The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-14
stayed untll. after a careful re-


proceeded to state your terms"
At this point in the narrative Colonel
Cummings stood still. Captain Oliver
advanced toward him a step and met
his eyes in curious, helpless way
at was queer" he continued. but
what Mr.. Matthews told them didn't
seem to scare them any"
ooh, it didntr' cried the colonel
angrily and once more began to pace
mo, they grinned at him and chat
tered together Then they rode away.
When dark came on, fearing treachery,
we left the grove for a sheltered place
farther down. Our scouts then set out
for the Indian village, going across the
river and far around to the right. On
their return they said that the Sioux
camp numbered several hundred wig
vans, while just above was a village
of dog soldiers.
THE night passed quietly. In the
morning a single brave came riding to-
ward US. He stopped beyond rifle
reach l sent the interpreter out. He
returned to say that the chief promised
him fair treatment if he would come
alone l took it that the camp was
anxious for q little entertainment and
that one white was to furnish it. /
didn't consider this second proposal
a minute. 1t was worse than foolish,
l thought But'-he looked toward
! the cot-'Mr. Matthews didn't agree
with me- He went. 1t was a magnif-
cent bit of courage, sir"
The colonel wheeled. by Jupiter"
he exclaimed You did that?"
Matthews smiled and crossed his legs
awkwardly. "Oh, 1t want nothin',"
he said, forbearing to glance up. Il
savvy Injuns, you know. II was
willin' to take the chances"
| Colonel Cummings looked down. Aft
er a moment and without changing the
! position of his body he turned his face
slowly In divers direction. The eyes
of the two officers met and flashed
messages of doubt.
When the commanding officer looked
at the interpreter again it was on his
! lips to say, But you were afraid to
enter the stockade with me-" He
checked himself, however and instead
reached for Matthews hand. 1T was
magnificent bit of courage" he
agreed Tell us what happened"
Matthews fingered the blanket on the
cot Il seen the chief he said, land
told him what you told me to tell him.
When 1 got it all out he says to me:
The white women amt here. They're
with the Wyomin' band, and the WyO-
min bands up in Canada. Now he
says, the band IL come south in the
spring SO tell Colonel Cummin's If
he do no hangin' I'll send the white
women home then"
A low groan came from behind the
stove Young Jameson came out, his
features distorted with grief and shin
Ing with tears. Think of it! Think
of it! Not till spring! Are they we'll?
How are they treating themY
"Oh, so So" said Matthews signifi-
cantly.
Young Jameson understood. He
went back to his seat, sobbing with
the hysterical weakness of a sick man.
He's bungled the business, colonelv'
he said bitterly. "Oh, God. if you had
only let me go"'
Yes, yes, my dear boy" answered
the other soothingly, but please re-
member that you couldn't have talked
with them. The conference would have
been carried on through Mr.. Matthews
just the same"
There was a silence, broken only by
Jamieson's weeping.
us that-all?" asked Colonel Cum
mings at last, addressing himself to
the interpreter.
Yes, sir"
Shortly afterward, when he was
gone the two officers left the library
for the reception room and discussed
the expedition in low tones.
Il have a feeling, colonel. that our
Interpreter wasn't fair in this thing
was Captain divers first confidence
They were standing at a front window
watching Matthews cross the parade
ground to the barber shop.
THE same thought occurred to me-
And yeti doesn't seem possible
"Oh, If Bond had only come sooner"
Bond. He here?'
While they were talking Matthew:
was losing his tow beard and mus
tache and a good length of hair Thi:
over and his supper eaten, he reappear
ed at headquarters and went witt
Colonel Cummings to the stockade.
Much 10 his chagrin he found the
evangelist there, ready to be presen
! n tho in +arviov1- With tho h0Sta COS I'm
the Indians understood his predicamen
and accepted the speech he made TO
the little 1t was worth. 1t was speecl
that, repeated by David Bond, Sc
Colonel Cummings last suspicion a
rest
Lounsbury arrived at Fort Branuol
the next day. appearing in time 70
hr.on LIZ 4 h fnIn b.