The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-17
THE DEATH OF THE CHIEF.
sroBY OF HOW CUT HAND. THE BLACK
FOOT, cor HIS NAME

Order TO Rescue His wife, who Had
Been Carried Off by tho Kootensis-A
Montana Episode of tho Days Before
White Men Occupied the Country.
KIPP, Mont, Sept D. "A cold norco wind was
bowling over the wide sage brush MA in bordering
the river. and the wellstretched LODI eskin doomed
with mourniul sound the gusts beat IL Ag ainst
the supporting poles. The slender sticks creaked
under tho varying strain; the ears of tho smoke
hole tapped and snapped with loud reports; at
times IL seemed II the whole structure would DO
6iown away into tho gathering night Bitterly
cold outside, within II was warm and comfortable
The small fire burning in the centre Of the lodge
constantly fed with dry willows by an old woman
sitting near the doorway, gave out sufficient heat
and It's flames shed a cheerful glow about the in
terror This night however the cheer OF the IRE
was all its own: II could not make glad the hearts
Of those about H. and incite them 10 Jest and laugh
tor for CutHand, head Of the household. chief Of
the tribe was i'll, was dying He lay on his couch
OF buffalo robes, his head and .houlders supported
by the willow back-rest and the shadow Of death
was on his face His large lustrous eyes pressed
the intense pain ho suffered, but the firmly COM
pressed lips were allowed to make no complaint;
he had endured pain before as became warrior;
he would do so to the end. AT the right Of his
couch sat his wife and daughter and his wrinkled.
gray haired blind old mother. their lips moving
in silent prayer BY the side OF the sufferer knclt
an old medicine man, holding aloft the sacred
pipe and earnestly supplicating the sun TO have
pity, to mako the sick man we'll
you have aided and brought him through great
dangers" he concluded, oh, do not let him die
now Grant him a full, complete life, that he
may be the constant support Of these poor women"
Only that morning Cut Hand had arisen cheer
full as always. and apparently in his usual good
health, and after an early breakfast prepared to
join the hunters a great buffalo chase. large
herd having been sighted the evening before.
His favorite runner had been led in and saddlcd,
and grasping his rife and cartridge belt he had
started to go out, iust he reached the doorw ay
something gave way within him, a stream Of
blood issued from his lips, ne staggered back and
fell on his couch All day long the medicine men
had prayed over him. and the doctors had dronchcd
him with herbs, and with mysterious incantations
had sought to drive out the evil spirits that
dragging him TO the Ghadow land Through tho
long hours he had scarcely spoken. doing now
and again, and when awake regarding the mem,
bers Of his family with expression pitiful to
As night came on he grew worse, and as the shad-
ows deepcncd no waved away the doctors and
medicine men. and bade them let him die in peace.
But at this the women had made great outcry.
and wishing TO humor them he acceded to their
request and as last attempt they sent for another
great doctor, Na,os api, Old Sun. When he
rived, wearing his wolf head mask and carrying
his mystery bags arose and went outside: his
methods were secret; no profane eye was allowed
10 gaze upon them.
II seemed if the wind had increased in violence,
and now and then came with il sprinlxling Of fine.
hard snow, which stung the face II was very
dark. but tho hundreds OF lodges scattered along
the edge OF the w1llowfrnged stream could be plain
" seen the fires within illuminating them with
yellowish glow, while showers OF sparks were con-
tinually risiag from the smoke holes and stream.
ing down the wind There was no Teasing. no
dancing no singing in the great camp this nght
all tho people were sitting mournfuy In their
lodges recounting the brave deeds OF their chief
praisng his kindness and generosity, praying for
his speedy recovery
walked over to a nearby lodge raised the cur
tain of the doorway and stepped within
"OL-yi" said old Morning Plume giving mo tho
word OF welcome and motioning me to seat by his
side. How is it?" he asked Flow Is our chief /
now"
"Alas'"I rcplicd "his lifo in going fnst-