Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1899-10-06
AN INDIAN DETECTIVE
A SIOUX SCOUT WHO WAS A GENIUS
IN GROUND READING.

Arklchita. a typical Indian, was chief
scout at Fort SssetOn. Dakota, IN 1882.
Although he knew English well, he
held the old Indian hatred Of its use,
and would never speak it except under
extraordinary circumstances. Ee stood
about five feet nine inches in height,
was slender, but wlry, and was about
81 years Of age. Ordinarily he was
slow and sedate in his actions-very
dignlfied; but when the necessity arose,
he could be as quick as a fash. and
had like every Indian on the north
western plains. n pair Of eyes that
could equal any lieldglass.
His services-for he had been en-
ployed as scout for some years-had
been very valuable to the government,
and, in recognition Of this fact, the off,
Ger in command had secured authority
from the war department TO promote
HIM to the rank Of sergeant: cOnse-
quently he went around in a neat uni
form with cheyrOns and stripes, very
much impressed with his own impor-
tance, which he considered second only
10 that of the commanding officer; and
he took care that every one else also
should respect his rank and dignity.
AS his native name is the Sioux for
Soldier" it is easily seen why he was
so named; but be had still another
name. which the Indians had given
him before his entering military cir
cles, and that, translated into English.
was the "grassWalker," or trailer"
from his absolutely marvellous ability
to find the trail Of anything that left
even the slightest trace on the ground
as 1t passed over 1t.
A desperate soldier named Brice
broke jail one night and was pursued
the following morning The trail led 10
the west for tribe over a mile; then II
turned north for a quarter Of mile
and we followed until We came 10
tree at the edge Of slougb to the
northwest Of the fort. called the "ear-
den bar slough" Here AYkichita point
ed under the tree and said Brice had
lain down there to rest.
The trail here led into the slough.
A Dakota slough is a shallow lake,
the water Of which is from six inches
to three feet deep, with a soft, muddy
bottom, but not generally miry. The
center Of the slough Is usually free
from grasses or weeds. but along the
edges, from 20 to 60 yards out, long
tule grass grows.
This particular slough was a nils
long and varied from an eighth 10
quarter Of mile In width, and there
was foot Of water covering as much
soft mud During the night the wind
had rolled the water up considerably.
1t seemed hardly possible to track any
thing through II. except where the tule
had been broken down. Where that
was the case, even | could follow the
trail; on reaching open water however,
the case was different.
The eastern end of the slough reached
to a point near the fort not more than
$50 yards from n brickyard, on which
was a kiln that had been built during
the summer. The kiln was now ready
for firing.
Once thought Arkichta was bafied,
after all; he had come to dead stand
still near the tule. Then an inspiration
struck me; perhaps by circle could
find the trail. Happy thought put II
into immediate execution and found
one. Rather elated at my success.
called, Come quick: heap trailW lie
came over. took one look; just the sug-
gestion Of n smile played on his face
as he said Cow"
I did no more trailing. but under
stood what was bothering him. The
most herd also had waded through here
since Brices escape, and 1t took all the
scouts endless patience and wonderful
eyesight to keep the trail where the
cattle had passed through 1t. The grass
stem was Of no use here.
We had passed over half the slough
in this circutous route. when sudden
" Arkichita started. straight as the
crow flies. for the edge Of the slough
near the brlckkiln. Was be following
the trail?
ON he went until he came TO the
shore nearest the kiln: here he stopped,
evidently bothered again. There was
scarcely discernible footprint In the
mud and water right at the edge OF the
slough. apparently the last step the de-
serter had taken before reaching hard
ground. This footprint showed the toes,
so the deserter was now barefooted.
Another thing about this print was its
direction; il stood at right angles TO the
line previously followed. Either the
man had taken a sideward spring for
the land from his right foot. or he had
turned around and started back over
his own trail.
Arkichita went down on his knees
and inspected the grass, blade by
blade. | kept a respectful distance at
one side. astonished at the turn the
affair had taken. Now, inch by inch'
on his knees. he wrenched the secret
from the apparently unwilling surface
OF the earth. Eighty yards from the
kiln. he looked up and glanced at H.
The same idea evidently instantly occur
red 10 both Of us. The trail was lead
ing TO the kilnl Then he rose. and.
bending over. slowly advanced to the
edge Of the brlckyard.
After reaching the yard. Arkichl1a
walked slowly around the outer edge
OF II. examining the ground with tho
utmost care, until he came to the point
from which he started. when he SAID
Trail come in-no go out; man IN
there" pointing to the kiln
And circumstances proved him to De
right. though il was 80 hours before
the fugitive was located in the Kun and
captured.-Lieutenant w. {. behne'T
u. S. A., In st. Nicholas.