The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-02-23

emissaries would give to the latter any
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-
mentan letter of the troop, showed on
every cavalry mount in the service,
and the Ogaiiallas knew the ear-marks
of two, at least, of our cavalry regi-
ments in '6s as we'll as they did the cut
of their own hair. Eut 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,
and have for him some distinguishing
name of their own. but many a 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 a model sergeant
of Yankee cavalry, was already q
marked man in the eyes of the south
ern Sioux. Brule, Minneconjou and
Ogallalla knew him well - his aquiline
beak, to which the men would some
times slyly a!lnd". having won him the
Indian appellatiye of Posh Kopee or
Big Nose.
Before the two parties came with
in fifty yards of each other, therefore,
watchers along the ravne saw the
quick exchange of significant glances
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 tc nihble 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.) "Want 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. then" and Bruce
touched his own. Give" and he threw
forward the outspread right hand
rapidly touching in succession the
thumb and four fingers. eve give both
hands full-coffee. sugar, hardtaclS,'
and Bruce illustrated as he spoke
"rhats ALL" he finished abruptly
with the well-known Indian sign that
plainly tells 81 have spolen-there is
nothing more to say" then calmly
turned his back. and bidding Conroy
follow, started to return to his com.
rades Mt the ravinc.
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 We're nearly dozen in the
party, all OF shod horses, with two in
lcad--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 ronl to the Big Horn posts
hWhy 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 tt
needed no excuse. There was some
thing behind this mysterious pres
ence of ten or twelve soldiers in the
southern foothills, and Machpealots
would expect of his scouts full in
formation, hence the instant move
ment on part of one of the two braves
to follow.
Impressively, Bruce turned AGAR
and waved him back. $50, get buf
falo tongue" said he. cor no trade
Keep away from our tepees." and hi
drew with his spurred boot-heel {
jagged line across the turf "Youl
side" said he. indicating the slope tt
the southeast of the line. "This-
ours. That's ALL" And this time the
Indian knew he must come no nearer
give got 'em talking trade, lieu
tenant" reported Bruce. the instant hi
reached Deans side. "We don't neet
the tongues, but we've got more cot
fee and sugar than we are apt tt
want, and at least we can keep then
interested until dark. when we car
slip away. OF course. they've sent
word to their main body that We're
over here, but / believe they cant
come in force before night"
"They knew you, sergeant, and they
knew it is probably our troop" sale
he. "There must be only small par
ty near us. Make your trade. but
while you're doing it we'll saddle
mean to get out of this and into the
thick of the timber before they car
surround us. Stand 'em off now, while
we get ready"
Promises must be kept when made
to an Indian, even if they are otherwis.
sometimes broken. In ten minutes
} with coffee, sugar and bareback in theil
} were back ut the front. One bray,
was still there, the other had vanished
Five minutes, neither party saying ;
word, the troopers waited; then Bruc,
turned to Conroy. 81 knew they hat
nothing to trade. Take this sack will