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

He used fen words, but they Ucre forct-
bic.
weight - through plentiful food and
| lack Of exercise that he pressed out
upon it deporably with bullying
paunch.
Pompously, but using no gestures or
infections, he began rambling,
lengthy account OF his past deeds of
valor. From these he finally swerved
to the recital Of his peoples wrongs.
He climaxed after an intermina bic
amount of talking with a boast that
awakened the hearty appreciation Of
his sloven fellows. I'VE but wait for
the winter to CO." he said. "for in the
spring We shall have freedom. Our
brothers, who are sly as foxes and
swift as hawks. will sweep down up
on the pony soldiers and Stay them"
lie sat down amid q chorus Of "Ho,
no" The semicircle moved and bent
and nodded. 1t was plain that he had
expressed a common belief
There was one Indian not OF the
council to whom his words meant more
w
Charley. A moment after Colonel
Cummings arrival the pariah had
crept noiselcssly into the lodge and
lain down in the shadows. From
there. careful all the while to be quiet
and to keep himself we'll screened, he
listened to Lame Foot. But when the
chief came to his Dragging conclusion
Squaw Charley forgot his own degra-
dalton for moment and forgot TO fear
discovery. Was a battle indeed COM
ing? New hope all at once-the hope
that be would have the opportunity
long desired Of getting away from the
squaws. old men and the hooking chill
dren and going with the warriors!
Once with them. even in the role OF
cook or drudge. the chance might come
to do brave act. such an act as would
reinstate him. Perhaps he could
wound an enemy and count a coup up
on him. Perhaps he could face bullets
or arrows to rescue Il brother.
His dull eyes glinted like cut beads.
In very excitement he raised his bent,
spare body.
Hearing the movement Lame Foot
glared round, and his eyes fell upon
the outcaSt.
woo" he cried. "a squaw in the
council lodge! Woow
There was a general turning, and
those nearest the pariah made peremp-
tory gestures.
second Charley stood uncertainty.
Then the look Of one accused came
into his face. He tottered backward
through the lodge opening and out
into the snow.
The council continued.
A dozen warriors followed the war
priest IN speechmaking Each Of them
said no more than he. To Colonel
Cummings disgust each one said no
less. Added to the tediousness of 1t
all were Matthews interpretations.
Toward 3 O'Clock, however the prime
object of the meeting was reached
When the commanding officer at last
rose he was In no mood to mlnce mat
ters. He used few words, but they
were forcible He asked the inter
prefer to repeat them precisely.
They had their effect. While Mat
thews WAS doing this the colonel did
not glance away from the council fire,
yet he knew that in the semicircle
there was genuine CONSERVATION.
Grunts, startled, angry, threatening,
ran up and down the line. Those war
riors named for possible execution
alone were silent
Presently one Of the others spoke
III we tell you where to 60, how do
We know the white chief will not fall
upon the winter camp Of our brothers
as Custer, the Long Hair fell upon
Black Kettles"
Il am not going with the pony sol
diers." Matthews FASTENED to say.
Across the MUDDY Water. where the
road passes, is . wide piece Of land
which has been stolen from me-"
One Of the four condemned glanced
up II was Lame Feot. by the Plow
Woman" he asEDd-