Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-05

and deliberately that tho chief OF the
kickapoos was no ordinary man, and
the longer the Englishman studied the
Indians lace the more uneasy did he
become, until at last about three feet OF
cold SILVER began to play up and down
his back.
Rising slowly to his feet, Joshua
walked to his horse, and, unstrapping
superb crimson blanket from his saddle,
he threw it around Peeconowah' Shout
ders, and at the same time lifted the
Napoleon hat from the chief head and
set it upon his own. 1t was friendly
exchange of gifts, but the chief was on
his feet in an instant. Quickly I'M
buckling richly embro dered belt, he
clasped it around the Englishman's
waist, and, reaching up, repossessed
himself OF the Napoleon hat, which he
replaced on his head with a deep grunt
OF satisfaction. The cold SILVER seemed
to Joshua to gain three feet in length,
but no human eye could have detected
any trace of displeasure in that long,
hard, yeoman face.
Merritt now began series of expert
ents upon Peeconowah. Drawing
forth handsomely carved silver pocket
flask, he unscrewed the top and passed
it to the chief, who merely took long
smell at the contents, sighed, and then
handed it back to the owner. Evidently
he resented the attempt of the stranger
to plunge him into another debauch.
Joshua Merritt's hands were moist.
Such thing had not occurred in twenty
years. But he determined to play an
other card before the pow-wow should
be broken up. Walking up to his horse
he unslung superb rife from his sad
ale. Peeconowah's eyes glistened as
they fell upon tho tirearm. Placing it
in the chiefs hands he asked as re-
turn gift that the great chief OF the
Kickapoos would honor him by settling
the hat he wore upon his unworthy
head. Peeconowah appeared to assent
to the proposition, but suddenly with
drew to display the rife to the females
OF his family Merrtt's heart came to
complete standstill. 1t was just SO
many seconds taken bodily out Of his
existence.
In few moments Peeconowah reap
peared, and with erunt of satisfaction
lifted the hat from his head and placed
it on the Englishman S. Merritt made
start, and then his hand clutched at
his revolver. He longed to send bull
let through the Indians heart, for he
had deceived him. 1t was not the Ma
poleon hat "Old Fox Fond of His
Hole" had changed the hat while in his
wigwam. He had tricked the English
man out of the superb firearm. Merritt
could feel his hands turning cold. And
yet any demonstration OF feeling would
be fatal He smiled and in Indian
fashion grunted out his thanks for the
hat to Peeconowah, and then the pow
WOW ended. Joshua Merritt was
beaten. beaten at the very instant OF
triumph. Oh, it was bitter, very bitter.
He telt like rushing into the chiefs
abode and shooting him down like
dog. True, his own death would be
the inevitable conseg uence, but what
would it matter? Would life be worth
living without the Napoleon hat?
Heaven forbid! Nor would it be OF any
avail to spread gold before the chiefs
eyes. His answer would be: THE
great white chief at Washington sup
lilies all my wants in winter, and in
summer the hunting grounds are open
to mel" Oh, it was terrible! When
night came the Englishman threw him.
self upon his blanket with groan that
startled Gin-G Chi. All night long he
tossed about in a raging fever, mum
bling and muttering in his delirium.
But the faithful and skillful Gin Chi
knew how to administer such remedies
that by daybreak his master fell into
a refreshing sleep. Gin-Ghi had saved
his life.
Joshua Merritt was not slow to reach
a certain conclusion. 1t was this: There
is but enc way to get possession of the
Napoleon hat, and that is to steal is
It might cost him his life. but he was
firmly resolved to attempt it. Rather
death thousand times than go back
home to Liverpool without the Napoleon
hat. The great collector knew exactly
where he was. He knew that he could
not be far, not over thirty-tive miles,
from Fort Reno, on the North Fork of
the Canadian River. He had good
horse, and SO had Gin-Ghi. II they
could get but half an hours start OF