Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-12-01

you mention, Harold, would not elevate
us in their opinion"
pooh! Who cares for an Indians
opinion?" sneered Harold. IF you
don't want 10 have a hand in ii, I'll do
it all myself"
81 will not help you" was the resolute
reply. and | advise against anything
of the kind"
"Stay here and watch the water-dogs,
then" laughed Harold.
And bent on his expressed purpose,
he left his cousin, and went toward the
ponies.
In a little while he came back, with
mischevous sparkle in his eyes, and an
nounced that he had sent the little
ponies away at gallop.
The two Indian boys would have 10
walk home, and Harold continued his
laugh as he painted them trudging
through the timbev, in no good humor
over the trick he had played.
Frank did not relish the nature of
the joke. Indeed, he could see no fun"
in it. On the way home the boys agreed
not TO speak of the trick, as Mr.. Oar
rell had treated the Indians with uni
form kindness, and had won the good
will of all with whom he had come in
contact.
The boys kept the secret; but when
ever they went out together, Frank
was on the alert, for he had not for
gotten certain accounts he had read of
the Indians revengeful qualities.
1t was not until two months after
Harold's trick on the two little swim
mers that Mr.. Darrell and his wife had
occasion to take "a trip to town. Tho
two boys were left behind to keep
house." and to amuse themselves as
best they could until the return.
The summer was just closing, and
the day was beautiful. All around the
landscape wore its richest robes. The
air was full of song, and the grass
waved gently in the soft winds. 1t was
a real Minnesota day.
The cousins had put in the time since
sun-up TO their satisfaction, and in the
afternoon shade were seated before the
cabin, overhauling their fishing-tackle
for some promised sport i'm the lake
All at once cry rang from Ilarold's
lips, and he sprang up with scared
face.
what is it. Harold" cried Frank
"Looll-.Indians."
Sure enough, a few yards away stood
~ group of 20 Indian boys. They looked
picturesque in their leggings and feath-
cred head-dresses, and they seemed 10
enjoy the surprise they had given the
two boys.
Presently they advanced, and the
leader, a good-looking boy Of lG, point
ed at Harold as he stopped within a few
feet Of the cousins.
Indians want white boy he said,
glancing at Frank.
They want me, Frank" cried IIar-
old. What do they mean?'
white boy cut ponies loose once"
the young Indian continued. Indians
come to pay him back
1T is tit for tat" said Frank. liar
old, ! guess you had better submit"
Then Frank turned to the spokesman
of the little band.
What will you do with the white
boy" he asked.
Pay him for cutting ponies loose
This was neither definite nor salts
factory. There was no telling TO what
treatment Harold might not be sub
jected if surrendered. But what could
the boys do? The Indian boys had
waited until the settler and his wife
were absent from home, and now they
had come for revenge.
Indians take white boy whether he
want to go or not" said the young
chief
Harold turned imploringly to his
cousin.
Il wish had never seen the ponies"
he said. What must | do?"
Surrender"
In a moment the trick-player was
surrounded by the Indians and clutched
by n dozen hands. lie was borne off
in triumph, followed by Frank, filled
with fear and anxiety.
The Indian boys did not subject Har-
old to any ill-treatment as they walked
him rapidly over the ground toward the
spot where he had played his trick on
the swimmers.
In due time the bank was reached,
and Harold was carried to the edge, and
made to look down upon the placid wa
ter 20 feet beneath. Suddenly one-half
of the Indians scrambled down the
bank and threw themselves into the
pool; the rest held Harold firmly.
All at once, at signal from the boy
leader, the white youth was lifted from
the ground and sent outward in Il
somersault toward the water! Harold's
cry of alarm was stifled as he struck
in the midst of the Indian boys wait
ing for him, and the next moment he
was caught and ducked again and
again, amid the cries of the young
Sioux.
Frank looked on with Il smile he could
not suppress. Harold was being paid
for his trick
After awhile the Indian youths car
ried Harold up the bank, and stood him
before his cousin.
"ROy no more cut Monies loose" said