Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-08-05
MOCCAsIN's BABY.

G4AAiLEA OF ANlA E4AAilLeu American
Indian possibly the very worst-is
his improyidence He has little or
no thought OF the morrow and the
necessities II brings with H. He is.
generally speaking, satisfied with
what IL Fin sight, II he has suifi-
clent food To stop the cravings OF
hunger and sufficient clothing TO keep
him warm for one day only. il is
enough.
He has also another most notable
failing. and that is obstinacy. To
force him TO perform an act contrary
20 his inclination IL like trying TO
make water run up hill But he is
very easily persuaded. and a kind
word or deed will at all times have
more beneficial effect upon him
than the muzzle Of musket
Not many years ago a snbchief on
one Of the Upper Missouri reserva-
iions became angry at some real or
fancied slight put upon him while
drawing rations al the agency, and
decided 10 quit the reservation and
shift for himself Gathering together
small following Of braves, with
their sqnaws and papooses. one mid
summer night. wIth all their belong
ings aud what provisions they could
surrepti,iously lay their hands on
they decampcd for the Bad Lands.
about $50 miles 20 the westward.
In due time they reached their
destination and chose as a secure
hiding place yerdant little oasis on
the banks 81 q small stream. iringcd
With elders and willows Poles were
cut, wickynps constructed. and soon
I the little colony was enjoying the
free aud easy life az Incidence 50 dear
+ 10 the heart ~ the red man-irec
4 from the cares and restraints ~
agency supervision, but also free
from the ratluns regularly dolcd out
/ by the agent However. they had
f brought considerable quantity ~
provisions wiih ihcm. which was
augmented by game from the sur.
rounding country and fish from tho
stream. and at fret they managed 70
keep the pot boiling mcrrily
The braves hunioa and Gshcd and
the squaws attended 70 the household
duties and Move wicker baskets "a
take back 10 The agency when their
y lords should become tired 81 their in.
dependence and conclude 10 return
hithcr. But the men were stubborn
aud had no intention 81 returning i'm.
III compelled 10 by necessity, Rumors
81 . probable uprising had been
afoat before They left tie agency. and
a. thoy were now counted among tho
hosiilcB. because oi their dcser,ion.
They determined 70 remain unde,
cover and await developments.
Among the hrs, 10 join Two Bears
IN his adventurous expedition was q
Young brave glorying In the name o.
Big Thunder, 80 called. after the In
dian fashion, because Of his bolster
Gus disposition, A wear or 50 pre-
vious. while on visit to q neighbor.
ing agency he had been smiticn with
the charms 81 Bright Moccasin,
daughter ~ n chief 81 some note and
the possessor az more beauty thar
usually falls 70 the lot Of Indian wo.
meH Whom tie disgrnntled TIVE
Hears invited them 20 join his party
the young couple readily accepted
not because they were dissatisfied
with life az the agency, but from D
desire TO rove little.
The remainder OF the summer
passed with no event worthy Of spec
ial record. Early in the fall tn,
camp experienced ripple Of excite
ment when Bright Moccasin pre-
scented her lord with son and heir,
Whom the festivities attendant upon
this occasion had quoted down III,
life % lazy routine WAS continued.
Winter came and provisions began
to grow scarce. Still the braves
porseverod IN their determination moi
TO return TO the reservation. Tn,
souaws had no vote in the matter,
To an Indian woman her husband;
word Is law. II he chose to die o
starvation no voice in the wigwau
would be raised in protest. In truth
she would believe IL her bounder
duty to follow his example.
II was plain something must bC
done. and at once, A council OF pub
lie safety was convoked, and after
much palaver, at the earnest solicita
ton of Bis Thunder, who had at las
become aroused 90 the danger threat
eninp his wife and little ono, it was
decided that the men should ride
back 60 the agency, secure sufficient
supplies to tide the party over this
winter and return. A roundup o
the provisions on hand was made
and Il was estimated that there wa'
enough, with strict economy, to las
the women and children week
| which would be ample time for the
men TO make the round trip So one
cold December morning the braves
rode away to the eastward
Nh sooner did they arrive at The