The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-04-05
a HAUNTED CONSCIENCE.
The Terrible Sensation That Follows the
Taking of Human life.

Taking of Human Life.
at IL a dreadful thing that human
life must be sacrificed, said Major G. o.
Bates in -he rotunda of the Lincoln hotel
the other evening. There was an omi-
nous look between him and Colonel Bob
McReynolds as the latter spoke. Some
how it had just leaked out that there
was some unwritten history as to the
Nebraska militia upon the frontier. A
word or two Of kindly coincidence elected
the following from Colonel McReynolds,
who has kept very silent heretofore.
cit was very nearly 3 o'clock when
Major Bates and myself left Pine Ridge
agency. All day Indians had been
swarming about the agency like so many
bees around a hive. Each one was
armed with a Winchester, and had on
his person no less than 100 pounds Of
ammunition. The widest excitement
had prevailed all day, so that when we
left the agency at that late hour en- route
to Nashville you can believe we were on
the alert.
From Pine Ridge the road led over a
plain for nearly five miles. Then began
the range Of mountains known as Pine
Ridge The major and had spurred
our horses for couple of miles out Of
the agency, then drew up into a walk.
We were following a circuitOus road that
led over these Pine Ridge mountains,
when suddenly from behind the rocks
ahead there confronted US two Brule
Sioux, with WinchesterS ready for &C
| ton. Major Bates instantly uttered an
alarm. This caused one Of the enemy
to skulk behind the other, both with
| Winchesters leveled upon us.
II was fairly panicstricken myself, and
scarcely knew what l was doing, but
| Major Bates, with his cool medicines,
drew his Winchester to his shoulder and
fired The report echoed up and down
the valley, and when the smoke cleared
away, there were two forms mOtlOnless
| upon the brow of the little hill ahead.
NV horse, frightened at the report of the
gun, was struggling in a frightful man
ner, and it was all could do to restrain
him Finally, when got him quoted,
| rode to Major Bates side. He was
pale as 4 sheet Of paper, yet firm anC
composed as a soldier should be. Hi:
first remark was, oh, God, this is aw
full"
The single shot from his Wincheste,
had killed them both. They fell upo1
their faces, their hands tightly clencheC
about the weapons they bore. We looked
for others, but none were in sight. Thel
| rode within few feet of the bOdie
and picked up war club. Their blan
| kets and ghost shirts were swarming witt
yermin or | would have taken then
along The major Invested one OF tn
dead Indians of his war bonnet, place.
his scalping knife in his belt and re
mounted.
LAS if by some strange fascination
fingered on the spot for few moments
Those bronze forms, motionless, lay wit
face to the earth. Human life had pei
ished there. The cold, snow covere
hills, resplendent with their wintr
beauty. brought naught but chill to tn
soul. Two forms, clad in their re
blankets, lay silent in DEATH The
meant harm to us who would not haV
harmed them. The winters sun Wa
/ fading beyond the chill blue hills.
: II rode from the spot and joined tn
major on the crest of a hill. His voic
was husky in tone when he said, Let [
. get away from here The road led owe
a mountainous country for the ne2
seven miles, then we came to the GU
/ posts of the Nebraska militia at ia
elbows ranch, where, after admlsslC
within the picket lines, we met Gener;
|. w. Colby, Colonel j. P. Bratt, of tt
First regiment, and Colonel }. {. Bill
of the Second. Major Bates here, trU
to his soldierly qualities, told of the ia
of the two Brules. General Colbys fax
, wore a vexed look when the affair w;
recounted He seemed to think v
should have waited until we were fire
' upon. Observing this, the major a
swered, Il have done so, and this is II
J. explanation
Il wish the affair was effaced fro
= memory" continued Colonel McRe
:: nolds The picture of those Indian
i lying there so still, the snow cover'
ii hills and silence of the hour, will lol
dwell in my memory, and | know tn
c: with all justiiable action of MAJ
Ed Bates, it must forever remain to him
=. nightmare which can never be forge
ten. chicago News.