Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23


touched his knife significantly
II waited for thirty seconds and then
said. Hungry Eat Drink Again chorus
of grunts greeted us. and all the Indians began
what they said but we thought they were
arguing about our fate Some of the Indians
evidently wished to befriend us. but Broken
Toe. being the one who had stolen our horses.
seemed to oppose all kind intentions
A FTER great deal of granting and talk
ing. Broken Toe made an angry gesture.
accompanied with some words of command
Thereupon two Indians took charge of Balser
and two grasped my arms Broken Toe
walked off toward the other end of the village.
and we were forced to follow. We soon came
to an open place surrounded by tepees. and
there one of the Indians said in English. Sit
down
I'VE gladly obeyed; for we were very tired
The thongs of leather were removed from our
wrists: our arms were bent behind us: and
in that position We were tied: Then the In
dams bound our ankles The brutes drew the
lariats so tight that | saw the blood squirt
from Balsers wrists. and soon | felt blood
trick1ing down my hands behind me.
go Curse the brutesi' cried Balser III
never again say good word for an Indian
I'm almost dead now. If they going to
kill US l wish they'd do so at once
Don't say word. said l. While there
life there's hope, and I'll bet you my half OF
Wyandotte's treasure that we'll get out OF
this all right Brace up. old fellow. and laugh
Make the red devils think that the lariat
tickles you
Il began to whistle, though it was pretty
hard work. and when the Indians turned to
look at me in wonder. spoke to Balser. laugh
ing as if it was all huge joke. Balser too
laughed. and l called to Broken Toe. saying
I'm hungry. Give me something to eat
and I'm thirsty. Give me something to
drink
But the Indians left us. and when they
had gone l thought | was going to collapse
AS usual. l was brave when some one was
looking on l do believe | should have CRED
if Balser had crooked his finger at me- but
he couldn't do it. being bound. and l again
began to whistle to keep my courage up
Balser began to groan; but I checked him.
saying - po,. :. a..,,., Va, h.,s 70
die sometime If you die now. it will save you
the trouble later on Always finish bad job
as soon as possible
~ don't mind for myself he answered:
almost ready for tears; but m thinking OF
through all the years of her life She will
never know my fate: neither will your mother
or Nab ever know
''Ah. Balser. please don't Don't l had
worked myself into fine shape. but the thought
of Nab and my mother Oh. don't don't
You mustn't think of such things now Drive
such thoughts out of your mind. and we IL
show these demons how to die That's the
one thing they know better than We.
But don't want to know how answered
Balser
Well you'll know before long. if I'm not
mistaken SO laugh while you can. for the time
will soon come when you II laugh no more l
don't know how they're going to kill us: but
it does look dark for us. However. I'll stick
to my bet. and II wager my half of the treasure
that we get out of the scrape yet. There's no
use to take the darker view of it until there's
no other view to take. and I'm sorry that
l said you would not ihave long to laugh.
You have many a laugh ahead of you yet
Balser. Cheer up! Cheer up, and take my
wager 49,,
said Balser. but if you are. wish | could go
crazy too. or that these redskins would hurry
up and finish u.s.
We were sitting on the ground. bound hand
and foot. and of course could not rise
Raiser had hardly finished speaking when
two old Squaws came toward us. one bear
ing bucket of water. the other carrying
pan of cornmeal mush. They placed the
bucket and the pan on the ground. and kneel-
ing close beside us teasingly offered first the
water and then the mush but our hands be-
ing bound. we could take neither. This evil
IDENTIFY was great sport to the hags: for they
grunted and cackled gleefully. They had no
intention to give us food; but evidently had