Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 41, Number 176, 10 June 1916 — Page 15

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM. SATURDAY, JUNE 10. 1916.

PAGE TIIRER EL ME R RUSSELL M'GREGOR Roth Hoys and Girls Will Enjoy This Story

HPT WTT 1 IHl IK

RED

At sunrise the Sioux left the foothills and rode away toward the south. They kept a sharp watch for stray companies of horsemen, as they knew that the Blackftet. the Crows, and the Kiowas all ventured into that country to htint buffaloes. Sun Bird had seen a solitary horseman two days before, and, fearing that the unknown rider might have been a hostile scout, the lads determined to take every precaution. At midday they stopped at a water-hole to rest the ponies. As they lounged in the grateful shade of a lone Cottonwood White Otter asked Sun Bird how he had won

the right to fasten an eagle feather to his scalp-lock. Sun Bird's eyes lighted with pride as he told the story. , "You have asked me how I became a warrior. We are brothers. 1 will tell you about it. It was the time of growing things, the same as now. I went with my mother to the foot-hills to gather berries. There were many berries, and we were glad. We began to sing. Then 1 saw something moving in tha bushes, 'Mother, be careful, there is a bear near you,' I said. But I was fooled. A Kiowa warrior rose up and shot an arrow at me. 'Run to the horses,' I shouted. Two more Kiowas came hurrying through the bushes. We got to the ponies, but the Kiowas killed my horse. I was shooting my arrows and shouting the Sioux warcry. When my mother got on her horse I jumped up behind her. The Kiowas had no horses, but they ran very fast, and they kept shoot-' ing their arrows at me. After a long time we came in sight of our village and the people saw us. When the Kiowas saw the Sioux coming they became frightened and turned back, but I jumped from the horse and ran after them. Then the Sioux warriors came up and captured the Kiowas. That is how I .became a warrior." lt is good; you are very brave," said White Otter. Then Sun Bird asked White Otter to tell of his encounter with the bear. The story was scarcely begun, however, when they were startled by the sudden neighing of their ponies. A moment afterward they heard a chorus of wild yells, and as they sprang to their feet in alarm they saw a large war party riding furiously over a rise of the plain. "They are Crows!" cried Sun Bird. The enemy was almost upon them; there was not a moment to spare. Leaping upon their ponies, ! the Sioux lashed them into a furi- j ous gallop and raced away across the plains. The Crows began to shoot their arrows, but they were out of range, and the lads made no attempt to return the volley

"To the mountains! To the; clever ruse was, exposed, and the mountains!" cried White Otter, asiiads laughed at the very simplicity he turned his pony toward the t of it. .The Crows had left a few west. warriors hidden in the sage, while The piebald and the buckskin j the main company had ridden away ran shoulder to shoulder, and the J in the hope of luring the Sioux

Crows urged their ponies to a killing pace in the hope of overtaking them. The mountains seemed very far away and the Sioux realized that the race would be a long one. They knew only too well the fate which awaited them if they were caught, and their hearts weakened as they glanced anxipusly over their shoulders and saw the fore-, most riders within arrow-range. ! "The Crow horses are fast," said ! Sun Bird. "Come, we will show them how the Sioux ponies can run," cried White Otter, as he urged the piebald to a fresh burst of speed. Maddened by the sting of the heavy rawjjide quirts, which the lads applied without mercy, the Sioux ponies increased their lead. The Crows did their utmost to close the gap, but their horses were unequal to the task, and at the end of the day, when the Sioux finally neared the mountains, their pursuers were far out of arrow-range. The lads raced their exhausted ponies toward a narrow, canon-like pass which led into a small circular basin entirely closed In by high, precipitous walls of rock. Once inside, they barricaded the entrance with boulders and transformed the

j place into an impregnable strong

hold. The Crows stopped out of arrowrange to hold a council. The odds had suddenly turned against them, and they realized that an attempt to storm the place In daylight might result in heavy loss. They determined, therefore, to postpone their attack until dark. Having guessed the intentions of their enemies, the Sioux determined to take advantage of the delay. Therefore, while White Otter crouched behind the barricade to watch the Crows, Sun Bird made a hurried survey of the basin. He found that it contained a small spring and offered fair pasturage for the ponies, and the lads felt confident thSt they could withstand a siege. They realized that to reach them the Crows would have to enter the narrow pass two at a time, and they believed they could shoot them down with little danger to themselves. "The Crows will wait until dark," said White Otter. "We must watch," cautioned Sun Bird. The Sioux realized that there was a possibility of their enemies stealing into the pass under cover of the night, and as twilight gave way to dark they redoubled their vigilance. Sheltered behind the boulders, they peered anxiously in to the night, straining their ears to catch the slightest warning of danger. For a long time the stillness was unbroken, but the ominous quiet only added to their suspense. Then they heard something which aroused their suspicions. Believing that the Crows were about to make their attack, the lads fitted arrows to their bows and nerved themselves for the fight. They listened anxiously, and after a few moments they heard something moving cautiously toward the barricade. "It is a scout," whispered Sun Bird. White Otter rose to his knees and discharged his arrow. They heard a hurried pattering of moccasined feet, and they knew that they had driven off the first prowler. The Incident banished all desire for sleep, and they re mained awake through the balance of the night. At daylight there was not a pony or a warrior in " sight. The lads were astonished. They peeped cautiously over their breastwork, and found the vast plain apparent ly devoid of life. The Sioux were puzzled. Had the.' Crowa really abandoned the siege? It seemed most unlikely, and the lads were susDicious. . See, there Is a warrior biding in those bushes," whispered White Otter, pointing to a near-by clump of sage. With the discovery, the whole from the pass. "They have taken their x ponies to a water-hole; they will return," said Sun Bird. It was not long before his prediction was fulfilled, and the lads saw the riders cantering boldly across the plain. As they ap proached, the concealed scouts rose to their feet and hastened -to meet them. Then the Crows held another lengthy council. From their excited gestures it was evident that some of the warriors were in favor of attacking the pass without further delay. The majority, however, seemed opposed to this reckless proposal, and the Sioux commended their caution. Their satisfaction was short-lived, however, for several of the more impulsive warriors mounted their ponies, and raced toward the pass, brandishing their weapons and yelling fiercely. "Be brave," said Sun Bird. "I am a Sioux," replied White Otter. The lads waited calmly for the horsemen to come within range. The Crows, however, were taking no chances, and when they got within bow-shot they disappeared behind their horses, and galloped

past, discharging their arrows, the rocks. Then they relapsed infrom beneath the necks of their to silence, but the lads, knew that ponies. Their fusillade' was harm-, the attack would bo renewed. .

less, and the Sioux reserved their arrows, , Once more the Crows gathered for a spirited discussion, and the lads wondered what the result would be. , They were not long left in doubt. In a few moments a solitary warrior detached himself from the group, and rode cautiously toward the pass. He wore a handsome war-bonnet and carried himself with the dignity of a chief, and the Sioux felt sure he was the leader of the war party. Then he began to address them in the sign language. He professed a friendly heart aud asked' the lads to come out and talk with him. "He speaks with a double tongue; we must be cautious," warned White Otter. "We will, see what he says," replied Sun Bird. A 4' the lads made no reply the Crow apparently supposed them unfamiliar with his signs, and he addressed them in Sioux, "You Sioux people, listen to the words of Spotted Dog, for he is a great chief, and he speaks with a single tongue. My heart is friendly toward you. You are young men, but you are brave; it is good. If you will stop fighting and come out we will meet you as brothers. We will take you to our village and tell the people about you. We will dance the friendship dance and make you Crows. Then you can become great warriors. But I will tell you that the hearts of my warriors are black against their enemies, the Sioux. If you do not do this thing they will surely kill you. You have heard my words; think about them before you Bpeak. I have finished." For some moments the Sioux remained silent. Only the threatening flash of their eyes showed the wrath which was flaming in their hearts. They knew that the words of the Crow were false and that the whole deceitful speech was a trap to entice them to their deaths, But even had it been sincere they would have scorned the offer and chosen death In preference to traitorous disloyalty to their tribe. When their first fierce anger passed, therefore, Sun Bird rose boldly to his feet and delivered their reply. "We have heard the words of Spotted Dog, and we know that he speaks with a double tongue. Go back to your warriors and tell them that the Sioux laugh at them," he cried as he shot his arrow at the astounded Crow chief. Having offered this daring Insult the lads realized that they could expect no quarter. They knew that the siege would be maintained to the bitter end. T strengthen their courage they began to chant their war-eongs and to taunt their enemies. They challenged the Crows to enter the pass and called them women. As the second day neared its end, however, the Sioux realized that their predicament was becoming serious. They saw that their enemies were determined to starve them out, and they planned to es cape at the first opportunity. The Crows had despatched hunters to find game, and at sundown they returned with an antelope. They broiled it in sight of the Sioux, and invited them to come out and par take of the feast. The hunters had also brought two buffalo -skin gourds filled with water, and as they drank they jeered the Impris oned lad3, evidently unaware that the Sioux were in possession of the spring. When darkness finally settled upon the v plain the lads began to discuss the advisability of attempt ing to steal from the pass. While they were talking, however, theyj heard the Crow war-cry ring through the night, and they knew that thir enemies were rushing upon them ruder cover of the dark. Undismayed, they raised their voices in the Sioux battle-cry and filled the narrow pass with their arrows. Demoralized by the unexpected resistance, the Crows withdrew in disorder. For a time they contented themselves with yelling and shooting their arrows against

It was not long before another

company of volunteers rushed Into the pass, but the valiant young Sioux again repulsed them and drove them back to the. plain. Dur ing the fight White Otter received I an arrow in his shoulder, but he cut the flint. 'frtom his flesh and made light of the ijrfury. After the Crows had withdrawn, however, he hurried to the little spring to bathe the wound, while Sun Bird kept guard at the pass. . r; "Now t know what to do", said Sun Bird, when White Otter returned, "The Crows fight on "foot; it is good. They must leave 'their ponies out on the plain., 1 will crawl but of here and find them. Then, when tho Crows make another rush, I will frighten away the horses. The Crows will run out of the pass when they hoar their ponies galloping off. I will run around and shout, and they will say: 'The Sioux are hero run i for your life.' Then you can escape with our ponies. ItldO ' along the edge of the plain, and . I will capture one of the Crow horses and follow you. It is the best thing to do." "Your words are the words! of a brave warrior," replied White Otter. "It Is good; we will do as you say, but I will go with you." . "Not that would be foolish," declared Sun Bird. "Ono must stay here to bring out the horses, : The Crows have sharp ears; they will hear u if we try to take the ponies away while they are watching. We must fool them. I will do what Is In ray mind. I have-spoken it." "It Is tho best thing to do," White Otter finally agreed. Then Sun Bird went for the ponies. He muzzled them and brought .them to White Otter, "But if 'you fail to capture a Crow pony.what then?" White Otter asked, anxiously, as Sun Bird was about to start upon his dan gerous expedition. "Then I will follow you on foot; go a safe distance and wait for me." "The Crows may capture you." "Then I will give the lonely call of the coyote," said Sun Bird. "And I will follow the Crows until I set you free," White Otter de clared, loyally. "It is good I will go." , They listened anxiously, but the great plain was still. They won dered whether the Crows were holding another-council. Then, as the silence continued, Sun Bird climbed carefully over the barri cade and disappeared into the night. White otter breathed a prayer to the Great Mystery for the safety of his friend. Then he fitted -an arrow to bur bow, and waited In weary suspense. As the momenta passed, and the quiet continued, he believed that Sun Bird had had reached the plain. He knew that, once' In the open, thelad would have little difficulty in avoid ing the enemies. Then, to deceived any prowlers who might be within earshot, White Otter began to talk. He was Interrupted by the sound of stealthy footsteps close to his shelter. His first thought was that Sun Bird, having found tha way blocwed, was returning. Fearing of mistaking his friend for an enemy, he withheld his arrow. He dared not call lest he should advise the Crow that his comrade had left the pass. When the unseen prowler gave no sign White Otter knew that it was not Sun Bird and he prepared himself for the final assault. A moment later the Crows at tacked the pass, and White Otter realized that this time they were determined to reach their enemies. He fought furiously, but the Crows were not to be driven back. .They were almost upon him and the lad became desperate. He wondered what had happened to Sun Bird. Why did he delay? Perhaps he had been killed. The thought. drove White Otter into a fury. He saw a warrior climbing recklessly over the barricade, and he drove his arrow through him. The Crow fell back, but a comrade, appeared behind him. They were forcing the pass. White Otter knew that It

was only a matter of moments until ,., they would overwhelm hlm Still he determined to fight to the end.. Foot "by" foot he was forced back toward, the basin. Then, as the Crowa rushed forward to annihilate him, he heard the Sioux batIIq cry echo across the platn. and an instant afterward the thunder, of galloping horses. ' 1 Believing themselves trapped, the Crows became panic stricken. They heard their ponies racing away In a wild stampede, and they also heard the war cry of their enemiea ringlug out In various' parts of the plain. Thoroughly . demoralized, they rushed from the pass and scattered in all directions. . Aware that his opportunity was at hand, White Otter kicked a hole In the barricade, and sprang upon the piebald. $ Then he galloped the 1 . m ii

puuies uom me pass, ana reireaiea ; along the edge of the plain. As he rode he raised the piercing battlo shouts of his people. He heard Sun Bird yelling a tnort distance behind "him, and he slackened his pace. Then he heard the thud of hoofs, and JSun bird galloped beside him on a fiery littlo pinto. Realizlngthaf the third pony would only be a hindrance, he turned it free and rode away on the buck-; skin. . "You have done a brave thing; wo will escape," said White Olier. "Yes, we will "escape," laughed White" Ottorr "I have "sent the Crow ponies across the plains, and the Crows are running like frightened rabbits. But the .warrior oh guard escaped on his pony. He will bring back the horses, but we will be far1 away by that time.", When they were out of hearing of their enemies the Sioux turned from , the mountains and raced across tha plains, They rode untiL daylight, and then took shelter in a grove of cottonwooda beside a small stream. Dream Causes Little Runaway to Come Home Once there was a little girl named Ethel, May Brown and who wa always running away. One day she ran away and her , mother; found her and gave her a severo punishing. Ethel May thought .her mother very cruol and ? decided to" run away for good. She took some clothes aud her doll and slipped away. She bad walked quite a distance out Into the country before she rraw tlrorl. nnA net II wm irrnwlnir dark she became very much fright ened. Ethel. May could - see all kinds of Goblins in the growing darkness and she decided to crawl up close to a tree ' and hide h er head. After she had wrapped up in what ovtrn lnthaa uht had with her she fell fast asleep and while -sleeping she dreamed of her mother.. Ethel May could see her moth. ar'm frtvhtAnort Inntr urban nM that her little daughter had not been in hef room air night. - i I This made Ethel . May decide to go home as soon as possible and she- gathered her clothes together, j picked her doll up and started home , as fast as she could run. When she . reached home she .fell Into her mother's lap and sobbed out her story. This little girl decided that home was the best place after all and so she never went away again without first asking permission of her mother. ' , BEUNIECE UHL. Use Many Buttons "Mother, I have lost a button off my 4re." - flow often do tho girls tell their mothers this statement Did you ever stop to wonder how many buttons are used each year, in the United States? Tho answer is eight billion.. Many centuries ago before buttons were Invented, men and women were com pelled to ; use .hooka. Now the button has crowded out the hook.