Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-23
CHAPTER NH.


hole. their bases spread to form Il gen
erouS circle supported covering of
tanned buffalo hides scanned with
buckskiu thongs. Here, barely an
hour after Matthews arrival Mt Fort
Brannon, SquGw Charley entered has
tily and thrust some red Goals under
a stick pile at the center of the lodge
And ut once by the pickering light of
his fire, the warriors of the band en-
tered the low entrance and seated
themselves in semicircIe
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, I'M
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 hosti!cs.
Ills 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'," lie said. but
! can't go. didn't know there was
goin' t he any travelim. There's bust
ness thatlI keep me here"
why, man." cried the colonel. 1--WE
made you good ofrer!'
Il amt a-sayin' Y didn't" was the
curt answer.
Colonel Cummings knew to what
business" he referred. but realized
that discussion of it would not aid
in bringing the desired consent He
pretended to guess at reasons for the
refusal.
There's scarcely possibility of
trouble during the, journey" he said
Indians don't like to fight. in the
snow, especially when their families
are with them ana their war ponies
are feeding on cottonwood bark. Be-
sides. their head chief viii lie sharp
enough to see that he'll have to treat
and not fight if he wants to save the
neckS of his favoritcs Then. as far us
the safety and comfort of my men are
concerned. everything IS being done.
Better reconsider. Matthew'S"
"Cau't do it, -''
Colonel Cummings left. his library.
where he had been talking and sought
Lounsbury's advice. The two held u
short whispered conversation in the
entry.
Let me have few words with him."
said the Storckccpcr. Matthews balk-
ing was not altogether & surprise
Nevertheless it was Il keen disappoint-
ment. He had hoped to lie able to
send Squaw Charley across the river
soon with good news Let me see
him. Maybe I can bring him around"
They entered the library.
"Matthews," began Lounsbury. you
might as well go along. If you stay
you can't get Il hold O that claim"
lie looked at the coloners clock. It's
midnight. Your six months are up.
If you did have a chance it's gone
Possession S nine points in law. and
Lancaster IS up at Bismarck mailing
the tenth"
If the storekecper's blunt assertions
were of any particular interest to the
pied himself with finding cigar. cut
ting it carefully and lighting it ut the
stove. Then he turned about to Colo
mel Cummings, his glance as it trav-
/ cled utterly ignoring Lounsbury.
Not to mention the risks you run
with the boys" added the storekeeper
easily. amused by the play of indiffer-
ence.
"Oh, guess Shanty Town can take
keer of itself" observed Matthews.
sending up smoke rings.
Lounsbury walked out
There was but one thing left for
Colonel Cummings to do: Ask this man
to interpret in the medicine lodge, that
at least the Indians might learn their
position. Knowing it. they might be
prevailed upon to select one of their
own number to accompany the expedi,
ton and repeat the terms. The com.
manding officer, rather provoked al
Lounsbury, who, he thought. had
harmed and not helped his cause. i'm.
mediateiy suggested this course to
Matthews.
81 can parleyvoo for you there. all
right" agreed Matthews patronizingly
B But how you goin'?"
"You and alone"
Matthews stared. Garry any gunSY
he asked.
Not when l go into the stockade
The Indians are without weapons
And / like to show them that l trus
them"
The other laughed. "YOu go t. tel
some redskins that they s goin' t b.
strung up and y don't take no gun
Well not for me. colonelr'
''Then We'll have a guard"
80. X. I'm with you"
A scout who understood the sig
language was dispatched to the stock
ade. And by the time the braves wer
settled down before the blaze Colone
Cummings, Matthews and detail o
armed men We're before the apertur
Of the medicine lodge.
Tho coldiprs waifpl outside the hi