Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-31
one In the whole tribe felt that he could
spare more, and the girl remained in her

saving and ambitious, and in q little
while he collected a nice band of horses.
and had also a number OIL robes, blankets
n guns, besides other things which
constitute the wealth Of the red men.
why do you suppose 1 am working
so hard and saving all l camp he asked
me one day. 4
"'Oh. I don't know I replied, unless it
Is to get you a nice young wife,
That's just it, he said. I'm going
to marry Silver Leaf one of these days.
II laughed, and told him the sooner he
gave up that idea the better it would be
for his peace of mind; that 1t was well
known Turtle had refused seventy-1ve
head of horses for her.
mo one in this tribe can pay more for
her. he replied. so I nave plenty of time
in which to make a bigger offer. About
a year from O I will have at least a
hundred horses. Turtle will not refuse
a herd Of that size.'
"Bearhead had never spoken to Silver
Leaf up to this time, and now he wanted
to let her know his plans. He schemed
around a long time watching for a
chance, II t>the old mother never left
to employ them to do the women's work
about my post, and orS day, when the
old woman went to the river for water,
he approached the girl and talked rapid
ly to her until her mother was seen re-
turning. A little later he came over to
where I was sitting and said that she
had not spoken a word to him. But
them he continued, she did not drive
me away: she stopped her work and lis
tened, n that is a good sign, I think
1t proved. The courtshfp began in
June. and by November the girl was as
much in love with Bearhead as he was
with her. The season for robe hunting
began and Bearhead was kept away. One
day some Blood Indians. a branch of the
Blackfeet tribe, came from the Saskatch.,
evan to visit the camp. A few evenings
later a big. fat, wheeling old brave
stalked into the trade room. followed by
half a dozen women staggering beneath
the bundles Of robes they carried. Fan
Make room for a chief when he comes
to trade The crowd moved at once,
leaving him the whole length of the
counter. These dog white men, he con-
tinued after a little, addressing the
crowd and pointing at me-, don't know
how to treat one who comes to buy their
low class goods; never a urink nor smoke
is offered
Il smiled pleasantly and asking him
to excuse my oversight. l invited him to
cup of whisky n filled a big stone pipe.
Presently he ordered his wives to open
their bundles. and l agreed 10 give him
5000 for them. Then the trade began.
He bought blankets. red and blue cloth,
beads, brass rings and bracelets. almost
exclusively.
You must intend to get married. I
said jokingly.
~ do he replied. Tomorrow the Sill
yer Leaf becomes my wife,
when he had gon the bystanders
told me that he was a great chief named
Many White Horses: that he owned
many hundred horses all pure white. and
that he had given Turtle 100 Of them. for
Bloods concluded their visit and left for
the north. Silver Leaf cried and strug-
gled SO. refusing to be separated from
her mother, that the other wives of the
chief were ordered to lash her on a horse
which one of them led. to make sure she
would not escape.
I'm a week Bearhead turned nearly
crazy with grief. It's too late now.' I
said, to do anything. OF course she is
now beyond your reach. Try to forget
THE will never be any one else for
me- he replied. We We're promised to
each other, and nothing will change us.
Do not argue with me. for 1 must do
THAT is in my mind
IT said no more. and the next morn-
ing he was missing, also my two best
he had gone in pursuit of Silver
Leaf. On the evening of the fourth day
he left he arrived at the Blood
camp. sent word to Silver Leaf Of his
and arranged a meeting with
her. The next night the couple left the
unobserved, and a couple OF days
later arrived home, having travelled day
and night in their hurry.
There was no end of excitement when
the news of their escapade spread. Tur-
tie was wild will rage; he called a coun-
Gil Of the chiefs and they decided that
he had the right to seize his daughter
and remove her to his own lodge. This
was lone in spite of Bearhead's protests.
. few days later the Blood chief arrived
a few of his kin, and another coun-
was held, composed of all the lead
lng men in the tribe. 1t gave the Blood
full power to disfgure his wife as he
About noon we heard the camp crier
shouting: Listen; listen to the words
Of the chief; you are all to assemble at
his lodge, there to witness the punish-
ment OF an unfaithful wife. All Women
especially, are required to be present. I
did not wish to see the cruel spectacle.
but went with Bearhead to prevent him
doing anything RASH. There was a
great crowd around the lodge, and pres
,ntly Many-White-H Horses came forth,
two of the latter leading Silver
Leaf etwee them. She was apparent
y as, calm as could be and looked around
,oldiy at the crowd until she saw Bear
lead by my side: then for an instant
smile Kit up her face.
Listen said the Blackfeet chief.
This woman, as o all know. has com.
nitted a great crime: mark well the
punishment, you wives especially. and
Zee that it does not fall to your lot some
lay to receive the same
THE men c. each side of Silver Leaf
low grasped her more firmly by the
rms. and another one coming up behind
'eized her head and held it firmly. Then
any-White-Horses a long. keen knife
n one hand took hold of her nose. and
With one clean, deliberate stroke, sliced
t off from the bridge to the lip. The
men loosened their hold and she sank to
he ground.
There said the Blood to the Turtle,
back your daughter and give me
ny horses
mo. no. Turtle shouted. Tt was a
air bargain. I will not give back the
Iorses: I will not take my daughter