Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-10-13

has to work out his own conclusions
and salvation. This is the way Mack
worth eventually tried to work out his
| There came one day a runner from
the hostiles-a dish faced, straight lock-
ed creature of sinews-who spoke
through the White mountain interpre-
ter of the troops and said that his chief
was ready to 20 back to the reserva-
tion, but that he must go upon his own
terms. And the chief stipulated, more
over, that one white man-one, alone
and unguarded-should go to the hos
tile camp and discuss those terms. If
force attempted to come, he would
retreat with his braves and stay out all
winter.
Morley made answer that he had no
fear of the chief staying out all winter
among the mountains when the agency
was so comfortable, but that if he did
the white man could stand it as long as
could he. Moreover, he said that none
of his soldiers had any intention what
ever of walking into a death trap Of
the sort.
Then Mackworth spoke up. 81 have"
he said.
Get out" said the captain incredu-
lousy.
81 mean what l say" said Mack
worth, land l shall consider your per-
mission to so the greatest and the only
favor you can do me. Something may
be effected by it,"
Your death, that's ALL and a little
preliminary torture"
The lieutenant shrugged his shout
dcrs. "Shall you let me go?" he in
sisted.
'Not by long sight"
II wish to go, Captain Morley"
Morley considered, and he decided
that 1t might not be wise to refuse
There was no knowing just what the
set faced boy might do. SO they par
leyed together for time, then Mack
worth mounted his horse and went. He
did not expect to come back, and the
officers and men did not expect to see
him again.
After four hours they came to the
| iiOutn VI IL hdiloN Nuht hC
had given no sign or sound, and the
fixed look had not gone from Mack
worth's face. Well within the canyon
the hOstiles were in camp. They had
hobbled their lean little ponies, the
squaws were gathering wood and the
bucks were squatting uron the ground
or playing monte with cards of painted
hide, around cowskin spread under
cedar tree Four of them rose and
slouched forward. There was n pro-
longed scrutiny upon both sides.
The chief waited for Mackworth to
begin, but the white mans instincts
were good. He beat the sullenly silent
redskin at his own game, and in the
end the chief spoke. The runner dis
played for the first time his under
standing and interpreted. Mackworth
made answer with decision, offsetting
his own terms. The bucks scowled, and
the chief began to argue. The white
man with the unflinching eyes would
not compromise. Tell him." Mack
worth said, that this is my will. If he
will not do this, go back to the sol
diers and we follow you and kill you
all, man and woman" The face of the
chief grew black, n grOwl rose from
the crowding bucks, and the watching
squaws began to chatter in voices
sweet as the tinkle Of glass bells.
The chief stepped suddenly forward
and caught the bride above the curb
shanks. Net so much as an eyelash
of the stern, white, young face culver
ed, and the heart of the red man was
filled with admiration. One move
ment of fear would have cost Mack
worth his life then, but he was not
afraid, not though he knew that tor
ture might await him. He sat looking
coolly down at the lowering, cruel
faces. The chief turned and spoke to
the bucks, and there was growl Of
protest. The squaws joined with a
shrill little chorus scream. But the
chief flung away the bride with force
which made the horse back.
"He do same you say. He go back
to reservation today. He say you
ukishee quick" said the interpreter.
Mackworth turned deliberately and
ukisheed, with no show of haste and
without backward loQk.
He reported his success and went to
his tent. His look of stolid wretched-
ness was unchanged, Morley began to
be nervous. He went to the tent him
self and found the lieutenant writing
letter by lantern light. 1t was not a
normal opportunity to take for that, so
the captain, being filed with misgiv-
ings, trumped UP an errand and sent
him off on ii. Then he looked ut the
letter 1t was to Mackworth's mother.
Morley did not read it, but he guessed
the whole thing in a fash He took
up Mackworth's carbine and slid it un-
der the tent flags into the outer dark
ness, Also he broke the Colts, which
had been thrown down upon the bed
ding, and put the cartridges In his !
pocket. Then he replaced 1t In the |
holster and, going out, picked up the
rarbine and hid 1t in the brush.
After the camp was all asleep and
Morley snoring loudly across the tent