The Lamar register., 1917-02-07

! dotted with their ponies. The INDIANS
We're assembled In a dense crowd
! the men in a deep band around the
! chiefs, the women and children out
side.
Hardy was greeted with u murmur
Of welcome and admiration. and the
crowd made a path through their
midst TO the inner ring of the chiefs.
/ Followed by Redbear, Vanderyyn 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 ceremonlOus silence the
head chiefs crier announced the pur-
pose of the council. This was fol-
lowed by destinations from three or
/ ators. whose main purpose seemed to
( be to give an exhibition of their abil-
/ ity In painting word pictures. When
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 thar
had resulted on other reservations
from the taking of land In severalty,
and advised that the council name Il
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 timid look at yandervyn and
hesitated.
Her brother smiled cunningly and
said: ITS all right. Tell him."
"Whnt's thatT' queried Hardy.
Notwithstanding, SIR" quavered
the girl. ''Only, Charlie-he added
something to what you said"
81 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 that,
captain" remarked vandervyn.
was that all?" Hardy asked the
girl.
"Yes, sir. He only"
VERY well. l have no objection to
the statement. But / now must de
cldedly insist upon an exact inter
probation OF what l say. Miss Red
/ bear, you will tell me at once II your
brother either fails to interpret what
/ 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"
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-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.
During the closing ceremonies of
the council Vandervyn leaned forward
beside Hardy, and showed him an alb
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 10 sign this
before the council breaks up.
VERY good A record may be vulu-
able for future reference" agreed
Hardy.
He rapidly read the writing. inter
polated a few words, added line,
and gave it to Redbear to interpret.
When the council acknowledged the
accuracy of the memorandum, Hardy
signed 1t, 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 nearby
bowlder, where they could more con
veniently make their marks on the
paper
Hardy offered no objection to this.
s,gN a