Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1910-10-22

Major Hopkins, commanding Fort
layalry, seeing some of his scouts ap-
preaching, rode out to meet them. AS
they approached he saw riding before
the sergeants little Indian girl about
five years old.
What have you there, sergeant?"
1--WE We're getting a peep, sir, at the
devils from the bushes when this lit
tie tot came running right into US
There was nothing for US TO do but
seize her and clap a hand over her
mouth. Then, Of course, we had to
bring her with US to prevent her cries
drawing the reds after us"
She must be returned, but it is too
late today. Well keep her till morn
ing. But what did you learn?"
They've got the war paint on, and
the whole tribe is wild. There must
tepees, which would give them from
500 to 500 warriors"
The major turned and rode back to
camp motioning the sergeant to ride
beside him and continue his report of
the Information he had gained. The
prospect was not pleasant. There were
not hundred men for duty in the
fort, which was an old fashioned aft
fair and the ammunition was low.
The Indians would undoubtedly attack
and If they kept up the siege long
enough would certainly capture the
fort. The logical end Of this was a
massacre of the whole garrison. in
Guiding women and children.
Upon entering the inclosure the
major dismountcd. took the Indian
child in his arms, lifted her from the
horse and, taking her to his quarters,
turned her over to his wife. Then he
hurried away to prepare for death
struggle.
The little redskin stood stolidly
where she was placed in the middle of
the floor, her straight hair falling in
any and every direction, her beady
black eyes darting hither and thither
The white children clustered around
her, gaping at her as an object OF
wonder Being perfectly quiet, she
needed no attention till the shades Of
night cast gloom about her, when
her chld's Indian stoicism broke down
and she began to cry.
Mrs Hopkins cndeavored to quiet
her without effect Little Maud Hop
bins possessed a very beautiful doll
with waxen head and shoulders and
light, fluffy hair. Taking up this doll
her mother placed it in the arms Of
the tiny captive.
There" she said. IF you'll cease
crying you may have it to keep"
Whether or not the child understood
the words, she certainly understood
the act She Rugged the doll against
her breast, ceased weeping and soon
fell asleep.
The next morning Major Hopkins
ordered the sergeant who had captured
the child, with a dozen cavalrymen, to
take her back to the Indians. In doing
so there was a risk Of their being muir
dered But the major, believing that
the loss Of the youngster would tend
to further irritate the savages, did not
dare hold her. The child mounted be-
fore the sergeant, tightly holding her
doll, looking out Of her coal black eyes
as if she would annihiate any one
who attempted to deprive her Of it,
rode out Of the fort toward the Indian
village.
When the party was deserted ap-
preaching body of warriors, Selling
their arms, prepared to receive them.
But when the whites drew near and
the captive was distinguished the wo-
men set up a howl of pleasure. Then
when the child was clasped by her
mother, still tightly holding her white
doll, every Indian in the village crowd
ed around to see.
When the sergeant and his men
turned to ride back to the fort no
effort was made to prevent them. Soon
after their departure a powwow was
called among the chiefs. Their prep
arations were all made to begin the
attack on the fort, and in this incident
they saw delay. The child that had
been returned was taken to the con
clave and set in the center of the
circle with her doll. The Indian
mother asked permission to go to the
fort and thank the donor for her beau
tiful gift. After a long discussion the
request was granted.
The same evening a band of Indians
uaS coon apDrOac hing the fort The
whites at first considered them as an
advance guard of the enemy coming to
make the expected attack. But the
redskins came on close under the
stockade, and it was then seen that a
squaw was among them. They asked
for admittance, and the gates were
thrown open. Upon entering the in
closure the object of the visit was
made known, and the squaw was con-
Quoted to Major Hopkins quarters.
The Indian mother acquitted herself of
her mission, and Mrs. Hopkins invited
her to partake of refreshments.
The visit lasted several hours and
when the party returned the sQuaw
mother bore a message Of peace and
good will to the Indians, including a
promise from the commander OF the
fort that certain wrongs should be
redressed and a request that they
would return to their reservation. The
terms were accepted. and the redskins
took off the war paint
Thus a long war with its attendant
hOIkOrs was aVertcd by 4 bit q moth