The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-15
CULVER AVENGED.

nearly all the Indians had left the vi
cinity 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 trade should
begin. Situated as we were some 800
miles from the nearest town, our post
was not very lively place in summer,
and our only neighbor was saloon
man who had built place so yards
above us. But with him we had little
to do He was surly, unkempt 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 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 I was
alone except for the company Of good
father, broad and liberal minded
priest, whom I had persuaded to stay
with me until my partner should re-
turn. The bishop Of the Saskatchewan
had sent him south the preceding year
to minister to part Of his flock, the
plains Crees, who were in our vicinity.
One drowsy afternoon in June the
father and sat out 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 I said, most of the
Indians 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 CRATE.
full shade. During many years passed
with the Indians on the plains, 1 think
this was the handsomest couple I ever |
saw. Tho woman, much lighter colored
than many Spanish woman, had sin
.gularly graceful figure, and her features
were we'll nigh faultless. Her eyes were
exceptionally large and brilliant, full Of
expression, and were shaded by long,
sweeping lashes. Her hair, neatly braid
ed, hung III two massive strands almost
Ito the ground. Culver would have served
an artist for a model Of Apollo. What
4 liked best about him was the broad,
high brow and square cut chin, which
even in savage denotes keen intelli.
gence united with force Of character.
This couple, Culver and his wife,
Pai-o-tah, had 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 inseparable. Culver
thought there was nothing good enough
for his beautiful wife. All the robes he
all the beaver and otter he
caught were traded for fine blankets,
soft and bright colored dresses, and for
jewelry with which to adorn Pal tab.
He wanted nothing for himself except
a little tobacco and few cartridges for
his rifle. The couple sat with us half an
hour or more talking with the father
about affairs in their own far northern
home.
Riel, he who later created the Cana
iian rebellion, had lately been among
The Indians urging them to return home
md wrest their ancestral lands from the
relocated usurpers, and Culver was
anxious to get the fathers opinion of
he matter. The good man plainly told
lin that it was visionary scheme and
'ould not possibly succeed. He explained
hat the Indians not only would have to
light the Canadians, but that if ncces-
ary ships would bring thousands Of SOL
Tiers from across the salt water, ten
yhite men for every Indian and half
freed in the northwest. All this talk Of
var had little interest for Pai-o-tah,
nd finally she slipped her hand in
9uivcr's and coaxed him to go home.
Happy, innocent children, said the
ather, as we watched them go up the
rail hand in hand. "Not a care or q
orrow to mar their daily lives"
AS they were passing the saloon big
uffian stepped out of the doorway,
lined his revolver at them and, calling
ut to some one within, "Bill, see me
rop that id Injun," fred With I
cry of pain poor Culver fell to the
round, Pai-o-tah dropped her robe and ]
melt over him. and with coarse laugh
ho man who fired the shot turned and j.!
yent back into tho saloon.
The father and fastened over to the
rostrate Indian. He was still conscious,
ut his face had assumed yellowish
ne, aud he said family: II AIN shot in s
10 back. Have pity and carry me to my {
,dge." By this time one or two Indians t
ad como over from the camp near by, !
nd together we gently lifted the =
ounded man, and, carrying him home =
lrefully, laid him ON his couch. Sure 8
Tough, the bullet had entered his back
/ tho left side and torn it's way through c
lie kidneys. There was no hope for him.
Leaving the father to attend the poor G
llow and give him and the heart.
rplyc, poi tnh cuoh ,oncp1of;pr On