing his bride rein
over projecting bough of a tree,
Ross passed into the interior of the
council tent, and was Immediately
r.ade prisoner, but was not bound:
Surrounded by numbers of well-armed
warriors, he realized that the slight
est attempt on his part to effect an es-
cape would result at once in the loss
of his life.
Sitting amid the dusky throng, he
listened to the talk of the council.
His fate was soon decided. He was
to die the next morning at sunrise
tied to stake and burned to death
the first offering dedicated to the
opening campaign, and esteemed
particularly propitious as an indication
of their success on the war path, mas
much as the victim was one OF the de-
spised 'Long Knives." "
One by one the warriors filed out OF
the council tent, leaving the captain
solitary and alone. No attempt to
bind him was made. 1t was impossi-
BILE for him to escape from the limits
| of the camp. Throwing himself on
pile of buffalo skins, the prisoner gave
himself up to reflections and thought.
To die at the hands of such mis-
creants, to fill nameless grave, his
fate shrouded in mystery-what an
ending to his brilliant hopes and as
pirations! What finale to his mill
tary career
The soft patter of moccasin foot,
and dark shadow falling athwart the
rude seat upon which he reclined, at
tracted his attention. Glancing up,
he beheld standing beside him well.
proportioned warrior, arrayed in ful!
paint, with his tawny locks bedecked
with feathers. Silent and motionless
as statue, the Indian gazed at the
officer for fully a minute; and Ross,
unable to subdue the feeling OF
extreme nervousness, then rose to his
feet.
"Does the Long Knife remember
me?'' the Indian demanded.
The captain shook his head, glanc.
ing hastily at the hideously painted
face before him. His thoughts were
not on bedecked braves just at that
time; he was brooding over the horri.
BILE fate which in few hours would
stare him in the face.
The red man never forgets. Listen
for my words are few; y and placing
the right hand of Ross upon his broac
chest, he continued Twelve moon'
ago I said We were brothcrs-ugh-
good p for, with a start, the inciden
Of the Sioux youth and the the twt
cattle-herders flashed across his brain
II am the brave-you remember now
we'll, Indian remember, too. To-nigh
when the new moon comes out above
high peak, the best horse Of the Siou,
shall be outside lodge. Jump through
opening and ride for your life. Indial
never forgets > and ere Ross coult
recover from his surprise, he wa
alone with the deepening shadows o.
approaching night, all closing rapid!
about him.
A wild flush Of hope, a rekindlin!
of the old spirit of recklessness, tool
possession Of the soldier, driving hare
from his heart the dull feeling of des
pair which had required tremendous
effort on his part to conceal it from
his willy foe. Although the chances
might be against him, there would a
least remain q fighting prospect
forlorn hope-that success nigh
crown the effort. He could at leas
die struggling for his life, while bounf
to the stake, there could be but ont
termination of it all. His eye
frightened, the blood coursed madl.
through his veins, and he stopped oc
casionally to peer through the opening
| the flaps of which had been carelessly
thrown together.
One by one the stars made their ap
pearance in the clear blue heavens
against which the bold, jagged out
lines Of the mountain ranges wer
sharply outlined. Within the CAM
comparatively quiet and stiffness
reigned, unbroken save by the occa
sional yelp of an Indian dog skulkinl
about the outskirts. Cautiously re
connoitering from his point Of obser
vation, the captain glanced about hin
but could detect no inmate OF the CAM
stirring within range of his vision
His prospects for making a bold dasl
for liberty were good, and his spirit
kept pace to his fever Of excitemen
which coursed through his veins lik