The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-16

man about As or so years of age, well
built and dressed with gaudiest of cos
tunes. Nervously toying with the rifle
across his saddle and casting several
scowling glances at the lieutenant,
whom he no doubt recognized as his rel
cent captor. he spoke a few very i'm
pressive and vehement words to the
old driver, who spoke Sioux about as
well as the Indian himself.
What does he say, Burgess. and why
don't he let us pass?" inquired the lieu
tenant, seeming some devilment on the
part of his copper-colored friend.
ITS Rain-in-the-Face sir and he
says he wants your yellow vest"
Impressed with the fact that there
was no alternative and moved by the
entreaties of the frightened ladies', the
lieutenant reluctantly disrobed and
passed the coveted prize to the redskin,
who received it with malicious grin
of triumph and then allowed the ambu-
lance to proceed. Brewer had no III
tention of letting the matter drop here.
but resigned himself to the sting of the
premeditated insult with as good
grace as possible under the circum-
stances, firmly resolving to fix that In
dian at the first opportunity that Of
fered. He requested the driver and
ladies to maintain the strictest silence.
After the expiration of his leave ne
he CHANGED to meet few Indian boys
and promised big silver dollar to the
one who should first inform him when
Rain-in-the Face came into the post.
A month went by and Brewer was sit
ting one afternoon with a group OF OF
ficers, eXpatiatlng on the virtues OF the
first sergeant of X troop, an old dra-
COON of 20 wears service, when he was
interrupted by the steward, who an
nounced that an Indian boy was I'M
patiently demanding to see him.
Immediately the almost forgotten
episode of the vest occurred to Brewer,
and unceremoniously Selling his cam
pairn hat. he rushed for the door. A
little, half-naked Indian boy informed
him that Rain-in-the-F Face had just
come into camp, and then reached Out
his hand for the coveted dollar.
Mr.. Brewer ordered his horse. and,
mounting, rode across the parade in the
direction of the now visible reasktl,
who was heading up the well-beaten
path to the "canteen." The first In
tdmation old Rain received that any
one was anxious ITO see him was the
whistling of bullet past his head.
Hastily glancing in the direction or the
shot he saw. his old cavalry friend
headed toward him at full speed. Rain
in-the- Face Immediately wheeled his
supple little pony in the direction Of
the agency and set out at full speed.
Brewer, seeing that he had his man on
the run, satisfied himself with keeping
a couple of hundred yards in the rear.
The chase led up hill and down dale,
The prairie flew by so fast that 1t made
one dizzy to look at the tall grass.
Brewer discharged an occasional shot
to make the Indian appreciate the grav-
ity of his situation. The chief was now
thoroughly frightened. and gave vent
to his feelings by a series or snort
high shrieks at every shot.
Rain-in- the-Face reached his tepee,
flung himself to the ground and rushed
inside to grasp weapon, when Brew
er's rifle rang out again and ball tore
it's way through the dry buffalo hides
of the Indians tent. The sturdy Lieu
tenant refined up his painting steed IN
front of the squalid howell, and with his
rifle at his shoulder summoned the ter
rified savage to come out.
Rain-in-the-F Face sheepishly obeyed,
with his hands held over his head in
token of surrender. Brewer made the
Indian dsrobe. He removed his feath-
cred ornaments, ghost shirt, breech
clout, beaded leggings and moccasins,
until he was as devoid of clothes as on
his natal day Brewer. then directed
him to place his apparel on the flames,
which he sheepishly did. The finery
was soon converted into ashes, and his
most priced and boosted trophy-the
yellow vest-was next ordered pro-
duced. Its pristine gaudy splendor was
gone, as 1t had too often partaken OF
the food of it's thievish possessor. With
another shot or two which threw up the
dirt at the Indians feet Rain-in-the-
Face executed some rapid steps never
known to war dance or puppy feast,
and disappeared into the corner of his
dingy tepee. Rain-in-the-F Face, the
great Ogalalla Sioux, the pride of his
race, was cowed by a boy lieutenant
half his age.
Lieutenant Brewer and Rain-in-the-
Face frequently met afterward, but the
Indian skulked at the heels of the young
lieutenant like a whipped cur. Rain-in-
the-Face is to-day the arrant coward
he always was.