The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-16
A SCOUTS
ESCAPE
: By M. QUAD
Copyright. 1915. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.

followed the close of the civil war |
was attached to various western forts
and camps as scout and dispatch rider
and in that capacity had my full share
of adventures. 1t was my fortune or
misfortune almost at the outset of my
career to strike the Sioux Il blow
which made them forever after hungry
for my life.
It soon became known among the
Sioux what had happened. and every
branch of the tribe swore to have M,
life. A reward of ten ponies was offe...
J ed to any one who would kill me anu
twenty II l were taken alive was
advised by every one to clear out of
that locality, but l refused to go till
the long expected war finally broke
out, and l was attached to Il moving
column.
F., I was finally made prisoner under
singular circumstances. | was return.
Ing from the flying column to Fort
Wallace with dispatches. had set
out soon after dark and made a good
twenty-five miles when heavy fog
settled on the plains 1t wouldn't have
bothered an Indian to keep the points
OF the compass, but after I turned and
twisted among some dry ravines had
to own up that I was lost. NV horse
was just as badly Off. When gave
him his head he came to Il stop. The
only thing to do was to dismount and
wait for daylight. l was sitting on the
| ground, not feeling bit sleepy. and
| my horse was lying down when a band
OF thirty-seven Indians. all mounted,
walked right on to me through the fog.
l heard the footsteps of their horses.
but could not locate them In the fog
until too late. When leaped up it
was with the thought that l might
make break for it on foot, but before
l could turn they were all about me.
and In another minute | was made
prisoner.
The Indians were as much surprised
as l was, and 1t was broad daylight
before they identified me. Up to that
time they had treated me fairly well.
When 1t was known I was the scout
whose life they had SO long thirsted
after half a dozen bucks tried their
best to tomahawk me on the spot, but
were restrained.
When their anger had cooled down
there was as much rejoicing as II they
had captured fort. Six warriors were
called out as guard. and soon after
sunrise I was put In their charge and
started for a big Sioux village on Deer
creek, between the two forks of the
Republican river. I was, of course,
disarmed. Then my elbows were tied
together and my feet tied under the
horse, and for fear the horse would
run on with me he was led by lariat.
When we reached the village l was
put In tepee and my arms unbound.
1t was the third day after my cap
ture before l was disturbed. Then,
most Of the warriors having returned
to the village on purpose to witness my
death, was led out at 3 o'clock in the
afternoon to undergo the preliminary
to actual torture. This is running the
gantlet
l got ready as we'll as could, and
when the signal came l sprang away
at the top Of my speed. Blow after
blow fell upon me as the savages shout
ell their delight. and, to my great sur
prise. at length reached the end.
There l fell In a heap, and they gave
me ten minutes to brace up for the
run back. made only half the dis
lance this time. being struck such
blow over the head with club that
sank down unconscious. When | had
recovered my senses they returned me
to the lodge. where 1 lay for many
hours. expecting to be taken out any
moment for torture. They would have
finished me but for the fact that the
wife Of Little Feather. who was in
another village fifty miles away, had
not yet arrived. She wanted to be in
at the death.
The squaw arrived soon after mid
night. My ankles were tightly dashed,
and could not sleep.
Half an hour after daylight the vii |
lage was astir. and at sunrise sauaw
brought me some breakfast, and the
lashings around my ankles were cast
of. learned several years after that
1t was intended to Oblige me to run the |
gantlet again. WAS eating the meal |
the squaw had brought when a sud |
den excitement arose outside. There
was great shouting. followed by
cheers and the report of firearms, and
the next minute the 200 frontiersmen
VINO had been raised in Kansas and |
Nebraska rs an independent force
charged into the village. It was a !
complete surprise to the Indians, but
not for long. 1t wasn't five minutes
before the fleeing warriors rallied for
defense. but before that time I was
safe. At the first alarm | sprang up
and ran out of the lodge full against
one OF the guards, and as ran | was
fired at two or three times. | was
with the horsemen In a minute or two.
and after bit l got a rife and took
an active part in the hot fight going
on We were driven Off after a couple
OF hours. but we got every pony in the
herd and burned all the lodges, and
they had many dead warrior to
mourn over.
1t was singular that In after years
l should meet the squaw Of Little
Feather on the reservation and have n
long talk with her. So H. happened,
and she calmly fn15 49,, A.. - =, |