Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-02-13

clew as to the troop or regiment to
which they belonged. Could they see
the horses, however. the matter would
be settled at once. The U. S. brand.
with that of the number of the regi-
ment and letter of the troop, showed on
every cavalry mount in the service.
and the Ogallallas knew the ear-marks
of two, at least, of our cavalry regi-
ments in '6s as well as they did the cut
OF their own hair. But in the modesty
OF the non-commissioned officer Bruce
had moderated his own prominence in
Indian eyes. Not only did these keen
observers know every officer by sight,
ana nave for him some distinguishing
name OF their own, but many trooper,
easily singled out from his fellows be-
cause of his stature, or the color of his
hair, or some physical popularity, was
as well known as his captain or lieuten-
ant, and Bruce, ex-trooper of the
Scots greys, and now model sergeant
of Yankee cavalry, was already a
marked man in the eyes of the south
ern Sioux. Brule, Minneconiou and
Ogallalla knew him we'll - his aquiline
beak, to which the men would some
times slyly allude, having won him the
indian appellative of Posh Kopee or
Big Nose.
Before the two parties came with
in fifty yards of each other, therefore,
watchers along the ravine saw the
quick exchange of significant chances
between the young braves. '"Twig
that?" whispered Trooper Blaine, in
low, emphatic tone. 'Those fellows
know 'Scotty' just as we'll as we
do"
All the same, leaving their trained
ponies to nibble at the scanty bunch
grass, the two came straight forward
with extended hands and cordial
How, colah!" on their lips, one of
them adding in agency English:
want talk chief. Indian poor. Heap
SICK" (And here he clasped his stom-
ach with both hands.) "NNant coffee,
sugar. bread"
"All right" said Bruce promptly,
noting the while how the rowing
black eyes searched the edge of the
ravine. "Stay here. Don't come
nearer. You got buffalo meat? ''
A grunt was the reply of one, a
cultural Buffalo, yes" the answer of
the other.
Bring tongues, them" and Bruce
touched his own. ''Five," and he threw
forward the outspread right hand,
rapidly touching in succession the
thumb and four fingers. "We give both
hands full-coffee, sugar, hardtack,"
and Bruce illustrated as he spoke.
"That's ALL" he finished abruptly,
with the well-known Indian sign that
plainly tells II have spoken-there is
nothing more to say" then calmly
turned his back, and, bidding Conroy
follow, started to return to his COM
rades at the ravine.
But Indian diplomacy was unsatis-
fed. The Sioux had found big Nose"
to be one of the soldiers in the field.
He, at least, was of the hated troop
that fought and chased Burning Star
and killed Chaska. The trail told
them there were nearly a dozen in the
party, all or shod horses, with two in
lead-spare mounts or pack-horses,
doubtless-so they had extra rations
and had come far; but why were
they going this way, so far west of
the usual road to the Big Horn posts?
Why were they so few in number?
Where were the rest? Why were they
hiding here in the ravine, instead of
marching? Answer to this last ques-
ton was easy enough. 1t was to
keep out of sight of Indian eyes, and
needed no excuse. There was some
thing behind this mysterious pres
ence of ten or twelve soldiers in the
southern foothills, and Machpealota
would expect of his scouts full in
rmation, hence the instant move
ment on part of one of the two braves
to follow
Impressively, Bruce turned again
and waved him back. $50, get buff
falo tongue said he, cor no trade.
Keep away from our tepees," and he
drew with his spurred boot-heel a
jagged line across the turf. "Your
side," said he, indicating the slope to
the southeast of the line. ''This-
ours. That's ALL" And this time the
Indian knew he must come no nearer.
"I've got 'em talking trade, lieu
tenant" reported Bruce, the instant he
reached Deans side. eve don't need
the tongues, but we've got more cof-
fee and sugar than we are apt to
want, and at least we can keep them
interested until dark, when we can
slip away. Of course, they've sent
word to their main body that we're
over here, but I believe they can't
come in force before night
"They knew you, sergeant, and they
knew it is probably our troop" said
he. ''There must be only small par
ty near us. Make your trade, but
while you're doing it we'll saddle. I
mean to get out of this and into the
thick of the timber before they can
surround us. Stand 'em off now, while
we get ready"
Promises must be kept when made
to an Indian, even if they are otherwise
sometimes broken. In ten minutes,
with coffee, sugar and bareback in their
hands, the sergeant and his comrades
were back at the front. One brave
was still there, the other had vanished.
Five minutes, neither party saying a
word, the troopers waited; then Bruce
turned to Conroy. Il knew they had
nothing to trade. Take this sack with
you and fall back. Tell our fellows
to keep me we'll covered till follow"
The instant the soldier started with the