Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-11-14
CULVER AVENGED.

Inc winter trade was over, and
nearly all the Indians had left the
vicinity of our little trading post on
the Missouri to pass the summer
back on the prairie and along the
foothills Of the mountains. We had
shipped all our furs and robes on
the last down steamer and now there
was absolutely nothing for US to do
but kill time as best we could until
another season s trade should begin.
Situated as we were some 300 miles
from the nearest town, our post was
not a very lively place in summer,
and our only neighbor was saloon
man who had built a place so yards
above us. But with him we had lit
tie to do. He was a surly, unkept
fellow, and there were generally
hanging about his place set of men
who came and went mysteriously,
whom we more than suspected were
members of a gang of horse thieves
and road agents that used to ply
their trade along the Yellowstone
and Missouri rivers.
My partner had gone east with our
shipment of furs to dispose of them
and order fresh stock of goods, and
| was alone except for the company
of good father, a broad and LIBERAL
minded priest, whom | had persuad-
ed to stay with me until my partner
should return. The bishop of the
Saskatchewan had sent him south
the preceding year to minister to a
part of his flock, the plains Crees,
who we're in our vicinity.
One drowsy afternoon in June the
father and | sat ont in the shade of
the overhanging roof smoking and
tanning ourselves, for it was hot
day. In the saloon just above US a
poker game was going on, revealed
to outsiders by the subdued hum of
voices and the ceaseless rattle of
chips. AS / said, most of the In
dians had gone out on the summers
hunt, but two or three families were
still with us, and presently young
man named Culver came along with
his wife and sat down by the father
in the grateful shade. During many
years passed with the Indians on the
plains, | think this was the hand
soonest couple | ever saw. The
woman, much lighter colored than
many Spanish woman, had sim
gularly graceful figure, and her feat
ures were well nigh faultless. Her
eyes were exceptionally large ard
brilliant, full of expression, and were
shaded by long, sweeping lashes.
Her hair, neatly braided, hung in
two massive strands almost to the
ground. Culver would have served
an artist for model of Apollo.
What | liked best about him was
the broad, high brow and square cut
chin, which even in a savage denotes
keen intelligence united with force
OF character.
This couple, Culver and his wife,
Pal o-tab, bad been married a little
more than year. They were as yet
as deeply in love with each other as
ever. On the hunt or in the camp,
working or resting, they were insep-
arabic. Culver thought there was
nothing good enough for his beauti-
full wife. All the robes he secured
all the beaver and otter he caught,
were traded for fHe blankets, soft
and bright colored dresses, and for
jewelry with which to adorn Pai-o-
tab. He wanted nothing for himself
except little tobacco and few car
tridges for his rife. The couple sat
with us half an hour or more talking
with the father about affairs in their
own far northern home.
Riel, who had later created the
Canadian rebellion, had lately been
among the Indians urging them to
return home and wrest their ances-
trail lands from the relocated usurp.
ers, and Culver was anxious to get
the fathers opinion of the matter.
The good man plainly told him that
it was visionary scheme and could
not possibly succeed. He explain.
ed that the Indians not only would
have TO fight the Canadians, but that
If necessary ships would bring thous-
ands Of soldiers from across the salt
: water. ten white men for every In