The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-13
Amaetsnts gateltigsHter.
4 SIOUX GRATITUDE.
THE STORY OF A CAVALRY OFFICER

4 SIOUX GRATITUDE.
THE STORY OF A CAVALRY OFFICER
BY II. D. SMITH,
Captain U. S. Revenue Service.
1t was during an encampmcnt of the
Alabama State troops that the writer
first met Major Raymond, Of the -
United States cavalry. He had &C
cepted an invitation to meet some Of
the gentlemen of Mobile, who, by re-
quest, had selected the cool, spacious
quarterback Of the white cruiser
snugly protected with awnings, as s
suitable and comfortable spot wherein
to smoke cigar, sip glasss Of bran
dy, and to spin yarn beneath
the cheering influences Of "Auld Lang
Syne."
Mojor Bob Crawford, Of the Con.
Tolerate Veterans, had lodged the is
sue involved in a request for re.
miniscence, but had compromised on an
exhibition of his occult powers, to the
no small wonderment and edifcation
of the assembled group Of gentlemen.
The last round of applause had died
away, and found an answering echo in
the clear ringing notes Of the ship S
bugle, as the notes trilled forth with
the tap of the bell, proclaiming. s
o'clock, p. M, and Major Ross, snip.
ping the ashes from his "Concha, -
volunteered his portion Of the enter
tainment by offering an incident con-
nected with brother officer. 1t is
somewhat singular withal how gen.
tlemen, reared in the lap Of luxury
and refinement, and grounded in all
the scientific attainments of West
Paint, can submit SO easily to hard
ships and irksome duties, of which
only those who have served on the wild
frontier can have but the slightest
conception.
Did your ever meet Lieutenant
Colonel Nat Ross Of ours? Well, he
is splendid fellow, every inch sol
dier, and, at the time the incident oc-
CURED which I am about to relate,
was the senior captain Of the regi-
ment. He was in command Of a COM
pany at Old Man Gulch, where there
was miserable and squalid town,
boasting of but one street, along which
the hastily constructed huts and shan
ties Of the inhabitants had been erec-
ted. An unusual crowd had congre-
gated in front Of a groggery, attracted
the officers attention, composed OF
gamblers, miners, desperadoes, greas-
ers, soldiers and a sprinkling of
camp followers common to such locali-
ties.
The captain, who was in a frontiers
man rig-slouched hat, flannel shirt,
and pants tucked in his boots
forced his way through the throng to
ascertain what was the occasion of the
crowd.
Two half-drunken cattle-tenders,
armed with stout, formidable bull
thongs, had edged into an angle of a
building, the tall, 1.-THE but muscular
figure Of young Sioux Indian. He
was barely 18 years of age, apparent
ly, and, from the eagles feather
twisted in his dark scalp-lock, was
evidently the son of a chief. His
blanket was drawn tightly around him,
his eyes, black as a ravens wing,
blazed with excitement and suppress.
ed passion, as silent, erect and mo-
tionless he faced the two brutes who,
with knives and the keen, cutting
thongs of bull-hide, had brought the
Indian STRIPPING to bay, much to the
delight Of the low, depraved denizenf
of the place who were eternally on the
lookout for the free rum or general
row.
"What's the trouble here ?" de-
manded the captain as he strobe be-
tween the bullies and their chosen vic
tim. "What are you doing with th'
lad ?"
"What's that to you p mutter
ed one of the men, who failet
to recognize the officer, so intent
was he upon worrying the "durnet
redskin. -
cit is this much to me- replied
| the soldier, in clear, measured tones
"Let the lad alone; he is but ont
against you all f; and as for you, men
retire to your quarters at once. Do yol
hear ?"
"Get out of the way, you uraw-b -bonet
| tenderfoot, or I'll give you some o
this :" and one Of them fourished hi
bull-hide in swooping circles about tn
| officer 8 head.
| Now Ross, at the academy and ais
in the regiment, was counted one o
the best all-around gymnasts and box
| ers belonging to the corps, and hi
training, with muscles developed lik
| springs Of steel, coupled with statu
Of six feet in his socks, made him
focman worthy of the best bordere
that ever handled the pick or rife.
Like flash of lightning the cap
tain S arm shot out straight from tn
shoulder, one, two, and biff, bang,
yell, and two awkward, clumsy forms
suddenly rolled in the alkali dust
Seizing one of the bull thongs, tn
irate soldier applied it vigorously t.
the forms of the two ruffians, VIII
howled and cursed alternately as tn
lash stung their flesh. The mol
howled it's approval; the captain cas-
the bull-thing from him, motioned t,
the Indian to follow him, strode to
ward his quarters without glancinl
over his shoulder.
During the entire scene the youn!
Indian had not attempted to leave tn,
spot. He had watched keenly ever,
motion of his champion, and his swar
thy cheek assumed a brighter and NOR
vivid tinge.
rendering the Sioux silver dollar
the soldier added a few words of friend
ly advice, bidding him leave tn
town, which with his vices was nj
place for him. But with rapid ges
| ture the Indian swept the coin aside
- ! L ~ .