The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-06-12
A MINIATURE CHIEFTAIN.

derlng band OF Utes because he was
TOO sick 10 travel. Upon his recovery
he liked the life, and determined 10
cast his lot with the Pueblo tribe. A
council OF the governor and his twelve
sub-chlefs was held. be was received
into the tribe. and a small piece Of land
apportioned out 10 him. The Ute mar
ried a Pueblo maiden, and their first
son was named Agoya lStar)-the little
warrior mentioned at the beginning Of
this story.
! Agoya's first exploits had been with
a couple OF bear cubs that he used as
playfellows. and frequent were the
rough and tumble fights he had had
with them
When / went out 10 live with his
people. the young brave had passed
| his eighth winter, and was a straight,
manly little fellow. I noticed him
at once among the band OF small Pu.
eblo boys. as he was quite different
from them in build and looks. He had
all the characteristics OF the nomad or
rowing Indian. while his Pueblo play
mates We're like their own peace-loving
tribe. He was reserved and dignifed
with q quick temper. which he con-
trolled in a way quite beyond his
years, although sometimes 1t would
flare up. as = did one day when he
heard the click OF my camera as took
n snapshot at group OF boys among
whom he was standing. He had a
dread OF the camera, and Il made him
very angry We were TOO good friends
TO quarrel, but he felt he must punish
some one. so, like a flash. lie jumped
on the nearest boy, whom he sent roll
ing on the ground in no time. But.
with all his pride and temper. he was
generous boy.
My interest in him was no greater
than his In me, and we soon became
very good friends. He would follow
me on long tramps when 1 was out
with my gun. and he took great delight
in picking up the game. always stealing
up and planting one Of his tiny arrows
in the bird or beast and then rushing
in and seizing IL, in true warrior style.
Our hunts were silent, as neither un-
GarstoOd the others language; but he
comprehended every motion I made,
and there was a bond of sympathy be-
tween us-the love of nature-that
made our trips very pleasant. This
small brave had a knowledge of ma
ture that would put TO shame most
civilized boys of twice his years. Many
times he took the lead. and seldom
failed to find what he was after.
Sometimes We would take our ponies
across the river and ride up into the
canyons. spending the day wandering
about the little parks, or climbing TO
the almost inaccessible prehistoric
stone villages on top of the mesas,
there to hunt for stone arrow-tips,
axes and other remains OF the old
Pueblos. His eyes were very keen,
and many We're the additions he made
to my collection. All the time the spirit
of the hunter was uppermost in him;
no animal was too small to attract his
attention, and then the craft OF his
hunting ancestors would come forth.
He would glide upon the game with
the stealth of n cat, and more than
bird or little cottontail ted TO his belt.
The little Ute was n leading spirit
among the more docile Pueblo boys,
whom he ruled like n little chief, and
many Were the forays he led against
stray dogs from another village. Even
in the adult dances his small figure,
dressed in regular dance costume,
would be seen bobbing UP and down in
perfect time 10 the beat of drum.
During the hot, dry summer weather
the people slept on their roofs. and
with the first streak of light In the east
the Pueblo was astlr. Down in the
plaza. the children would be playing
at their various games, many of them
with little brothers or sisters strapped
TO their backs. Among them. leading
in some heroic sport l wouid,always
see my miniature chieftain.
one evening. as the shadows length.
ened and the wind subsided. l went
around behind a sandstone butte that
stood up from the plain like an old
castle. and climbed on top. where /
could. unobserved. watch the maneu-
vers of these miniature warriors. Up
on reaching the summit l saw the band
sneaking along through the sage-brush,
crouching, and keeping sharp look
out for an imaginary enemy. In the
lead was Agoya. He made a motion
with his hand. and the boys disap-
peared like a flock OF young quail.
Presently l saw the little Ute crawl
cautiously through the sage. stop.
gaze intently at some object lying In
bunch of grass. and crawl back 10 his
comrades Soon the little dark figures
surrounded the enemy. COWS drawn,
miniature spears and tomahawks In
readiness. Suddenly there were shrll
war-whoops and yells. A big dog.
rushing out. made for his own village
yelping at every jump. He had come
to forage upon the enemy's camp. but
Agoya and his band soon drove him OF.
Ii was a glorious victory for the war
riors. and all without the loss of a
Dan.
Such a victory had 10 be. celebrated.
and soon they were In the midst or
scalp-dance in exact imitation OF their
elders. with bunches OF long grass TO
initiate scalps. tied TO sticks and car.
ried by several OF their number. while
the others danced about them. In
short time they were Of again. and
the last | saw OF the valiant leader
md his band. they were having 4 great
buffalo hunt. as they had surrounded
-, -id hiaa.haJ iuNsfa stttii which