Evening star., 1909-06-27
Bringing in the Renegades
Continued from page II

ofNfNed "
to the squaws to take the addle off my horse
and turn him out to Craze. l then selected the
cleanest looking lodge. entered it, and taking
off my belt and six-shooterS, laid them down
with my Winchester
When the squaw who unsaddled my horse
returned told her to bring in my outfit and
put 1t with the rest of my property. Helping
myself to some dried buffalo meat | saw hang
ing in the lodge. / placed it over the fire to
warm; then taking some coffee from my saddle
pockets, | proceeded to make myself at home.
While eating heard the old Medicine Man call
ing the head men to come to the council lodge:
but | paid no attention to them.
After supper | smoked my pipe, then pulled
buffalo robe from out of a pile of them and
rolling myself in my blanket, lay down it.
Strange to say, l was soon fast asleep and
awakened during the night only to turn over.
So far l was safe The relaxing of the strain
that had been on my nerves all day. together
with the fatigue of the trip, induced such sleep
as only one who lives in the open air knows.
Early next morning the Squaws were busy
cooking breakfast for the family, white man in
cluded, to which added coffee and bread from
my stores l took sharp look at the old man
and his two sons. and while it was hard to dis
cover anything like welcome on the old mans
face, it was plain that the young men were
quite curious regarding me.
Filling of the War Pipe
SOON the old man left the lodge and after
~ sometime returned and beckoned me to fol-
low him. This did. leaving everything behind
me. He took me to the council lodge, where |
found assembled large circle OF the head men
of the tribe seated cross legged round small
fire. All were quiet, and the war pipe was being
filled.
The chief signaled for me to sit down; but as
they made room for me in the circle l re-
fused to obey, but told them wished to join
the circle. This was rather bold. but it worked,
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of hard crowding l made out to sit down.
When the war pipe came round | refused to
take it. 1t went round three times, and each
time refused 1t was then laid aside, and
long silence followed.
Next the long stemmed red stone pipe of
peace filled. and they tried to pass it by
me; but insisted upon taking it. Pointing it
first to the sky, then to the earth, then to the
north south, east, and west, / took a Whit for
each and passed it on. thus showed my peace
full intentions to the Great Spirit. the earth, and
all present. to the Big Medicine Man. in the
north to the sunrise, and to the sunset, peace
and good will toward all.
After this had been repeated three times and
followed by the usual silence, l was called upon
to explain why was there. / told them had
been sent by the White Father to ask them to
come into the agency, where they would be
treated kindly and become brothers of the
white man.
The old chief replied at first only with
x
give him that was not talking crooked
How, he asked, could he tell that when they
came there the White Father would not shoot
them and also their wives and children.
/ answered him, "You see me. l have no
fear of you. / come here alone among you, and
/ am unarmed. | am one, and you are many.
You have my arms and other property, and
you shall keep them until you find out that
what tell you is true. | will stay here while
you send your young men to the Nokonis, who
are your friends. Ask them to go to the agent
and hear what he says; then let them come
back to you and tell you. Then if I am not
talking straight, you can do with me what you
please" With this l went back to the tepee,
brought my arms laid them down before the
chief, and walked away.
The Nokonis were family belonging to the
Comanche tribe, who felt sure would stand by
me. 1t long time before they broke up
the council; but it evident that they had
decided to accept my proposition, as several
horses were brought in from the herd and prep
arations made for journey.
After their departure it was for case of
waiting. with nothing to do but eat and Sleep
for though had the freedom of the camp, /
was closely watched.
The Critical Delay
A FTER three DAYS the tribe broke camp and
= moved slowly southeast for another three
days keeping close watch of the surrounding
country and also of my movements
On the third day saw dust rising in the
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