The Delta independent., 1893-11-08
Saved From the stake.

At I o'clock in the afternoon the
Pawnee scouts, who were riding half
q mile ahead of the column, gave the
signal to halt, and pretty soon word
came back that they had struck the
fresh trail of war party. Two or
three of them disappeared among the
foothills and were absent for an hour.
When they returned it was to report
that the war party had gone into
camp four miles away and that the
Indians had white man with them
as captive. From his dress they be-
lieved him to be a government scout
and from certain preparations being
made they felt certain he was going
to be put to the torture.
There were 100 troopers Of us, while
the Indians numbered only forty, but
they had gone into camp at the base
of mountain spur from which they
could note the approach Of anyone
coming within mile. except it be to
the rear. If we moved as a body they
would mount and away before we
were within rifle shot. 1t was finally
decided that one of the Pawnees
should conduct ten dismounted troop
ers over the mountain to approach
the camp in the rear. while the main
command was to move up as near as
possible without discovery and be
ready to dash at the camp when the
signal was given. 1t was 8 o'clock be-
fore we reached the crest of the
mountain. 1t was before we found
the ravine which the scout said would
lead US right into the Indian camp.
While we had only about mile to
go 1t had to be travelled in darkness
over a route which would have been
perilous by daylight, and it was close
upon 9 o'clock when we finally
reached the fringe of bushes growing
at the mouth Of the ravine.
Right before us and not 100 yards
away was the Indian camp. There
were three small fires burning, with q
smell of roasting meat in the air, and
from the movements Of the redskins
we concluded that they had just fin
ished their supper, late as was the
hour. 1t was some little time before
we made out the white man, as he was
bound hand and foot and lying at full
length on the ground. Fresh fuel was
thrown on the fires and as the camp
was lighted up an Indian came for
ward to the bushes and hacked down
a sapling with his tomahawk While
he cut and trimmed he was within
twenty-five feet of us. Had we not
crept back when we saw him ap-
preaching, he would have run right
over the line The stake was shar-
pened and driven into the earth at
about the center of the camp, and
while two or three Indians were en-
gagged at that four or five were collect
ing fuel ;.
to our left where big tree had been
uprooted by the wind. A cart load of
dry limbs WAS conveyed to the stalk Q
and piled up, and then the feet of tn g
captive were loosened, and two In
dians pulled him up. He was bare
headed, and the instant the flames
showed MS his face we recognized him
as Charley Keats, the government t
scout attached to Fort Wallace. He
had been captured at daylight that
morning about thirty miles away.
white man cold-going to build
fire for him--make him warml" said
the chief Of the band as he pointed to
the stake.
waugh! You are pack of skulk-
ing cowards!" answered the scout as
he drew himself up. "Burn and be
hangedl I've got the scalplocks Of
six of your best men, and you won't be
very much ahead Of Charley Keats!"
A dozen warriors ran in upon him
with raised tomahawks, but the chief
shouted for them to hold on and order
ed the prisoner led to the stake. A
rawhide lariat, which had been soak
ing in the spring, was then brought
along, and after the scout had been
stripped Of his clothing he was made
fast to the stake by the lariat being
passed around his waist He thus had
the freedom of his arms and legs, and
the fuel was SO arranged that 1t did
not come within three feet Of the
stake. While they were thus prepar-
ing him for the torture we saw him
glance about as II he might have a
faint hope of ree"-". but presently