Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-12-21

secretly return and JOIN his tribe
on the plains,
Maude and the Captain, gallOp-
ing along one day, over an unire-
quented tract in the forest, came
suddenly upon the swarthy fugi-
tive. 1t was a complete surprise
on both sides. Maude was amused
at the adventure and laughed out
right. But Tom jerked his huge
single barrel from his belt, and
was just bringing it into position
to fire upon the poor fellow, when
little Maude brought her riding
whip down across the cold wea-
pom with a swapping stroke, and
cried, "Don1l Don'tl Captainl"
rhe command was one which he
burst not disobey, had it been to
save his own life. He sullenly re-
turned the weapon to its place,
and seeing that the old brave was
emaciated, unarmed and incapable
OF hurt, sat quietly upon his horse
and took note of the outcome.
Maude sprang from the saddle, ,and
holding the rein in her left hand,
approached and extended to the
poor fellow her right, in token of
friendship. Language between
them was unavaillng; but she soon
found out by means of mutual
signs and observation, that the In
dian had been seriously wounded
in his breast with the stroke of q
tomahawk, besides being other
wise variously hurt, but slightly,
with arrow shots. 10 Maude, 1t
was something OF a realization OF
those thrilling scenes among the
red men of which she had SO long
been reading with such deep iu-
ierest; and time, too, for turning
to a practical purpose that sincere
sympathy which she had always
cherished for the wroDged Indian.
At her sweet instance, the Captain
dismounted, and with her help,
the poor starving Indian, with his
fostering wounds, was enabled to
take his place in the saddle upon
the back of the prancing Ham.
Then the spectacle! Side by side,
ON foot, the Captain and little
Maude Langfeld, each leading a
horse, atarted on their march back
to the Langhel1 mansion. On ar
irving, she caused the Indian to
she led him into the
house, ted him kindly and tender
~ dressed his wounds. For many
days she cared for him with all
the assiduItie5 of a daughter; and
when his wounds were healed, and
when he became once more able
to command his usual strength,
she supplied him with food for his
journey, and permitted him TO de-
part and be with his band on the
plains.
Tom, it was true, came but little
a bout the Indian; but the transac-
ton, upon the whole, was decid-
edly captivating, made so only by
the nobleness of the spirit in the
little girl whom he was so devoted
ly worshiping.
Now, 1t is needless TO rehearse
here the particulars of the change;
suffice it simply to say that the
two, in due time, became one; 1t
was no more Miss Maud Langtield,
but Mrs. Tom Voting.
The home of Capt. Voting was
within a neighbOrly dis
tance of the old Langfeld resi-
dence, only further out toward the
line of the settlement.
The location was selected mainly
with reference TO the captains
convenience; it was necessary that
be should be always in position
to receive the savages at the very
of the settlement. The
place was somewhat remote and
quite solitary. When the captain
was absent, Maude kept house
alone; her piano was her only
companion. and she knew well
how to make it talk "dull care"
away.
On a bright Indian summer after
noon an alarm was given; the cry
went forth that a band of maraud-
ing Indians had been seen In the
neighborhood. Captain Voting
sounded the call, his ranger"
band assembled, and were in the
promptest manner off in the gur-
suit of the enemy. Mrs. Voting
was left at home alone that day.
The "rangers" failed to strike the
trail, and, straying wide of their
purpose, left the prowling Indians
TO move at their own discretion.