Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-21
BY
Robert Ames Bennett

That's the kind of fool he is" m
HE can't put me of. I'm member
Of the tribe"
Eyes. and Jake is a member by mar
riage. Lots of good that Will do you
both-in the guardhouse."
Redbear cringed at the word. "But
my sister He won't put me in"
"Wait and see when he finds out
how things have been going here. Let
him find out anything against you, and
it's Charlie In the jug. with his job
gone glimmering." ...
The halfbreed looked ND, his eyes
desperate, his face set In the grin Of a
cornered rat. He muttered curse.
That's 1t. boy!" encouraged Van
dervyn. "Don't lay down. We're with
you. But remember. we've got to make
a bluff. It's up to us to bluff him of,
or throw down."
II don't understand you, Mr.. VAN"
"Here 1t Is. then. He doesn't know a
word Of Lakotah. The tribe doesn't
know English. You are the Interpreter.
Get thatf'
Redbear shook his head. mo,
don't"
"Yes, you do. Charlie. We've already
told Hardy that there is lot OF bad
blood stirred up. It will be easy to
translate the talk OF the chiefs that
way. You can start in by telling them
how he pacified the Moros. He killed
nearly as many Of them as there are
members Of this tribe. The chiefs he
put In Jail. All the rest he moved to
another island-you can say. to an
other reservation"
"But IL that liz a lie"
ut isn't. It's exactly what hap.
pened. The Moro head chief was kept
In Jail until he was hung. Be sure to
tell that to old Thunderbolt. II II fails
to warm him"
"Hoganny-hunkw gasped Redbear.
'"They once put him In jail for week.
II tell him, 1t will make him fighting
mad"
'"That's what we want. TIL post you
to interpret what he says, In a way
that will get Hardy's goat. No man
has nerve to stand up to a whole tribe.
He will have to quit. Then the Job
comes to me. You know what that
means"
"You promised me full share"
YES, and that means a third of the
net proceeds, now that Nogen Is out OF
the way. Only, remember, you &c,
nothing-none Of us gets a cent more
out Of tiff Hardy stays It's up to
you now, Charlie. You turn the trick
and get your share; or you fall down
lose share and job. and 60 to the guard.
house-on your way to the federal
penitentiary. Which is 1t to beY'
Redbear's ratllke grin had changed
to the grimace of rabid coyote
Course him." he snarled. I'm make
him run clean to town."
"Good boyw praised vandervyn
"Had your breakfast? Yes7 Then
trot up to the agency and pass the
time of day to the chiefs as they come
In. 1t will help things along to post
them beforehand. Don't forget tina,
Hardy is a cold-hearted army martinez
who despises Indians. He Is planning
to stop all issue goods. and intends to
punish the chiefs for the killing Of No.
gen. But II ne leaves the reservation
/ become the agent. I will make no
trouble over Nogen, and will see that
the government keeps giving issue
goods to the tribe for q long time
That's the talk. Now trot along and
get them screwed up"
"Oinnar said Redbear.
"Don't waste time going back" re.
piled Vandervyn. I'm stop and tell
your sister not to expect you home un.
til after the council. Get busy--Wait.
We can work in the police. Tell them
they are ordered to wait at the guard.
house until the council is under way.
They are then to march around and
post themselves behind Hardy. fully
armed. II the chiefs get angry, they
are to close up around Hardy. Are you
onf'
Redbear responded with IN eager
nod. and started Off at jog trot. VAN
dervyn smiled, turned his pony about.
and rode back to the cabin. Without
dismounting. he reached down and
knocked. the door opened a scant inch
and Olnna peeped out at the visitor.
"Lo," he said in an Indifferent tone.
II brought word to your brother that
he was wanted at once. Told him I
would let you know. He will not be
home until after the council"
thank you, SIR" murmured the girl.
"No trouble at ALL" replied Wander
vyn. you don't happen to have a
drink Of good water handy. do your
Instructive hospitality overcame the
girls shyness. Her tall young figure
and handsome face appeared az the
door swung open.
II boil the water. Do you IKE tea 7"
she asked 10 futelIke voice.
"Ali right"
When she returned to the door, he
was tightening his saddle girth. He
kept her waiting several moments be-
fore he turned to take tie cup of tea.
The hand that held the cup was rough
from hard work. but the girls cheap
calico dress was neat and clean and 1t
covered form as suppl. and erect as