Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-29
*NORTHERN y LIGHTS+
FROM The ROMANTIC AMERICAN DRAMA.
THE NOVELIZATION BY A. D. HALL.
CHAPTER XVI.
One Indians Honor.

to every man under his command
and in all hearts rose up the cry OF
"Vengeance!"
The feeling against the ''red deV-
lis" as they termed them, was intense
too intense to be described in words
and determination was the one
thought Of all.
II was an unfortunate moment,
therefore, for the arrival Of one OF
copper skin, who came galloping into
camp about half an hour after the ter
rible tidings had been brought by
Horton.
With cries and yells of execration,
hundred muskets were leveled at the
Indian horseman, and certainly that
moment would have been his last, had
not General Crook dashed between
him and the leveled weapons and ex-
claimed in thunderous tones of. COM
mand:
Halt men! Down with your guns!
What are you going to do? what!
hundred men against one unarmed red
skin! D me, I'm ashamed OF you!
The men sullenly lowered their
guns, while the general, who so fortu-
nately had happened to be near the
outskirts Of the camp. motioned the
Indian to follow him.
When they arrived in front or the
generals tent, whittier they were fol-
lowed by an ever-increasing crowd OF
curious, murmuring soldiers, the red
skin dismounted.
He staggered a little as he did so,
showing that for one cause or another
ne was weak and faint.
Swiftwind, for he 1t was, presented
a marked contrast in appearance to
what he had been when assistant sur
geon at Fort Terry.
Instead of the blouse and trousers OF
regulation blue, he was now arrayed
in full Indian panoply- deerskin leg
gings, breech clout Of unbleached cot
ton cloth, moccasins, loose shirt,
showing at the uncovered neck neck
lace Of bears claws. and with two
eagles feathers fastened in his hair
and standing straight up in defiant
manner Moreover, his face was dec
grated with broad splashcs of color, red
and yellow.
We'll" said General Crook turning
to him and surveying him from head
to foot with a glance that was far
more hostile than friendly, you've
run your head into a pretty moose,
haven't you?"
There was no answer. But the look
was returned in steady, uncompro-
missing way.
What the devil brings you here
anyway"
Still no answer.
The general turned impatiently to-
ward the crowd Of soldiers who were
listening in eager attention.
Orderly"
A man stepped forward and saluted.
Bring me an interpreter to speak to
this fellow. 1t may be important"
Pardon me, general" spoke up Cap
tain Strong, who had followed the 9TH
ers to the centre of attraction. l. can
speak the Sioux tongue"
Then, to the surprise of all. the In
dian spoke, using the purest Of Eng
lish.
II need no interpreter"
who are your" demanded General
Crook. in surprise.
John Swiftwind," was the quick
answer, with an imperious toss of the
head.
THE assistant surgeon from Fort
Terry?"
Yes, general"
Crook. looking at him. evidently
wondering why he was dressed as he
was. but he was a man of rare diplo-
macy. using no words except such as
were absolutely necessary and he
made no comment.
why have you deserted your post?'
ne asked.
Il have not deserted" replied Swift
wind. proudly MY term of enlist
ment expired before my departure"
How do know this to be true
Because 1 say so, general"
There was something in the tone
that savored strongly of defiance, but
General Crook. whose experience had
taught him to be a clever reader OF
human nature. detected in it also the
ring of truth. At any rate he did not
press the question. but remarked
quietly:
1T seems you have become tired OF
civilized life"
Il became tired Of hypocrisy" re-
piled Swiftwind, in even monotonous
tones as If he were stating fact
against which there could be no ap-
real. false pride and crime committed
in the name of science"
General Crook was silent for a mo-
ment He did not quite understand
not being cognizant of the facts. but
he felt that there was before him q
man of no ordinary calibre.
And you returned to your people,
he asked al last.
Yes. general"
You found less of it there. sup
poSe?" with a Sneer he took no pains
to repress.
mo. general" was the quiet res
ponse. but | found more to excuse
it,"
You have been with Sitting Bull OF
the Big Horn" asked Crook. thinking
it was time to cease dealing with gen
eraIitieS. and to come to the fact!
which ii was important for him (,