Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-01-09


the paleface squnws."
Canada John answered him. "A
brave can but take the words OF the
white chief That is not well. One Of
double tongue must CO."
"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
rnings' face rs the question was put
to him. They saw the purpose-post-
ponement, which might bring freedom
for them and also retention of the
captive women.
The coloners answer did not need in
terpreting. NO. 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 sparkled with
hate. That was news Indeed.
Lame Foot spoke again. There was
n 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?'
Matthews answered gravely that IL
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 rope near the entrance rat
tied. The semiclrcle 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 head shawl
and faced red man and white. A
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 bug!ng
sides of q copper kettle. But her spirit
was little changed. She waited no In
vltation to speak. She paused for no
words. In her earnestness she leaned
forward n little.
Brown Mink is young" she said.
"She is but an unhedged 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 60. 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 choked by
ropes. But who can make things
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
a small length upon 1t. when our
warriors come thus short a space will
1t take to rid the land" she said. And
was gone before any could answer.
There was long HOOD" of as.
sent
whats this all about7' asked Colo.
mel Cummings.
''She wants me T. CO." said Mat
thews.
We'll. so do l."
The Indians conferred among them
selves. Suddenly, rs II they had
reached decision, they fell silent and
settled back. Lame Foot spoke.
in the moon OF wild trawberries."
he said, the sun IS warm and the
grass Is growing" He turned to the
interpreter. ASK our brothers to send
the women. them and follow them. We
shall 60 free. and as we go we shall
free the land
! said Matthews.
Lame Foot answered. The white
chief will send us to Standing Rock
agency. From there braves will go out
to hunt-and arrows fly silently. There
are some of two tips. These bite like
the rattlesnake"-
Matthews rubbed his chin. He knew
that what Lounsbury had told him in
the coonels library was true. All lie.
gal and moral claims 10 the valuable
town site across the river were gone,
He could secure the land only by un.
derhand means. And here were those
who would do what he dared not
They make a cunning wound" con,
tinued Lame Foot. land 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 II I
don't go" said Matthews. He looked
down thoughtfully. The trip would
be a comparatively short one and Of
fered good reward. Whatever hap
pened, if the Indians kept their word
with him, he would have both the pay
and the land,
"Will they tell me where the camp
is?" asked the colonel.
Matthews met his eye. "Ye-e-e-s,"
he answered, ''if | GO" lie addressed
the warriors: IF your promise is a
PROMISE
An old chief caught his arm I'VE
are not liars he said.
1T is task for a child" added
Lame Foot.
Enough answered Matthews. To
II II ,,,,.ry Ia a It,,~w