Gilpin observer., 1915-11-11
CHAPTER VIII.
The Buffalo Hunters,

get food for her white sister. All
Swift Wind said was: "Come!" and he
seized Sally by the hand and dragged
her out.
When they reached his own lordly
wigwam Swift Wind ordered Sally to
enter, saying: you now my squaw!"
With movement quick as lightning
the brave girl whipped Swift Winds
scalping knife from his belt and
placed it's point at her own breast
Lay a hand on me, Swift Wind"
she said, warningly and in desperate
earnest, "or come a step nearer to
me, and | will drive this knife into
my heart"
The chief perceived that the girl he
coveted was in deadly earnest. So he
sought by strategy to gain his end
See what they are doing now to
your white man." Swift Wind said
seeking thus to divert Sally's atten-
tion so that she would look over his
shoulder to the tepee occupied by Tom
4Mingle.
They were even then dragging Tom
away from the tepee on the way to
the council wigwam, where the pris-
oner's fate would be decided.
In the great wigwam of council"
said Swift Wind to Sally, they will
pass around war club. And if the
club your white man will be killed.
/ can save him. Give me that knife
and your white man shall live"
But Sally was not to be hoodwinked
by any such transparent strategy.
r NO" she persisted, 81 will not give
you this knife. And if you touch me
you will touch dead woman"
The situation was becoming danger
Gus in the extreme, when Starlight ap-
peared.
Shame to you, my brother! You
humble yourself before a paleface
squaw! See. | will take her and keep
her for your command-after you
leave the council wigwam. The war
iriors await you there now. Col"
Starlight thus again saved Sally.
She now took the white girl aside and
said:
"They will now, in the great wig
wan take what You call in your
tongue vote. They will vote on the
fate of your white lover But all is
arranged He shall escape-and this
time you and he shall go together on
a horse which have hidden in the for
est. Your lover knows OF my plans.
You have but to come with me and all
will be we'll"
So Sally. taking heart of hope from
assurance by Starlight that they would
now be able to make a complete get
away went with the Indian maiden
into the forest. In a dense thicket a
horse was hidden.
Mount" said Starlight. And
.wait!"
And with that Starlight glided away
and back to the village.
Meanwhile. in the great council wig
wam. Tom stood confronting the men
who were to decide his fate. Present
were Chief Swift Wind and Twin
Boughs. the medicine man, and Wild
Horse, whose papoose Tom and Sally
had saved from death, and other wise
men of the tribe.
A war club was being passed around.
II a member OF the council smote the
ground with the club 1t was a vote
that Tom should die II member
passed the club without touching It to
the ground 1t was vote for mercy.
Tom noted that Wild Horse, whose
child he had brought back to the vii.
lage and placed in the arms Of the
rnn Il
club, thus giving vote for mercy
But. nevertheless, the majority of the
wise men smote the ground with the
club hence the majority vote was for
death. Accordingly Swift Wind or.
dered that Tom be burned at the
stake.
They dragged the condemned man
forth and tied him 70 painted post
AT his feet they piled brush A little
way of the Indians had built a fire,
In which they now thrust gun barrel.
They were heating the gun barrel, and
when 1t became red hot they would
torture Tom with It while the flames
from the brush at his feet slowly con-
sumed him.
AT the edge of the forest, out of
sight of the Indians who were now
gathering to witness Toms passing
away Starlight stood talking to the
squaw OF Wild Horse, the mother who
was grateful to Tom for bringing back
her baby. Starlight was giving this
squaw her Instructions. The squaw
took a knife which Starlight gave her
and stole toward the painted post to
which Tom was lashed.
The Indians lighted the brush at
Iom's feet The flames shot up all
about him. He strained at his lash.
,ngs in vain attempt to break them.