The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-11

up. 1t was Lame Foot. by the Plow
WomanY be asked
by her father. | shall stay until
that land is mine again. One of you
must ask your chief that he give up
the paleface squaws."
Canada John answered him. "A
brave can but take the words Of the
white chief. That is not well. One of
double tongue must 60"
"The white chief has but one" said
Matthews and tapped his own chest.
A silence followed.
"The journey begins when the sun Is
little" he added and sat down
"Will not the white chief wait until
spring." asked Lame Foot, whose
guile made up for his physical defect.
The others studied Colonel Cum
mfngs' face as the question was put
to him. They saw the purpose-post-
ponement, which might bring freedom
for them and also a retention of the
captive women.
The coloners answer did not need in
terpreting. 'Nor he said and struck
his knees with his open palms.
why should two squaws natter"
asked Shoot-at-the-Tree Are there
not many everywhere? We will give
the white chief some Of our ponies"
.'Your ponies foated, belly up, down
the river moons ago" said Matthews.
Twenty pairs Of eyes sparlIled with
hate That was news indeed.
Lame Foot spoke again. There was
q mathematical phase of the terms
which troubled him. "Why should
four die for two?" he demanded.
among the whites has a squaw the
value of two soldiers? p
Matthews answered gravely that it
was So The brave snorted contemp-
tuously.
Canada John shook his head. THUS
comes much evil because we shot the
pinto buffalo"
At that point the hoof sheaths that
| trimmed a rope near the entrance rat
tied. The semicircle craned their
| necks. A plump hand was pulling
aside the flap of the lodge. Then
/ through the low aperture and into the
light of the fire stepped an Indian
woman She flung back n head shawl
and faced red man and white. 4
murmur came from the braves. It
was Brown Mink
As with the men of the band. plenti-
full food and no exercise had worked
wonders with her. She was less slen-
der and more solid than formerly Her
full cheeks shone like the bullying
sides of a copper kettle. But her spirit
was little changed She waited no in
/ vitation to speak. She paused for no
words II her earnestness she leaned
forward a little.
Brown Mink is young" she said
"she is but an unfedged crane walk
ing in strange waters But she speaks
with the voice Of her father your
mighty chief that was. Canada John
talks straight One Of a double tongue
must go The white chief is very angry.
so that he plucks the hairs from his
hands The squaws must be brought
back or four braves will be chol,ed by
smooth? Only the Double Tongue.
Promise him much-promise to help
him drive the thief from his land"
Matthews Strengthened up.
She put out one arm and measured
small length upon it. when our
warriors come thus short a space will
it take to rid the land" she said. And
was gone before any could answer
There was a long ''Ho-o-o," Of as
sent.
What's this all aboutY asked Colo
mel Cummings
"she wants me t so" said Mat
thews
Well. so do l."
The Indians conferred among them
selves Suddenly. IS II they had
reached a decision. they fell silent and
settled back. Lame Foot spoke.
In the moon of wild strawberries, .
he said. the sun Is warm and the
grass is growing" He turned to tn
interpreter. Ask our brothers TO send
the women. then. and follow them. "
shall go free. and as we 90 We shan
free the land"
But if your brothers cannot comet"
said Matthews.
Lame Foot answered. The white
chief will send US TO STANDING Rock
agency. From there braves will so out
to hunt-and arrows fy silently. There
are some of two tips, These bite Ike
the rattlesnake"-
Matthews rubbed his chin. he knew
that what Lounsbury had told him in
the coloners library was true. All ie-
gal and moral claims to the valuable
town site across the river were gone
/ He could secure the land only by IN
derhand means. And here were those
who would do what he dared not.
They make 4 cunning wound" con
tinued Lame Foot. and no one finds
the arrow"
Colonel Cummings was growing i'm
patient. Interpret interpret" he or
dered.
They think it's all up with 'em If ]