Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-03-14


ity to myself. I sometimes feel as if
the great purpose of my life is at
length to be accomplished; yet there
seems to be some gloomy shadow i'm
pending over all. Do you believe in
presentiments, MabeI?"
81 scarcely know whether I do or
not. Sometimes they seem to be oc-
casioned by ones physical condition
If am in eXuberant health and spir-
its have delicious day dreams, but if
I am dyspeptic, and consequently de-
spondent, I am afflicted with dark
presentiments, which are never real
lied. Yet there are, doubtless, cases
in which coming events cast their
shadows before"
81 think mine is one of those cases.
said Joe, earnestly, and lapsed into
thoughtful silence.
Having rested his allotted time, Joe
set out upon his return trip. About
the middle of the afternoon, while
passing through a dangerous defile,
overhung with a thick growth of
bushes, he was suddenly surrounded
by large party of Arapaho braves,
and though he fought desperately and
managed to kill two of them, they
overpowered him, and, having bound
him upon one of his own horses,
started for the village. They did not
reach it until next day, and meantime
Joe was closely watched, so that he
had no opportunity to escape. On ar
irving in camp he was delivered to the
chief who ordered him to be bound
to a tree, and assembled a council
of braves to decide his fate.
While the warriors sat in grave de-
liberation, the squaws and children
amused themselves by insulting the
helpless prisoner, who bore their an
noyances and prosecutions with be-
coming fortitude. At length squaw
approached, and she seemed to Joe
as being quite different from the rest.
She was much better dressed, cleaner
looking, and lighter in complexion,
though her face was dabbed with
the usual red and yellow paint.
She scowled angrily at the prisoner,
hurled some sticks and pebbles at
him, and objurgated him with the
choicest Indian eXpletives; but what
was his establishment to hear her, in
the midst of her violent TRADE, adj
dress him by name. Then she jerked
out in broken sentences mixed with
Indian, like this:
s'Be careful-don't look surprised
curse me-spit at me-do anything to
deceive these creatures-your safety
and mine depend on it-scowl and
look angry when you speak to me-
L am Mile Stacey. Be careful, and
we will both get free"
1t required all Joe's self command
To ho
tons, and avoid betraying them both,
but he succeeded. AS she left and re-
turned to him from time to time,
she gradually Informed him of the
decision of the warriors concerning
his case, which was that he should be
tortured as soon as a scouting party,
then absent, returned, and also of her
plans of escape.
When the camp was wrapped in
slumber and darkness, Nfillie cautious
ly approached, cut the thongs where
with Joe was bound, led him swiftly
and silently to where his own two
| horses stood waiting for them, and in
| a moment they were mounted and
| away. Mile carried a suspicious
looking bundle, and Joe asked her
what is was.
That's my baby, Joe; you wouldn't
have me leave that behind, would
you?"
There was no time to discuss the
question, for the camp was aroused,
| and with whoops and yells the In
dams were preparing to pursue. Joe
had no weapons, and they must out
ride the savages or be lost; but their
horses were much superior in fleet
| ness to the ponies of the Indians, and
| once out of bullet range they were
safe. But before they could accom-
plish this, volley was fired. Mile
| uttered a cry of pain, and her child,
| too, screamed as if it had been hit;
but she bore up bravely and rejoiced
that Joe had escaped unhurt. Like
| the wind they fed across the open
plain, until the sounds of pursuing
hoofs were no longer heard behind
them, when Joe drew rein and in
| quired into Miles condition.
81 fear I am badly hurt" she said In
weak voice, ''and baby is so quiet
I think he must be dead. May be
that would be better for your sake,
| Joe-but loved the little fellow, for
I am his mother. I had to marry
| White Wolf or die, and L wanted to
live. You don't blame me, Joe?" she
| asked in a piteous, pleading tone.
81 can't blame you, Millie,' he said
tenderly.
| But there seemed to be a weight at
| his heart as he uttered the words.
The hoof beats were again heard
| in the distance, and Mile reused her.
self for another effort. But it was her
| last. When again they paused for a