The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-20

our wide brlmmed white hats back in
the hills with our horses, and each Of us
wore a saddle blanket drapedl about his
shoulders, so we might easily have
passed in the darkness for a couple OF
Indians. Nevertheless we carefully
avoided the camp and succeeded in
reaching the spring without being seen
by any ore. CTolching down in the
underbrush on the farther side OF the
draw, we began the arduous task OF
waiting, like the hunter stalking a deer.
However, for once fortune was In u
favor. We had been there scarcely
half an hour when q woman was seen
approaching with Il small, empty water
cask upon her back. As she drew near
Dick grasped my arm nercely and
gasped out, THANK heavenl that's
her" The girl leaned yer the spring
and began dipping up the cold, clear
water. Dick watched her for a mo-
ment, then, putting his fingers to his
lips, made q sound like Il turtle dove
calling to Its mate. The maiden started
and gave Il quick, half frightened
glance toward the bushes.
Don't be scared, Minnie; It's me-"
said Dick in u low voice.
Hush" responded she in the same
tones. Are you alone?"
yes, 'ceptin' Bill. Come over here,
Minnie, ] want to talk 10 YOU"
She hid her water cask among the
weeds and slipped nolselessly through
the dense Copse to where we stood.
How dare YOU come here? The lnjuns
might kill you"
ar t...-4 aFIarta hat Il haH IN COO
you once more, an ! want you to go
away with us an be my wife, Our
HOSES are up on the hill yonder, an
we'll be miles away atore any n
misses you"
She stepped forward and half held
out her hand, then suddenly stopped
short, threw herself upon the ground,
and burst into a tempest OF sobbing.
Dick was evidently puzzled by her
actions at first, but quickly surmised
the cause Of her grief. Kneellng beside
her, he stole his arm gently about her,
and drew her head up to his shoulder.
Minnie" said he, you sure don't be-
lleve all this talk about the whites be-
In wiped out, an the whole country be-
tn turned into a happy huntin' ground
for the lnJuns?'
She raised her head and looked him
square in the eyes, Did you ever
know Of White Elk telling n lle?'
mo, but the OIL fool Is plum locoed.
He an all the rest Of the Sioux have
zone hog-wild ove this ghost dancin'.
First thing you know they'll get into n
ruction with the troops, an there'll be
yes" replied Minnie sadly, but
there'll be no Injuns killed. Our medi-
cine men have given the warriors shirts
Of thin, white cloth, through which no
bullet can pass. In n few short moons
you and all your people viii be gone.
Oh, Dick, II ] could only Save you'll"
and her sobs broke out atrosh.
Don't be worrit about me, Minnie.
I'll be here when white Elk an n whole
lot more on 'em are under the sod. But
! don't want you to stay with EN-, for
there's sure goin' TO be trouble. That
talk about ghost-shirts turHin' bullets
is all nonsense. / wouldn't n thought
they could have made you believe that.
You'll A girl that's been goin' to the
mission schools most all her lifel"
Minnie Strengthened herself Up, and
her eyes flashed. ut was In the mis-
sion schools that ! learned about Jesus
Of Nazareth. u poor, dcspised jew.
How he came from u people that had
been conquered and p|lundcred and
tramptd upon, as We Indians have
been; and how no was rcyiled and
Bcolfed at and finally cruclfcd, Yet he
walked upon the waters ind performed
many miracles May not THIS now
Messiah do the sAmr2"
Then she rose and drew her blanket
about her. Good night, Dick, and
gDud-by." Another instant and Gto
was gliding swiftly AWAY toward tho
lopcca
Dick watched her until her form had
Vanished In the d]utltncBs, then cam0
oyer 10 where I had mounted guard n
few steps away.
"trF mo- use said ho hurklly "Rho'H
Just a8 crazy az the rest on en-, bot't
uu HIgI, tU camp
Aftpr lhul We continued our thank.
l0HH task uf riding up aud down the
river trying to get news from tho front,
ono day we came suddenly upon u bnn1
" about no Sioux In full war paint,
evidently on their way to Join the hos
fiipH m the ind lands We did not
observe ihum until II was too late 10
rotroht, 20 W. rode boldly forward and
greeted them with a friendly "llOwl"
rhNy returned our gnlulatlUn rather
Hullanly, ] thonEhi, hut kept on their
way without oforlng Ia MODEST IN.
wa were beginning 10 hope that tho
| unnitf would blow aver Without much
| blOudthod ana punlud on up the river