Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-13


adventure.
One night last December, sent Jimnl,
on horseback to carry dispatches to Captain Lit
tie. 1t showing hard and the wind was blowing
Just as he starting out said to him: III Jimmy
I have had reports from the scouts that some bands
OF Indians under Red Horse roaming about be
tween us and Captain Little. Let me know II yot
see any
He took the papers tucked them in his boots ant
rode into the storm.
He rode along at brisk trot following the trail
ard wondering what he should do when it became
covered with snow.
Fe had been riding for about an hour when he
suddenly noticed, through the falling snow, da-h
mass the horizon 1t seemed to be moving slowly
in his direction. At first he thought it was a herd
OF buffaoes, but it nearer he saw 1t was a
party either OF Indians white men.
What could he do If it proved be Indians? He
would be taken prisoner and the valuable dispatches
would be lost, say nothing OF his life. He glanced
about for place to hide, but there was nothing
except for miles and miles.
lie came a snow-drift and dismountng
crouched down behind it. The weIl-trained horse at
the word OF command lay down beside him.
Jimmy unbuttoned his cavalry cloak and threw
it the horse, so that in they should have
stay there long the animal would not freeze.
Sheltered form the piercing wind and from Tic
driving Jimmy for the first time that night
was warm. He was not be lett long undisturbcd.
for soon above the bowling OF the wind he heard,
drawing nearer, Indian voices. His danger at once
became imminent that he lay the snow mo-
tionless, scarcely daring to breathe The voices
grew louder and louder until Jimmy could hear
everything they said. The very damp and
packed easily. He took his long knife and pushed
the handle through the snow-drit the other side.
making little hole through which he could the
Indians without being seen by them.
At the head of the line rode the Indian chief He
was almost a hundred years old, but he was more
NJ -f,e Of Tir1,r-
could see he suffering intensely from the cold
and exposure When the head OF the column
just opposite Jimmy it halted, and the Indians began
earnest consultation to whether they should
go on to their new camp return to the one they
had lett that day Some were afraid their chief would
die before they could reach their destination for the
new camp still many miles distant. The others
said that if they went back the White Chief and his
soldiers would attack them unpreparcd and encunl-
bered with baggage, squaws and children. This last
argument seemed most forCibe, the Indians would
prefer the death OF their chief the total annihiia
ton of their tribe which might be the result of at
tack So the whole column moved slowly for
ward.
Jimmy then mounted and rode 1t had grown
so dark that Jimmy took out his compass, but it
slipped from his fingers and fell into the F3c
got down from his horse and searched for it pains
takngly, but in vain!
He was lost the great plains of North Dakota
in the midst of terrible snowstorm, with hostile
Indians not far away. He remounted and rode for
ward, trusting to his horses of direction to
lead him to Captain Litt1es camp home.
He had not gone far when he perceived dark
line of tents. They appeared suddenly from be
hind a large divide that he much startled
After walking a little nearer, he it
Indian encampment. Unless he could find shelter
from the before night he and the horse would
surely perish The camp was in all probability the
one which the Indians had deserted, and without
urther delay he went toward the camp He fourd
empty, and chose the largest tepee for himself,
putting the horse into the next He lit a match
ind cautiously entered There few buffalo
obes at side hard dirt floor and some broken
pottery. A huge, hideous-looking mask hung the
wall. Jimmy very tired so he rolled himself N
he buffalo robes and Immediately fell asleep
After he had slept for about hour he became
conscious of confused murmuring, It what seemed
ome distance. The frozen top and
Jimmy heard the crunching of it the thin crust
vas broken by many feet He lay down and
quickly drew the skins him.
Finally the crunching ceased, and then wild
Urge, half chanted, half sung. broke in upon the
TRANCE silence The voices of the savages, harsh
md weird upon the still night air. After the
ong and echoes had died away there was mo-
nents pause. Then Jimmy heard footsteps coming
learer. nearer, nearer. Then the flap of the tepee
,pened. and two Indians entered with the body of
old They deposited their burden the ground
nd stood moment muttering petition to the
treat Spirit and then withdrew