The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-03-11

1edpln9 bulI answered the summons.
''How?1
Mason smiled triumphantly what
ever the issue he had at least Inn
pressed the savages with his readiness
The conversation continued in the dia-
lect Of the tribe. which Mason spoke
with sufficient ease.
Why do you come like foes to the
wigwam Of your brother?"
We come to learn the truth from
White Bear, to talk without crooked
words
"Leaping Bull knows that White
Bears words arc always straight, that
his tongue is not forked"
The chief grunted an assent.
Speak, then, Mason commanded.
White Bear is Modoc the Indian
said; he is my brother Is he now a
faithful brother to Leaping Bull and
to all the braves, his brotheFsg"
Mason was silent, in sheer perplex-
ity Low CALCULATIONS from the In
dians showed how they interpreted his
delay in answering LeapiDg Bull
continued
The Modocs war against the whito
men, The pale-faoes are the blood
brothers Of White Bear. He was their
brother before the Modocs welcomed
him to their tribe. VIII he help his
white brothers against his trlbe?" The
chief paused for q reply.
This time Mason was ready:
"Leaping Bulls words are straight
words. White Bear will never aban-
don the people Of his own blood. He
has loved his brothers, the Modocs,
but he can no longer love them wen
they make war against his own race
There were angry mutterings from
without at this clear declaration, but
these were hushed as Leaping Bull
spoke:
Then White Bear must die! Leap
ing Bull loves him, but he must do bis
duty to his own people. Since White
Bear is the enemy Of the Modocs he
must die"
Mason. who had been thinking deep
ly, was now quick to speak again.
4 have kept my faith with you by
telling the truth. If my life must pay
the price Of my being faithful to my
people then | am willing to die"
But Leaping Bull said
"If White Bear win give his promise
to remain here, not TO go forth with
the enemies of the Modocs. he shall
live"
Mason answered clearly:
mo. | thank you, Leaping Bull, bat
/ cannot make such promise
Then. the chief repeated solemnly,
white Bear must diel"
Now Mason was ready with sug-
gestion:
White Bear wishes we'll to all. Let
him bargain a little with his brothers,
the Modocs. He Is here; he cannot
escape But You know him. He Is
shut up in bis cabin. You must take
him. It win not be easy. You must
fight to take him. You know his
strength and his skill. You cannot
burn his cabin; you must come in to
take him. You know how strong his
cabin is. how true his rife IS Some Of
your braves must fall, even many. But
these White Bear will spare, he viii
walk from the door without hts rife
and give himself into the hands Of the
Modocs to slay him-on one condi-
ton"
A rumble OF amazed exclamation
sounded from the band Mason con-
tlnued:
''Leaping Bull knows the house Of
silas French in The valley"
The chief muttered an assent
Well, my condition is this That
neither you nor any Of your tribe
harm Mrs. French, nor her husband,
nor her children. nor her property.
ask their lives and safety In all ways
from you, in return for my sparing
i your braves from my rife. II You re-
fuse / shall kin more Of You than they
are-I swear it!-before you drag me
from this spot. Your braves are worth
more to you than this one family But
you must spare them forever. What
is your answer"
Leaping Bull called some Of the
leading warriors to him and consulted
with them. Masons proposition,
Z as It seemed to them. was certainly to
{ their advantage. They knew his prov
ess, for lhey had fought With him.
Finally the chief spoke again to
s Mason:
white Bear, We have decided"
, HWell2'
! 'Leaping Bull win not harm. nor
5 let another harm, French. nor his
5 squaw. nor his papooses, nor his cat
t tie, nor bis wigwam.
7 do you swear that, Leaping Bull
: on your honor as chief, for yourself
e and for all the tribe2 DO you swear
] Il as chief and as my brother? And
[ does the tribe agreeg
+ "Leaplng Bull swears. His people
E will keep his honor The chief paused
E and a chorus Of animation went %
Q from the Indians.
/. Mason unbarred the door. threw Ii
open and, unarmed, stepped forth.