The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-04-22
A eoyhood ReeoIIeetIon.

up u0fklN Snuukeu by lne uBnI All
other and another saw, and my
weapon went to my shoulder as !
gave the alarm Shangraux was be-
side me In an instant
Don't fire till / give the word he
warned crisply
A dozen rifles wore covering the
three dim shapes. Slowly they ad-
vanoed toward us, and peering along
my levellad barrel. I was puzzled
for they seemed to move deliberate
ly, with assured step, instead Of fur
lively, like assailants who creep upon
their prey
Some of the women who had been
so far controlled must have yielded
to the grim suggestion of that last
command, or while we waited, chill
dren began to cry in Gordons wag-
on. and deeper sobs reached us. They
were simple souls, untempered as yet
to the rude life of the frontier, ami
the danger of the moment appalled,
them. The men hushed them stern
ly, but not until they had added the
final touch to the quivering tensity
of the situation.
stand" shouted Shangraux, and
repeated the order in Sioux.
The three figures came to a halt
We could see them clearly now. They
were Indians, blanket wrapped, and
apparently they were not carrying
rifles. One of them stood little
| forward.
"Injun want talk with white man.
he called, in broken English. mo got
gun, White man no talk, we fight,
quick"
This peremptory demand for a par
ley went unanswered while Shang-
rauX made some changes in the dis
position of his forces. Instead of
gathering more defenders upon the
side whence the Indians had come, he
distributed achievements about the
circle, warning every man to keep
the sharpest watch against surprise,
Then, and not till then, he answered.
"The three of you can come in.
Bring no guns or we fire"
Only two of the nocturnal trio tool,
advantage of the permission. They
paced slowly forward, while the
other seated himself on the ground
outside. Shangraux told off a man tC
keep that particular Indian covered
J as he valued his life, warned me ant
four more to have the two ambas
sailors at the point of the rife every
, instant. and stepped forward to NEE
the visitors. He escorted them be
tween the wagons and led them Iii
to the fire, where he greeted then
courteously.
"How, Red Cloud he said, extend
ing his hand to the taller of the two
The Sioux shook gravely, answering
How, how"
How, Crazy Horse" said Shang
raux, turning to the other And the
salutation was repeated. The Indians
then seated themselves leisurely.
One of the other scouts, who un
derstood Sioux, repeated for our ben
eft the names that had been spoken
and, if possible, we regarded the say
ages with greater interest. Thes'
two great chiefs of the Sioux hat
acquired fame that echoed far beyont
their country. Willy warriors the,
were, great statesmen and command
! ers in their way, and destined t.
play important parts in the las
stands of the tribe.
Having composed himself in dignt
fled silence for some minutes, Re
Cloud rose and began slowly to spea
|, in the Sioux. The old timer in tn
group that kept the visitors unde
Z guard translated as the chief role
z his sonorous phrases. I was young
: impressionable, and the effect of tina
5 scene has never passed from me.
3 saw there for the first time the grea
= tragedy of the American Indians,
saw the pathos and the appeal ths
underlay the long, bitter, hopeles
struggle of this doomed people
"a hold what the Great Spirit had giy
en- them. Red Cloud, a tall, mob
g. man, of great strength and reserv
stood there In the midst of the il
vaders, and with measured, eloquel
tongue, pleaded the cause Of the re
man. Fearless, manly, straightfo
T ward, he stood in the freight, IL
advocate Of the original possesso
of the soil, and asked these viii
Id men what to him was his simp
- right, that they cease to push the
rad brotharc from tha Drairies