The Cairo bulletin., 1910-08-25
A DOLL
By DELLA TREVOR.
Copy right. 1910. ny American Press
Association.

preaching, rode out to meet them. As
they approached he saw riding before
the sergeants little Indian girl about
i've years old.
What have you there. sergeant"
I'VE were getting peep. sir, at the
devils from the bushes when this lit
tile tot came running right into us.
There was nothing for US to do but
seize her and clap hand over her
mouth. Then. Of course. we hnd to
bring her with us to prevent her cries
dra wing the reds after u.s."
"She must be returned. but 1t is too
late today. Well keep" her till morn.
ling But what did you earnT'
They've got the war paint on, ar 1
the whole tribe Is wild. There must
be between two and three thousan
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 tAHJ gained. The
prospect was not pleasant. There were
not hundred mcn for duty In The
fort. which was an old fashioned af-
fair, and the ammunition was low.
The Indians would undoubtedly attack
and II they kept up the siege long
enough would certainly capture the
fort. The logical end of this was a
massacre or the whole garrison, In
Guiding women and children
Upon entering the Enclosure the
major dismounted. took the Indian
child In his arms. lifted Der 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 hlther 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 child's Indian stoicism broke down
and she began to cry.
Mrs. Hopkins endeavored to quiet
her without effect. Little Maud Hop
lkiDs possessed very beautiful doll
with waxen head and shoulders and
hight, fluffy hair Taking up this doll,
her mother placed 1t 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 dozen cayalrymen. to
take her back to the Indians. In doing
SO there was a risk Of their being mur'
dered. But the major, believing that
the loss OF the youngster would tend
Ito 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 annihilate any one
who attempted to deprive her OF 1t,
rode out of the fort toward the Indian
Village.
When the party was deserted ap-
preaching a 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 powwow was
called among the chiefs. Their prep
arations we're 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 20 to the
tort aud thank the donor for her beau
tiful gift. After long discussion the
request was granted.
The same evening band Of Indians
was seen approaching 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 1t 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 Bquaw
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 request that they
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