The Detroit times., 1908-08-11

tn6y Will De mdTsndlleu III line Dy
the patrol boats Key West Trespass
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Questioning failed to elicit any defln-
lite information regarding the part
which my customer had played In the
prank that had broken off friendly re-
lations with the visiting Ojibways.
Two Trails inquired, in turn, whether
the latter band had passed my way.
/ replied In the affirmative and gave
him some scraps OF my conversation
with the interpreter, which seemed to
put the Sisseton rascal in high hui
NOR. 'Horsehair rope plenty In Red
Feather camp, he remarked as he
took his departure.
Beyond the ravine have men
toned. and at the distance of a mile
OF SO from any quarters there was u
marshy lake frequented by largs
fiocks Of ducks. II was the best shoot.
ing ground within radius OF several
miles. Toward this lake the Indian
directed his steps. AS watched his
1.-THE, straight form, and noted his
rapid, springy strides, IL occurred TO
me that + he were only as finely
developed in mind and character as
In body he would be magnificent
man. The afternoon was beautiful,
the season being early autumn, and
! | sat In front of the store enjoying
the prairie scenery and half conscious.
| ly following the recsding figure Of
I Two Trails, as he wendell his way
across the level sward and entered
the ravine at a point considerably
southwark from the crossing place OF
the Ojibwsys whom | supposed to be
now many miles TO the eastward.
Suddenly Two Trails re-appeared.
running az full speed toward me. A
minute or two later the whole Ojib-
way contingent also emerged into the
open, flashing their rat.tailed nags 10
full gallop In pursuit of the Sisseton.
understood the situation at a glance;
the Ojibways. ostensibly departing for
home, had really camped down In the
ravine to plan, and wait for revenge,
and the very man they were looking
for had, by chance, stumbled almost
into their grasp. Two Trails was one
Of the best runners Of his tribe and
had a fair start. but was afoot. His
sprinting on this occasion fully sus-
tanned his reputation and would have
given him new prestige with his COM
rades had they been there to see It.
He knew that II he reached my store
before the Ojibways overlook him. no
would be safe; as would not allow
any brawling there, nor would his enc
mics dare to attempt forcible entry.
But his task was hopeless from the
first. Some three hundred yards from
the store few burrows had been
plowed as a fire-guard, for 1t was the
time OF year for the prairie grass to
burn of. AS Two Trails neared the
broken sod he turned his head and
measured the distance and speed of
his pursuers; then, looking forward
again, he seemed to calculate his
chances OF winning the race. A single
glance was sufficient to show him the
futility OF further effort. The shallow
trench cut by the plow-share was a
poor sort Of siege-work. yet II Afforded
more cover than six inch buffalo
grass; and. with Indian quickness to
take advantage Of any defense. the
hard pressed Sioux dropped full length
into the furrow. Quickly seizing q
couple of sods he made a small ram
| DdII III CitnCI DAuC Va hAS hGaQs ONi-
IDENTIFY determined. like q cornered
dog. to make the best fight the cir.
cumstances would allow.
1.-The avengers came swiftly on:
parting, a. by tacit consent, when they
neared their PROSTATE foe, and com.
pletely encircling him, at q distance
Of q hundred yards or more. Then
at q signal from the leader, the cir.
Gle began TO move. and, at the same
time, the Ojibways began pepperins
the exposed parts Of Two Trails body
with shot. The range was too Ions
for the pellets to penetrate deeply
into the luckless victim, but they
stung like fire. At every discharge
a yell OF pain and rage arose from the
Sisseton, and he writhed In move
snake. But his outcries were answer
ed by shrieks Of delighted laughter
from the Ojibway ring. II was their
inning. and they enjoyed the sport
to the full. would have liked to
assist the poor scamp, much as he de
served his punishment: but decided
that my safety and that OF my family
depended absolutely on the exclusive
attention | should give to my own
business Round and round rode the
HAPPY and enthusiastic warriors
screaming with merriment at each
successful shot and the cries and con
tortions II elected. Two Trails tried
again and again to get an opportunity
to return the fire. but was each time
forced To- duck his head behind the
sod shelter for fear OF being hit where
II would be dangerous TO eyesight OF
Ito Life.