The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-08-13

pose was wholly hOStlle was made
manifest by their presence in such
numbers and in silence. He had not
believed that the Modocs would mo-
lest him despite their war against the
settlers. He had been wrong. He
realized too late that his intimate
knowledge of them was deemed dan
gcrous to their safety at this time and
that they did not dare trust his fash
to them as against that to his own
people.
In any event. he must have more
precise knowledge of their intentions
before determining his own line of
conduct. He put his lips near the
peep-hole and called peremptorily:
"Leapine Bull, Leaping Bull"
There was a chorused grunt of as
constituent from the Indians. mo
nent's silence. Then the voice of
Leaping Ban answered the summons.
How
Mason smiled triumphan,ly. What.
ever the issue he had at least i'm
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?''
I'VE come to learn the truth from
White Bear, to talk without crooked
words"
"Leaping Bull knows that White
Bears words are always straight, that
his tongue is not forked.'
The Chief grunted an assent.
Speak, them Mason commanded,
white Bear is Modoc,' the Indian
said; "he is my brother. Is he now
faithful brother to Leaping Bull and
to all the braves his brothers."
Mason was silent, in sheer perpleX.
lty. Low CALCULATIONS from the In
dams showed how they interpreted his
delay in answering. Leaping Bull
continued:
The N0iocs war against the white
men. The pale-faces are the blood
brothers of White Bear. He was their
brother before the Modocs welcomed
him to their tribe. Will he help his
white brothers against his tribe?' The
chief paused for a 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 when
they make war against his own race"
There were angry mutterings from
withou. 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 his
duty to bis 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:
Il 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 will give his promise
TO remain here, not to go forth with
the enemies Of the Modocs, he shall
live"
Mason answered clearly:
"No. thank you, Leaping Bull, but
cannes make such a promise
Then" the chief repeated solemnly.
"Whie Bear must die!"
Now Mason was ready with a sug.
gestion
white Bear wishes well to all. Let
him bargain little with his brothers,
the Modocs. He is here; he cannot
escape. But you know him. He is
shut up in his cabin. You must take
him. It will not be easy. You must
fight to take him. You know his
strength and his skill, You cannot
burn his cabin, you uus' come in to
take him. You know how strong his
cabin is, how true his rifle is. Some Of
your braves must fall, even many But
these White Bear will spare, he will
walk from the door without his rifle
and give himself into the hands of the
MOdocs to Stay him-on one condi
ton
4 rumble of amazed exclamation
sounded from the band, Mason con,
tinucd:
"Lcaping Bull knows the house OF
Silas French in the valley"
The chief muttered an assent
"Wcn. 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
yuur braves from my rife If YOU re.
fuse shall kill more Of You than they
arc--l swear it'-bCfOrc you drag me
from his spot. Your braves are worth
more 10 you than this one family. But
Won must spare them forever. What
is your answer?
leaning Bun called some of the
leading warriors to him and consulted
with them. Mason's proposition,