Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1904-08-05
How He Carried
The Message


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
sutler.
Major" said the officer, there's not
a 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 to make
himself understood by them
"Stlefel. Are we soldiers to rely fo1
a hazardous duty on citizen-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 a good many ways of making a
living | might as we'll try carrying
messages"
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 800"
When the major had recovered from
his surprise he agreed to pay the 500
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 journey of twenty miles,
which he was confident he could ac-
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 walking stick. Stiefel told
them that there were more ways than
one of doing things. and if he got
through 1t would be by entirely differ
ent means from those usually resorted
to.
The sutler walked for the first ten
or fifteen miles through a wood, from
which he emerged at the summit of a
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 a party
of Indians at the foot of the hill look
ing up at him. They had just observed
him and moment later spurred theiI
| ponies toward him.
Stiefel stood like a statue looking
out on the plain, and 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 heaC
and made a salaam to the sun, that a
the time stood directly over the fort
The Indians paused, but soon advanced
again. Stiefel stopped, picked up {
couple Of stones at his feet and rubbed
them together muttering the while
They burst into flame
Again the Indians paused, this tim
in wonder, and Suefel could hear tn
Indian words for medicine man re
peated from mouth to mouth. Some o
them were turning as from a supernat
ural being that might strike then
down by enchantment, but one, evI
IDENTITY their leader, called them back
Again they came on, and as Stiefel di
did not make any movement in defens
they did not even raise their weapons
Just before they reached him Stiefe
drew a circle about him with his cane
from the end of which as ii touche
the ground came fire and smoke, whic
sputtered and fumed till the circle wa
complete. Then when lifted from til
ground it was again but a stick.
Most of the Indians hid their face
on their ponies necks; some started [
fee; all showed evidence of terror Tn
chief alone maintained his ground.
Then Stiefel began to make friendl
signs to them, asking If they needle
4 food. Without waiting for reply h
+ stepped up to one of the horses an
from his belly drew forth a CHECKER
: from another eggs and from third
double handful of coffee in the beal
: While this increased the superstition
n wonder of the Indians, 1t caused thel
to look with more favor upon this VOL
derful medicine man, the like of who
they had never seen. Stiefel gave the
the eatables, then marched past the
dON IL lllt mn II dS lIOl lOllS NV
ever, before he heard them comm
Turning, he saw the chief in advanc
the rest tagging. Drawing his stick
half circle before him, it spat fl
Il as before, and the Indians stood sti
Stiefel pointed to the chief contempt
n ously and used the Indian words f.
y chicken heart. Then advancing
q thrust his hand under the chiefs ar
Il and pulled out heart which all cou
see was that of chicken. Instant
q the chief covered, and the rest begi
n to upbraid him. Stefel turned and wal
ed slowly away. Once only again
n heard them coming. Turning, he tos
ed white ball the size of boys ma
n BILE among them. 1t exploded and sea
tered them in every direction. Stef
Y was not further molested and with
fvUO boIlrS 1aliVprad his Inasso0a