The Savannah morning news., 1903-05-17


blanketed Sioux warriors, muffied ~
the eyes. indistinguishable in the baIs
light, except as eagle-feathered sill
houettes. Greetings We're exchansa5
pipes filled, and grave silence fell
on the little group. The minutes nsss
ed, but no one moved. The atmos-
phere was dense with smoke. and stin
the parties watched each other-tba
whites with yelled eagerness, the In
dams with unsuspicious stolidity. Fin
ally the agent piled dry wood on tho
fire, and the blaze leaped up the CHM
ney. The heat became oppressive. So
after moment the warrior nearest
the fireplace threw back the blanket
from his shoulders. 1t was Rain-tn-
the-Face himself.
On this rather dramatic disclosure
one of the troopers uttered an excI..
nation. The Indian, always suspicious.
at once leaped back and cooked his
rifle; but before he could raise the niece
or pull the trigger, Col. Custer wound
MS arms around him from behind. The
other Indians rushed from the room.
The captive's hands were tied as rap
idly as possible, but by the time he
was brought to the door, the Indians
were were running angrily from all direc-
tions toward the building.
Capt. Yates had succeeded in intin-
idating the first corners by a show of
force, but he was soon outnumbered
and a struggle seemed imminent.
However, an old chieftain began to
declaim in the violent, high-pitched
monotone so much affected by Indian
orators. This delay afforded the SOL
der a much needed respite, but it tend
ed also to concerted action later. The
white man seized his opportunity.
Through the interpreter he called upon
the chiefs to stand forward for a par
ley
my brothers will hear me-" said the
interpreter for him, because it is
right, for they wear the Great Fathers
blankets and his food is in their bel
lies. This young warrior is brave and
his enemies are as the feeble wind to
him. But his eye became blinded. He
thought he saw before him the Paw
nees, the enemies of his people, but
they were old men of my race. He
killed those old men, and now the
Great Father would know why. He
must tell the Great Father of his blind
ness. Therefore, it is we'll that he
should go.
so restrain your young men and I
will restrain mine. 1t might be that
your young men would kill many of
mine; and it might be that my young
men would kill MANY of yours But
why kill them? 1t is useless, for first
of all, by my hand, this young war
rior would die"
AT the advance of the chiefs, the
Sioux warriors had suddenly, from the
widest confusion, Gained to the deep
est attention. They stood motionless
against the white background of the
snow, only their fierce eyes rolling from
the speaker to their own chiefs and
back again. One of the latter replied:
ut is not well to talk So" he said.
brusequely. 1.-THE words of my brother
are idle words and mean nothing. My
mon, I'D
few; yet shall your young men go IN
harmed if you give to us our war
rior."
He swept his blanket over his Shout
der with a sudden gesture, and scowled.
For answer Capt. Yates drew from its
holster his army revolver and present.
ed 1t at Rain-in- Faces breast. The
Sioux looked far away beyond the ho-
rizon, but his nostrils dilated.
1T is we'll" said the chief hastily,
for my brothers words are words of
wisdom. Take two warriors to the
Great Father, but leave us this young
man, that he may teach us that blind
ness is not wise"
In answer to his gesture two Indian
youths stepped forward, proud of the
distinction.
"See." went on the chief, these shall
go with your young men, and all will
be WE'LL"
Yates lowered his pistol, and turned.
Tell him. he said to the interpreter,
that this man goes with US. If I
see the muzzle of a rifle, I'll shoot him
dead,
The savages listened gravely. Their
first burst of rage had passed. and, as
always with their race, they were loath
to engage in stand-up fight in cold
blood. The Indian is brave enough,
but he likes to be brave in his own
w9V The chief fI1rno6 and xvauad biS
hand. Ten minutes later bands of saw
ages We're speeding swiftly away in all
directions, and the agency was entire
ly deserted.
The little command shortly after set
out on its return trip. Yates fully ex-
pected to be attacked before he re-
Joined his chief; but although many
savages were at various times visible,
hurrying by, the troops arrived at Fort.
Lincoln in due course, and Custer stood
face to face with his future slayer.
There is little need to repeat here
the details of Rain-in -the-Face's cap
tlYity. 1t is interesting, but not of the
story. He received visits from great
warriors representing various tribes of
the Sioux nation-Brule, Yanlton, Te-
ton, Ogallala-all uniting to honor him.
To the surprise of the few white spec
tators, these visitors kissed the young
captive on the cheek, a mark of respect
anu ALMOST uU0edrQ OF among
this savage people. Two of the young
er warriors asked and received per-
mission to share his captivity for a
time. Northumberland bore the i'm
prisonment we'll; was docile, friendly,
apparently happy. He had many talks
with Gen. Custer, and came to be we'll
liked.
But he had much leisure for thought,
and he was a proud man.
After some months, two white men,
grain thieves, were placed in the same
guard house. Being enterprising pion-
GERS, they promptly sawed a hole and
escaped. Rain-in- the-Face awaited him
self of the opening.
Once under the open sky, he adjusted
his moccasins and struck boldly across
the prairie for the West. Rain-in-the-
Face was no longer an agency Indian,
but a hostile.
Continued in Next Sundays News)