Williams news., 1917-04-05

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 impasSioned 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 had resulted on other reservations from the taking of land in severalty, and advised that the council name a 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 mo- ticed this sooner than Hardy. He spoke to his granddaughter. The girl cast a timid look at Vandervyn and heSitated.
 Her brother smiled cunningly and said: 'It's all right. Tell him.
 "What's that?" queried Hardy.
 "Nothing- nothing, sir," quavered the girl. "Only, Charlie-he added something to what you said"
 q put in that you and MT. Van would try to get them big pay for the mineral lands," boldly explained Redbear.
 Surely you've no objection to that, captain" remarked Vandervyn.
 Was that all?" Hardy asked the girl.
 "Yes, sir. He only"
 every well. have no objection to the statement. But I now must de- cidedly insist upon an exact inter- pretation of what I say. Miss Red bear, you will tell me at once if your brother either fails to interpret what I tell him or makes any additions"
 "Ye-s, sir, if" faltered Oinna. Her covert glance of appeal met with a reassuring smile from Vandervyn. She ventured to look up at Hardy, and her voice became steadier: 'Yes, sir of course. Only Charlie was just trying to help, and he won't do it again."
 Eardy 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-konza insisted that he was too old to ven- ture so long a journey among the white men, five of the younger sub chiefs and headmen were chosen to represent the tribe. tf
 During the closing ceremonies of the council Vandervyn leaned forward beside Hardy, and showed him an ab- breviated but accurate memorandum of the proceedings.
 Its as well to have these things in black and white," he suggested. 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 add their marks, with Redbear and Oinna acting as witnesses. At this Wander vyn volunteered to serve as penman, and Officiously ordered Redbear to bring the chiefs over to a nearby bovlder, where they could more con- veniently make their marks on the paper.
 Hardy offered no objection to this. The council had finished its work, and there was nothing suspicious about hot tho powder would afford an easy place for the chiefs to sign. He rose and returned to his mare, while the crowd f1ocked off to the powder after their chiefs. He did not see Vandervyn lay out two papers on the top of the rock, nor did he hear the smooth ex- blanation that the agent wanted the chiefs to sign two copies of the memo randum. This statement was unheSi- tatingly interpreted by Redbear, and the chiefs, who knew by experience that most agency papers were signed in duplicate, made their crosses and thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn wrote their names on the two papers.
 Oinna ventured to whisper to her brother that the papers did not look alike. He hastily repeated the remark to Vandervyn. The girl cringed close to her grandfather. But Vandervyn showed no anger. He smiled at her in a manner that brought a blissful glow into her soft eyes, and explained that one paper gave the proceedings of the council in full, while the other consisted of brief notes. He then mur- mured to her something that at first brought a shadow into her joyous face, but in the end left her radiant with happiness.
 When the leading men of the tribe had signed the papers and Redbear and Oinna had attested as witnesses, Vandervyn thrust the documents into his ln0cl-of and fo rainin Ha rdN