The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-12-31

Even the uCLle incident OF RaIpn de-
Tense of Hawk Feather was robbed of
it's good effect by the unprovoked at
tack made by the trooper, in spite of
the fact that the boys prompt inter-
ference had saved the young Indian
from harm. Hawk Feather was not
unmindful of the debt he owed for that
interference, but his feelings did not
count in a grave dispute between his
people and the government.
Deeming themselves wronged and
knowing only one way to get redress,
the Indians went on the warpath.
The crisis came within two weeks
after the conference at the fort, and,
although l had been warned by the
colonel that it was almost sure to
come, preferred to remain and have
another taste of active service, for
had seen some fighting during the
Civil War. Indeed, l do not believe
that l could have got away if 1 had
desired to do so, for the Indians left
no avenue of escape unmatched
One evening scouts brought intelli-
gence that made the colonel decide
to take the offensive and move to-
wards the enemy next morning. He
readily gave me permission to go with
him as sort of volunteer aid, and
when the battalion was mustered on
the parade ground soon after day
break, | was a good deal surprised to
see the majors son Ralph there,
armed and ACQUIRED precisely as was.
He had begged his father that he
might be allowed to go with the party,
and the major, being very proud of
the boys physical strength and gal
liant spirit, had given his consent.
The scene that met us as we rode
out upon the prairie was one of great
beauty. 1t was the first week of May,
and the fresh grass of spring made
the broad pine delight to the eye.
The monotony of the green harbage
was broken to thousands of pieces by
the bright tints of wild flowers.
In some places the blossoms were
so thick that our horses hoofs crushed
them by the hundred. This was the
poetry of our expedition; the prose
came later on
We had come upon the hostiles early
in the afternoon and had been fighting
with varying fortunes, for three hours.
Slowly, but steadily we were now fore
ing them back over rocky ridge in
which they had found Judgment
Our men fought with the utmost gal
lantry, but none more so than the Tit
tie major" as they called Ralph. A
number Of brave deeds of his came
under my own eye, and l took time to
wonder at the boys GOODNESS and cour-
age.
Finally, the colonel determined to
carry the enemy's position by assault,
and horses being useless on the ground
the the advance would carry us over,
he ordered the battalion to. dismount
Then, forming his lines with the skill
of the old Indian fighter, he led us to
the attack.
/ am not going to describe the
details of that fearful conflict The
central figure in the bloody drama, so
far as we are concerned, is the boy
Ralph.
He seemed like one transformed into
the very incarnation of battle He
threw himself into positions of the
greatest danger with reckless indiffer-
ence to even the common dictates of
prudence.
In our final charge over the rocks, l
found myself quite near the boy. He
had met big painted warrior face to
face, and his rifle being empty, he had
dubbed the weapon and rushed to-
ward the Indian, intending no doubt
to brain him where he stood.
His burly antagonist as if disdaining
to fire at so young foe, dropped his
gun, seized that of Ralph, as the latter
aimed blow at him and jerked it out
of his hands. Then, with the boy COM
pletely in his power, he drew his knife
and raised it to strike
/ rushed toward them, but before
could reach the spot slight form
sprang forward, there was a flash of
steel and the warrior fell dead at the
boys feet.
Hawk Feather had paid his debt;
but, in Staying the warrior, he had
made himself amenable to the veng-
ance of his own people, and he placed
himself under our protection.
BY this time the battle was over and
the Indians all killed, captured or in
retreat. Hawk Feather went back to
the fort with us, and when peace was
established, he asked to be sent to one
of the Indian schools in the East.