The daily Alaskan., 1905-02-15
How He Carried MA. The Message
[original.l
S1SG.-

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 starved out"
 "who shall go, majori We have none 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 sutler.
 Major" said the officer, there's not man at the post who will volunteer to take your message except Stiefel. He has one QuallficatlOn-he has been an Indian trader and knows how to make himself understood by them"
 "Stiefel! Are we soldiers to rely for a hazardous duty on a citizen-a sut- ler?"
 I'm not going to fight 'em, major" said Stiefel. "I'll try to get through in a different way. I've tried my hand at a good many ways of making a living. l might as we'll try carrying messages"
 The major looked at the man in as- tonishment. You mean that you would risk almost certain death for money"
 "Tn take your message for S100"
 When the major had recovered from his surprise he agreed to pay the S1OO 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 a Journey of twenty miles, which he was confident he could ac- compllSh 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. Stiefcl 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 a wood, from which he emerged at the summit of hill where he could plainly see Fort Wilson, with the stars and stripes float ing above it. He was cOngratulaung himself that he would get through without trouble when he saw party of Indians nt the foot of the hill look ing up at him. They had just observed him and q moment later spurred their ponies toward him.
 Sdefel 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 head and made salaam to the sun, that at the time stood directly over the fort. The Indians paused. but soon advanced again. Stiefel stopped, picked up a couple of stones.at his feet and rubbed them together, muttering the while 1ut,l UuISA lulb n hdnlCs
 Again the Indians paused, this time in wonder, and Sdefel could hear the Indian words for medicine man re- peated from mouth to mouth. Some of them were turning as from supernat- ural being that might strike them down by enchantment, but one, evi. dently their leader, called them back. Again they came on, and as Stiefel 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 it touched the ground came fire and smoke, which sputtered and fumed till the circle was complete. Then when lifted from the ground 1t was again but a stick.
 Most of the Indians hid their faces on their ponies necks; some started to flee; 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 a reply he stepped up to one of the horses and from his belly drew forth q chicken, from another eggs and from third a double handful of coffee il the bean. While this increased the supersdtious wonder of the Indians, 1t 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. It 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, 1t spat fire as before, and the Indians stood still. Stiefel pointed to the chief contemptu- ously and used the Indian words for chicken heart. Then advancing he 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. Stlefel turned and walk ed slowly away. Once only again he heard them coming. Turning, he toss ed a white ball the size of boys mar ble among them. It exploded and scat Iered them in every direction. Suefel was not further molested and within :wO hours delivered his message.
 Soon after his arrival at the fort a wagon train loaded with provisions and