The Washington herald., 1911-08-13
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

she had do doubt risen in the night and
stolen away. Very likely she was afraid of
the vengeance OF her parents for fleeing, and,
as the rainfall had ceased, she FASTENED back
through the woods to their wigwam
There was something curious and touching
IN the fact that she had grored about in the
darkness, for she could not have used light.
until she found her own clothing, which she
oohheo ana departed without taking SO much
as PIN that belonged to U.S.
We all felt a strong interest in Cb;t.to and
1 was sensible of something akin to strong
friendship. Father allowed me to 90 with him
few days later when he visited Lac Oui
iarie, and he made many inquiries there for
the little girl, but he could find out NOTHING.
No one seemed to know to whom we referred
and We went home-espccially did-yery
much disappointed. for had built up strong
hopes OF taking her out with me to spend sew.
eral days. was sure that it wouldn't take us
more. than couple of days to learn each
others language. AT any rate, we would learn
to understand each other in that time.
We went several times after, and neglected
nn efiort to discover Chitto: but We did not
On the afternoon of August 10, after father
was sitting IN his accustomed seat in front of
the house, and mother was engaged as usual
about her household duties. while was play
inclined to do at all times. The day was sui.
try and close, and remember that father was
unusually pale and weak. He coughed great
deal, and sat a long time 50 still that
thought he must be asleep.
der?' '-A'"e '0n
pointed in the direction of Lac Qui Parle,
the stretch of woods lying between us and
the station. She saw dark column Of smoke
floating off in the horizon, its location teinp
such that there could be no doubt it was ut
the Agency.
"There is fire of some kind there" she
SAID In low voice, as II speaking to herself,
while she shaded her eyes with her hand and
gazed long and earnestly in the direction.
"The Indians are coming Edward" she
called to father; they will be here in a few
minutes"
As she spoke she darted into the house and
came forth with fathers rifle Knowing how
weak he was, she intended to use it herself.
Brief as was the time she was away, it was
long enough for a galloping horse to come in
view. Suddenly, splendid black steed thun-
dered from the wood, and with two or three
Of me- As it did so, l saw that the bareback
rider was a small girl, and she was our little
Sioux guest, Chit-to.
She made a striking picture. with her long
black hair streaming over her shoulders and
her scant dress huttering in the wind. Her
attire was the same as when at our house, ex-
cepting she had not the cumbersome shawl
"Why, Chit-to," said /, in amazement,
where did you come from?"
Must go-must go-must go!" she ex.
claimed, in great excitement. INDIAN soon
b. here!"
So it seemed that. in the few weeks since
she had been at our house, she had picked up
enough of the English tongue to make herself
understood, though it is not impossible that
she knew enough when our guest, but chose
to conceal it. 1t is very hard to fathom all
the whims and peculiarities of the Indian
race.
What do you mean?" asked mother, as
she and advanced to the side of the black
steed upon which the little Sioux sat; what
are the Indians doing"
"They burn buildings-have killed mission
ary-coming dis way!"
Chit-to spoke the truth, for the Sioux were
raging like demons at that very hour at Lac
Qui Perle, and one of their first victims was
the good missionary, Amos Higgins. whose
wife and children, however, escaped through
the friendliness of some of the Sioux.
"What shall we do, Chit-to?"
"Get on horse-he carry you"