Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-04

of The Squaw. He speT across the
coulee bottom to the side Of the dead
chief. There he struck the fallen man
q blow upon the bare knee, snatched
from his head an eagle feather, daubed
1t, dripping red, into his own hair.
Then, as ,he had not done in years,
he Strengthened Then he cast from
him the foul rags of his sqgaw's dress.
And in clout and the colors of death
he stood forth-a warrior!
81 count a coup-Red Moon" he
cried
had been struck dumb.
"a coup, Red Moon! Come on,
you dogs-you sthat called me dog!
Come on, you squaws that called me
squaw! Come on, and warrior will
fight you, one by one"'
Before him more bowls and a blus-
ter of Uncapapa. Behind the voice
again: Charley! 1Charleyr'
And now Red Moon leaped back to
resume his stand. With his turning
the band drew after, sending a shower
of arrows.
At the Throat he faced them again.
Braves" he laughed mockingly.
"Dogs-that fight like dogs-a pack
against one!'
Now he shot, swift and unerringly.
Here one f1attened, there another; a
third broke his jaw upon a. stone-till
from their midst few the missile of
Big Ok, hard driven, straight. Culver
ing, it buried its deadly point in Red
Moons breast.
Deafening whoops echoed in the mar
row canyon, drowning the hoof beats
of a nearing horse.
Red Moon answered them. He was
swaying to and fro, like a cypress limb
in a great wind He lifted his face to
the sky until his crimson scalp feather
dropped, flung back his hair and clap
ped palm to mouth in a warcry.
Then his bow flew from his hand as
his arms spread out-spread out as if
seeking something upon which to lean.
He sank to his knees, chanting the
death song of the Sioux.
Charley. Charley" 1t was a wall.
Not his voice. but another's, an
| swered: Dallas! Where are yout"
The Indians heard the call. Catching
up wounded and dead. they fell back.
Dallas. shielded no longer, yet for
getful of danger and self, ran forward
| to where Red Moon knelt. Even as she
| reached him he could kneel no longer
| He toppled sideways, then straight
| ened upon his back
But now the band was coming back
| toward Dallas, on their way to the
Throat. Their purpose was thwarted
| Before Dallas was reached man
| blocked the narrow passage, and two
| revolvers barking staccato spread
panic among them. They turned to the
| walls, looking for a place to scale
From there came tramping and shouts
and they saw over them at either side
line of downward pointing guns.
| Huddiing together, the center of 6
complete surround, wounded and un
wounded cast aside their bows ant
| flung up their hands in the peace sign
| Give 'em hell, boysr' screamed {
+, trooper.
| nut tue
Close to the Throat. was q group that
had neither eyes nor ears for the cap
ture. Here was the warrior Rec
Moon, calm faced, bearing his agony
bravely, choking back even u murmul
of pain. Over him were Lounsbury
and Dallas, bent for final look ant
| word.
The surgeon was beside them now
hastily examining. The shaft was no
in the wound. 1t had fallen. But thu
poisoned barb remained He shook hi!
head.
mo use, john" he whispered ant
tiptoed away.
Lounsbury leaned farther down
Charley" he said, you're going now
old man. Say goodby to u.s."
The Indian moved one hand feebly.
Lounsbury understood. He liftet
and shook it gently. Brave Ret
Moon" he said
Dallas could not speak to him, bu
she, too, shook him gently by til
hand.
He settled his head upon Louns
bury's arm as child might have done
Then he looked up at Dallas. "Frien
: friend" he whispered softly, smile
, and with the touch of the sun on hi
upturned face he slept.