The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-05-21

dren; the burning of homes, and an
the horrors of Indian warfare for years
to come. There Is only fringe Of
white settlers on this side OF the
river, Brady, and mere handful of
soldiers to defend them. We cannot
afford to have war, we are not ready"
Ready? rot! am for going in now,
an finishing the job. This new gov
eminent policy of strokin' those devils
on t;ie back, makes me sick. That amt
the way we cleaned up Kentucky"
Easier said than done, Brady. This
isn't Kentucky, and the conditions are
different. Those were hunters and
backwoodsmen who took possession OF
that land to the south. They came
alone, on foot, rife in hand. fighting
men every one. That was their trade.
These settlers who have come in
north Of the Ohio are Of different
breed; they have brought wives and
children with them, and have come to
till the land. They are not hunters
and woodsmen; half of them never
even saw an Indian. They would be
as helpless as babes on q war trail.
st. Clair and Harmar are doing the
best they can under such conditions.
They have got to compromise; they
don't dare provoke war. The In.
dams and the British know this is
true; Girty knows it, or he never
would have ventured to come in here
what is it, Faulkner"
t01vNUu
saluted stifhy.
THE compliments Of General Har.
mas, sir, and would you come to his
office"
very we'll, sergeant, as soon as !
can slip out of these hunting clothes.
Am right. Brady?"
Maybe So" he admitted reluctant.
ly, but that amt my style O. handling
1njuns. I reckon we'll hang round
boys, till we see what's comm
out O this yer message bearin'. I'd
sure like to be In any fracas whar l
could get slam at that hound O hell. "
1t required but few moments for
me to shift my hunting suit for suit
able uniform, and this accomplished,
hurried across the parade to the office.
The orderly admitted me at once. Gen.
eral Harmar WAS alone, sitting beside
a small writing table. and began Ques.
tioning me the instant I appeared.
CLOSE the door. Mr.. Hayward. Now,
sir, what is 1t that just happened out.
side the gate? Fighting with some OF
my scouts, I understand, over a fel
low you brought in with you? l pre-
sumo there was some cause for this
unseemly Quarrel?"
There was, General Harmar," re
piled, standing cap in hand.
He leaned back in his chair, drum
ming with one hand on the table, his
stern eyes on my face.
| Then make your report, sir"
| l went over the events of the pas!
few hours rapidly, but clearly. anG
there was no interruption until l ceas
ed to speak
who did you say the man was?"
Simon Girty, sir. That was thu
name he gave me, and Brady recog
nized him at once"
what is his mission? Did he say?'
mot a word, sir, except that he rep
resented the tribes, and bore q mes
sage from Hamilton"
Think you he lied? Is his purpose
to learn our strength and position?"
mo, sir, think not" l replied sob
erly. There was no necessity; be
yond doubt they know that already
I do not think the fellow would dar'
come other than he said: he is not O
that breed"
| He walked back and forth across
the room, his hands clasped, his heai
bent in thought. He was tiorid
faced, heavily-built man, his stel
heavy on the puncheon floor. Facing
the door, he stopped with sudden de
cision.
Orderly" he called, have the ser
geant of the guard bring the messen
ger here at once. Search him TO-
weapons first"
He turned toward me.
81 do not trust the villain, but II
hear his tale. l may need you, Mr.
Hayward; remain there in the bacl
room until l call.
/ could see no door.
where, sir?"
"In the den, beyond: the robe hides
the entrance. If / need you l viii
call The dog is coming now
The interior of this room which
now entered for the first time was
revelation to me. 1t was fitted up al
a lounging room, den; yet bearing
more resemblance to the tepee OF
savage, than any abode of civilization
The trappings of war, the tributes o
the chase, were everywhere in ev1
dence. l saw all this with a singh
glance as l shut the door, yet almos
with the instant, my entire attention
was riveted upon an occupant, and
stood motionless, scarcely creditinl
my own eyes, as l stared across thu
table at the couch against the farthe
wall. 1t was in shadow, underneath
the window, draped by yellow blan
ket, and in one cushioned corner sa
girl, her dark head bent low owe