Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-12
indian as a warrior.

The elder man approached the silent, shrinking figure not unkindly. Ana what do you want me to do for him, RobertT he asked.
 Lieutenant Fraser sprang forward eagerly, his face shining Hes so quiet and willing, sir--so ready t@ do anything he's told, I'd be grateful 1T you thought you could trust him out side the stockade. He could get Ine odds and ends from the bachelors mess."
 "Ill be hanged, Robert" cried his superior annoyed. 'Most men, just out of West Point, have an eye to killing redskins, not coddling 'em."
 The other crimsoned. "I'm sorry you look at it that way, colonel" he said. 'I'm ready to punish or kill in the case of bad ones. But-you'll par don my saying it--I don't see that it's the duty of an officer to harm good one."
 Squaw Charley raised his head and shifted timidly from foot to foot.
 "Well, Robert" said Colonel Cum mings quietly. you still have the east ern view of the Indian question. HOW ever, let me ask you this: Has this man story, and what is it? For all you know, he may deserve being banged around.'"
 Lieutenant Fraser was shaking his head in answer when swift came one from the pariah. He searched in his bosom, under the tattered waist, drew out the rag bound paper and handed it to the commanding officer.
 Very carefully the latter read 1t, his interest growing with every line. Finally, giving 1t over to the lieuten- ant, he smiled at Squaw Charley.
 That tells the tale," he said. "I knew the man that wrote that when was with Sibley in Minnesota, the summer after the massacre. He's man that writes the truth. He talks the truth, too, and wish I had him here now, so that he could interpret for me-" .-.
 "Why, sir," exclaimed the younger men, lit says this chap knows Eng lishr
 By all the gods! Of course 1t does. Robert I'll make him my interpreter The colonel strode up and down in his excitement, pausing only to contend with the other for the paper. Red Moon," he said at last, motioning the pariah forward, do you know what am saying to you!'
 Squaw Charley nodded. >....
 Good, good! This is fortunate. Now we can have a talk with these Sioux" He addressed the Indian again. And you speak English?' he asked.
 There was a second grave nod.
 You shall be my interpreter, Red Moon. You shall have a log house near the scouts, and the great father at Washington will pay you. You shall have double rations for yourself and your squaw, and more if you have papooses. What do you say to that?"
 Squaw Charley had not taken his eyes from the others face for an in- stant while he was talking. Now, for answer, he shook his head slowly and sadly from side to side.
 Don't want to?" cried the colonel.
 "I'll tell you, sir" interposed Lieu- tenant Fraser, studying the paper. "I don't. believe he ever speaks. You'll notice that it says here, but he has never I can't be sure, but think the next word is spoken
 "Vow of silence"
 Something of the kind. Captain Oliver has been telling me about these bucks that are degraded, and l don't believe that, even if this fellow spoke, the rest of the tribe would treat with us through him."
 That's probably true" They've made squaw of him, sir"
 Deep humiliation instantly showed in the pariah's eyes and posture. He looked at Lieutenant Fraser imploring- ly and drew his blanket still more closely about him. Then, as with sign he was bidden to put 1t off, he suddenly let it drop to the floor.
 Great Scottw cried the colonel. 'He's dressed like one"
 His punishment, sir. And he won't be taken back as a warrior till he does some big deed"
 'What does that paper say again?! Out of the weakness of the flesh he wept under the tortures of the sun dance So that's the cause of his trou-, ble! What did they do to you, RedI MoonY
 To reply Squaw Charley quickly d. vested himself of the calico waist and turned about. And Colonel Cummings, uttering his horror. traced with tender finger the ragged, ghastly seams that lined the pariah's back.
 Muscles torn loose" he said. "Not old wounds either" As Squaw Char ley resumed waist and blanket he look cd on pityingly.
 'I1l give him his freedom" be said when the outcast stood ready to de- part. He can come and go in the post as he likes. Robert, see that the ad- jutant understands my order. Now let him get something to eat in the kitchen"
 When squaw Charley's hunger had disappeared before the enforced and rather nervous generosity of Colonel Cummings black cook and Lieutenant Fraser had left him he hurried away from headquarters. Making his way to the sentry line north of Brannon, he gathered Arewood along the Missouri 11uffi dart