But Soon After We Got There We Did Not Feel A Bit
Brave, For We Had Not Been Out Of
The ambulance more than five
minutes, when one of their criers came racing in on a very wet pony,
and
Rode like mad in and out among the tepees, all the time screaming
something at the top of his voice.
Instantly there was a jabbering by all of them and great commotion.
Each Indian talked and there seemed to be no one to listen. Several
tepees were taken down wonderfully quick, and a number of ponies were
hurried in, saddled, and ridden away at race speed, a few squaws
wailing as they watched them go, guns in their hands. Other squaws
stood around looking at us, and showing intense hatred through their
wicked eyes. It was soon discovered by all of us that the village was
really not attractive, and four scared women came back to the garrison
as fast as government mules could bring them! What was the cause of so
much excitement we will probably never know - and of course we should
not have gone there without an officer, and yet, what could one man
have done against all those savages!
We were honored by a visit from a chief the other day. He was a
Cheyenne from the village, presumably, and his name was White Horse.
He must have been born a chief for he was young, very dignified, and
very good-looking, too, for an Indian. Of course his face was painted
in a hideous way, but his leggings and clothing generally were far
more tidy than those of most Indians. His chest was literally covered
with polished teeth of animals, beads, and wampum, arranged
artistically in a sort of breastplate, and his scalp lock, which had
evidently been plaited with much care, was ornamented with a very
beautiful long feather.
Fortunately Faye was at home when he came, for he walked right in,
unannounced, except the usual "How!" Faye gave him a chair, and this
he placed in the middle of the room in a position so he could watch
both doors, and then his rifle was laid carefully upon the floor at
his right side. He could speak his name, but not another word of
English, so, thinking to entertain him, Faye reached for a rifle that
was standing in one corner of the room to show him, as it was of a
recent make. Although the rifle was almost at the Indian's back the
suspicious savage saw what Faye was doing, and like a flash he seized
his own gun and laid it across his knees, all the time looking
straight at Faye to see what he intended to do next. Not a muscle of
his race moved, but his eyes were wonderful, brilliant, and piercing,
and plainly said, "Go ahead, I'm ready!"
I saw the whole performance and was wondering if I had not better run
for assistance, when Faye laughed, and motioned the Indian to put his
rifle down again, at the same time pulling the trigger of his own to
assure him that it was not loaded.
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