Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-05-05
DAILY SHORT STORY
How He Carried the Message.
TOriginal.l

w 10 SIdli 20, Ill., OI . w L nav < hOhC
but recruits who know no more about
steering through Indians than the nav
igatiOn of the air.
Look them over. select the best man
you can find and send him TO me"
The captain departed and in half an
hour returned with Stiefel, the post
suffer
Major" said the officer, there's not
man at the post who will volunteer to
take your message except Stiefel. He
has one qualification-he has been an
Indian trader and knows how 10 make
himself understood by them
"Stiefel, are we soldiers to rely for
Il hazardous duty on a citi-en-a suit
ler?''
I'm not going to fight 'em. major"
said Stiefel. IN try TO get through
in a different way. I've tried my hand
at Il good many ways of making q
living. | might as we'll try carrying
MESA ges.''
The major looked at the man in as
constituent. You mean that you
would risk almost certain death for
money!"
I'll take your message for $780,"
When the major had recovered from
his surprise he agreed to pay the 800
and signed a contract to that effect.
He further stated verbally that if Site
fel was successful the amount should
be doubled and he should be given the
most valuable post in the department
wherein to sell his goods.
The next morning the sutler started
out to make Il journey of twenty miles,
l., !. -
complish before evening if not handi-
capped. His departure was watched
by all at the fort, who wondered that
he went by day and without any weap-
on except a walking stick. Stiefel told
them that there were more ways than
| one of doing things, and If he got
through it would be by entirely differ
! ent means from those usually reSorted
| to.
The Sutler walked for the first ten
| or fifteen miles through wood, from
which he emerged at the summit of n
| hill where he could plainly see Fort
| Wilson, with the stars and stripes float
| ing above it. He was cOngratulating
! himself that he would get through
| without trouble when he saw 4 party
| of Indians at the foot of the hill look
ing up at him. They had just observed
| him and moment later spurred their
| ponies toward him.
Sticfel stood like u statue looking
| out on the plain, ana as the Indians
| approached appeared not to observe
| them, though they were directly before
| and beneath him. When they came
| near he put his hands above his head
and made Il salaam TO the sun. that at
the time stood directly over the fort.
The Indians paused. but soon advanced
again. Suefel stopped. picked UP Il
couple of stones at his feet and rubbed
them together, muttering the while.
| They burst into Il flame.
Again the Indians paused. this time
in wonder, and Stiefel could hear the
Indian words for medicine man re-
peated from mouth to mouth. Some of
them were turning as from a supernat-
| ural being that might strike them
down by enchantment, but one, evil
| IDENTIFY their leader, called them back.
Again they came on, and as Stiefe did
| did not make any movement in defense
| they did not even raise their weapons.
Just before they reached him Stiefel
drew a circle about him with his cane,
from the end of which as 1t touched
the ground came fire and smoke. which
| sputtered and fumed till the circle was
complete. Then when lifted from the
| ground it was again but Il stick.
Most of the Indians hid their faces
on their ponies necks; some started 10
fee; all showed evidence of terror. The
chief alone maintained his ground.
| Then Stiefel began to make friendly
signs to them, asking if they needed
| food. Without waiting for n reply he
stepped up to one of the horses and
from his belly drew forth chicken,
from another eggs and from n third
double handful of coffee in the bean.
| While this increased the superstitiouS
| wonder of the Indians, il caused them
to look with more favor upon this won
| derful medicine man, the like of whom
they had never seen. Stiefel gave them
the eatables, then marched past them
down the hill. 1t was not long. how
| ever. before he heard them coming.
Turning, he saw the chief in advance.
the rest tagging. Drawing his stick in
| a half circle before him. il Spat fire
as before. and the Indians stood still.
| Stiefel pointed to the chief contcmptu-
OuSly and used the Indlan words TOT
chicken heart. Then advancing lie
thrust his hand under the chiefs arm
and pulled out a heart which all could
see was that of a chicken. Instantly
the chief covered. and the rest began
to upbraid him. StiefeI turned and walk
ed slowly away. Once only again he
heard them coming. Turning. he toss
ed i white ball the size of boys mar
BILE among them. 1t exploded and scat
tered them in every direction. Stiefel
was not further moleSted and within
two hours delivered his message.
Soon after his arrival ct the fort a
wagon train loaded with provisions and
escorted by n troop of cavalry started
to relieve the impoverished garrison
Stiefel went with them and when he
| bad tod his story received his reward.