Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-12-23


Ies7SzTNI sliding panel of the stockade.
a@z Thirty poles, their tops lash
ed together so as to leave a smoke
hole, their bases spread to form a gen.
erous circle, supported a covering of
tanned buffalo hides scanned with
buckskin thongs. Here, barely an
hour after Matthews arrival at Fort
Brannon, Squaw Charley entered has
tily and thrust some red Goals under
a stick pile at the center of the lodge.
And at once, by the Pickering light of
his fire, the warriors of the band en-
tered the low entrance and seated
themselves in a semicircle.
When Colonel Cummings learned
that an interpreter had been found he
promptly ordered the completion of
preparations for the Jameson expedi-
ton and the calling of council, un-
satisfactory but necessary. The red
skins Jailed in the stockade must know
both the object of the trip and his
terms, so that they, realizing their per-
IL, would reveal the whereabouts of the
winter camp of the hostiles.
His interview with Matthews threat
ened change in his plans. The lat
ter, having listened to the story of the
captured women and to the scheme for
their rescue, astonished the command
ing officer by declining absolutely to
take the proposed journey.
I'D like t be obligin'." he said, "but
l can't go. l didn't know there was
goin' t be any travelin' There's bust
ness thatn keep me here"
why, man." cried the colonel, "I've
made you a good offerv'
Il amt a-sayin' y didn't" was the
curt answer
Colonel Cummings knew to what
business" he referred, but realized
that a discussion of it would not aid
In bringing the desired consent. He
pretended to guess at reasons for the
refusal.
There's scarcely a possibility of
trouble during the Journey" he said.
Indians don't like to fight In the
| snow, especially when their families
are with them and their war ponies
are feeding on cottonwood bark. Be
I SAASo, NIGA4 Ilttlu CllICI VII NC oldIIJ
enough to see that he'll have to treat
and not fight if he wants to save the
necks Of his favorites. Then. as far as
the safety and comfort of my men are
concerned, everything is being done
Better reconsider. Matthews"
cant do it,
Colonel Cummings left his library,
where he had been talking, and sought
Lounsbury's advice. The two held a
short whispered conversation in the
entry.
Let me have few words with him, 80
said the storekeepeT. Matthews balk-
ing was not altogether a surprise
Nevertheless it was a keen disappoint-
ment. He had hoped to be able to
send Squaw Charley across the river
soon with good news. Let me see
him. Maybe / can bring him around 8"
They entered the library.
Matthews" began Lounsbury, you
might as well go along If you stay
you can't get a hold o that claim. 3"
He looked at the colonels clock. It's
midnight. Your six months are up.
II you did have a chance it's gone
Possession s nine points in law, and
Lancaster S up at Bismarck mailing
the tenth"
If the storekeeper's blunt assertions
were of any particular interest to the
other he failed to show It, He occu-
pied himself with finding a cigar. CUT
ting it carefully and lighting it at the
stove. Then he turned about to Colo
mel Cummings, his glance as 1t trav-
| eled utterly ignoring Lounsbury.
mot to mention the risks you run
with the boys" added the storekeeper
easily, amused by the play of indiffer-
enee.