Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-09-14

/ then" laughed Harold.
And bent on his expressed purpose
| ne left has cousin, and went toward the
ponies.
In a little while he came back. with a
mischievous sparkle in his eyes, and an
nounced that he had sent the little
ponies away at a gallop.
The two Indian boys would have to
walk home, and Harold continued his
laugh as he painted them trudging
through the timber, in 40 good humor
over the trick he had played.
Frank did not relish the nature of
the joke. Indeed, he could see no fun
In TeAssOn 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
| occasion to take trip to town. TIL.
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
real Minnesota day.
The cousins mad 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 in the lake.
All at once a cry rang from Harold's
lips, and he sprang up with a scared
face.
What is it. Harold?" cried Frank.
'-Look-Indiansi"
Sure enough. few yards away stood
a group of 20 Indian boys. They looked
picturesque in their leggings and feath
cred head-dresses, and they seemed &c
enjoy the surprise they had given the
two boys.
Presently they advanced, and the
leader. a good-looking boy of 10, point
ed at Harold as he stopped within a few
feet of the cousins.
Indians want white boy" he said.
CHANGING at Frank.
They want me. Frank" cried Har-
old. What do they mean?"
white boy cut ponies loose once"
the young Indian continued. Indians
come to pay him back"
t i -; for
old. l 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 imploringiy to his
cousin.
II wish 1 had never seen the ponies
he said. What must l do?''
''Surrender,"
In moment the trick-player wa
surrounded by the Indians and clutched
by dozen hands. He was borne Oft
in triumph. followed by Frank, filed
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-haii
OF the Indians scrambled down the |
bank and threw themselves into the |
pool; the rest held Harold firmly.
All at once. at a 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 stified 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 a 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.
Boy no more cut ponies loose" said
the leader. Indians find trail that
day. and they know which boy play |
the trick"
Then away they went, with a series |
of whoops which attested their salts |
faction with Harold's punishment, and |
disappeared in Il short time.
Harold. on reflection, took his adven-
ture good-naturedly. and from that day |
he played no more tricks on the Indian |
boys of the frontier.-Golden Days.
BuryfnE a Rattlesnake Alive. |
1t would not seem very easy thing |
to bury snake alive. but that is what /
a traveller through western Indian Ter |
- ~ Il loir nc