The Cook County news-herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Cook County, Minn.) 1909-current, 1917-01-24
CHAPTER XlV-Continued.

CHAPTER xlV-Continued
-
Hardy was greeted with murmur
of welcome and admiration, and the
crowd made path through their
midst to the inner ring of the chiefs.
Followed by Redbear, Vandervyn and
Oinna, he walked along the passage
between the living walls of silent,
furtive-eyed Indians, and seated him.
self on the blanket that had been
spread for him beside old Ti-owa-
konza. Shortly before the start down
into the valley Vandervyn had again
borrowed his superior's writing pad
and fountain pen. He now sat down
at Hardy's shoulder, with the pad and
pen ready.
After ceremOniol1s silence the
head chiefs crier announced the pur-
pose of the council. This was fol-
lowed by declamations from three Or
ators, whose main purpose seemed to
be to give an exhibition Of their abil-
ity in painting word pictures. When
they had finished, Ti-owa-konza arose,
and warmed the hearts Of his people
with an imprisoned eulogy Of their
new friend, the chief Of the Long
knives, who had come to be a father
to the tribe.
Hardy then explained the good that
I had resulted on other reservations
from the taking of land in severalty,
and advised that the council name
delegation of chiefs to go at once to
Washington and ask for the confir
nation of the new treaty. More than
once during Redbear's Interpretation
of the acting agents statements Oinna
betrayed surprise. Ti-owa-konza no.
ticed this sooner than Hardy. He
spoke to his granddaughter. The girl
cast a tinid look at Vandervyn and
hestated.
Her brother smiled cunningly and
said: 'Tts all right. Tell him."
"What's that?" queried Hardy.
Notwithstanding SIR" quavered
the girl. "Only, Charlie-he added
something to what you said."
II put in that you and Mr.. Van
would try to get them big pay for
the mineral lands" boldly explained
Redbear.
"Surely you've no objection to THAI
captain" remarked Vandervyn.
"Was that all?" Hardy asked the
girl.
Eyes, sir. He only"
"Very we'll. I have no objection to
the statement. But now must de-
cidedly insist upon an exact inter-
probation of what I say. Miss Red
bear, you will tell me at once if your
brother either fails to interpret what
tell him or makes any additions-''
Eyes, sir, if" faltered Oinna. Her
covert glance Of appeal met with a
reassuring smile from Vandervyn. She
voice became steadier: eyes, sir, OF
course. Only Charlie was just trying
to help, and he won't do it again."
Hardy resumed his explanations and
advice. When he had finished, several
more orators had to exhibit their elo
quence. The council then proceeded
to accept the acting agents advice and
name a delegation. AS Ti-owa-konzs
insisted that he was too old to ven
lure ~ AO1S JOu1 Ivy L1t
=. white men, five of the younger sub
chiefs and headmen were chosen tt
represent the tribe.
During the closing ceremonies OF
the council Vandervyn leaned forward
beside Hardy, and showed him an alb
breviated but accurate memorandum
of the proceedings.
tn
In black and white" he suggested
1--WE could get the chiefs to sign this
before the council breaks up"
Every good. A record may be valu
able for future reference" agreed
Hardy.
He rapidly read the writing, inter
polated a few words, added a line
and gave it to Redbear to interpret
When the council acknowledged the
accuracy of the memorandum, Hardy
signed it, and asked the chiefs to ado
their marks, with Redbear and Oinns
acting as witnesses. At this Wander
vyn volunteered to serve as penman
and offciously ordered Redbear tt
bring the chiefs over to a nearby
bowlder, where they could more con
veniently make their marks on thu
paper.
Hardy offered no objection to this
The council had finished it's work, ant
there was nothing suspicious abou
.Vandervyn's suggestion that thu
.bowlder would afford an easy place
~ for the chiefs to sign. He rose ant
y returned to his mare, while the crowt
focked off to the bowlder after thei]
chiefs. He did not SEQ Vandervyl
lay out two papers on the top Of tn