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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 14, 1916)
M"" - rt'-y. BED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF h h 'i THE QUARTERBREED The Story of an Army Officer on an Indian Reservation By ROBERT AMES BENNET S$S3$33$3SSg$S$$$S$$3S$$$$S$SS3$S3$$3$$3$33S It was told in the first Installment of this story how Capt Floyd Hardy, U. 8. A., Just back In the 8tatea from the Philippines where he had put down savage uprising of Moros, arrives at Lakotah Indian reservation In the Northwest He finds a party of angry Indians firing on three white persons who have sought shelter in the canyon. The whites are old Jake Dupont, a trader, his beautiful daughter, Marie, and a young Easterner named Vandervyn. They are Ill-mannered toward Captain Hardy, but he risks his life and routs the Indians. He becomes friendly with the whites and learns that Vandervyn; nephew of a United States senator, had expected to get the agency appointment, following the killing of Nogen, the regular agent, by an Indian. Also, he dis covers that Marie Is a great granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull, and that she has been educated In a French-Canadlan convent This install ment contains some revelations of conditions on the reservation. : : CHAPTER III. Confidences. The rescuers from the agency had reined In their sweating ponies to a lope when they first caught sight of tho party on tho butto Bldo of tho coulee. They straggled down tho gulley at a walk, eight short-haired Indian police men In blue uniform, and a tall, loose lipped young holfbreed In ordinary frontier clothes. As they stopped In the stream to water their ponies, each furtively studied the rider who was ap proaching on the big, rangy mare. "You're too late, Charlie," called Vandervyn. "Captain Hardy climbed the butte, and the wholo bunch bit out." "Soldiers?" queried tho hulfbreed. "No, he's alone our now agent," ex plained Vandervyn as his pony brought him alongside Hardy at the edgo of tho stream. "Captain, this Is Charlie Red bear, our issue clerk and Interpreter." "Interpreter?" repeated Hardy. "Red bear do any of the police understand English?" 'No, sir, only a few words," mumbled the hulfbreed. "Tell them I am a captain of the horse soldiers tho Longknlvcs. I have been sent here to be tho agent" Redbear Interpreted In musical La kotah, accompanying his words with wlft signs. The swnrthy policemen grunted approvingly, and their leader rolled out a sonorous reply. The half breed Interpreted mechanically: "He says your eye Is straight. "Ho says they are ready to trail and fight tho In dians whoso hearts are bad." "They ore not to pursue the party," ordered Hardy, "I shall call a coun cil of the chiefs, and ascertain tho cause of tho tribal unrest. Tell them." Redbear hesitated, and looked uncer tainly nt Vundervyn. Tho chief clerk spoke to him In sharp reproof : "Do as you're told, Charlie. Captain Hardy Is now In command of the reservation." Tho halfbrecd stared In astonish ment, but hastened to Interpret. At oncq tho faces of tho policemen be came stolid. They cast covert glances at Vandervyn. Without seeming to no tice their sudden change of manner, Hardy selected four to net "as escort to the Indian trader and his daughter. The rest of tho party followed him back up the gulley. From the first the mare walked out In the lead. She would soon have left behind even Vandervyn's quick-stepping pinto had not her rider happened to glance about and catch the troubled expression on tho younger man's face. Hardy waited for him to come along side, and gravely remarked: "I wish . to express my regret, Mr. Vandervyn, ' that my detail hero has deprived you of your expected promotion." ' Vandervyn's small mouth curved with a cynical smile, but softened to a more agrecablo expression ns ho met the other's gaze., "You admit it?" ho muttered. "Having accepted tho detail, I cannot now ask to bo relieved," said Hardy. "But tho extra pay was not ono of tho Inducements. Permit mo to suggest that arrangements can bo mado to di vert to your salary the amount In ex cess of my regular compensation as an officer." The offer was as unexpected ns It was generous. Vandervyn flushed, bit his Up, and replied half Inaudlbly: "You needn't think just becnuso No, that's not quite You may mean well, but that's no excuse " "My fault, sir. Pardon mo," apolo gised Hardy. Vandervyn looked ahead at tho mountains, considered, and turned to bis companion with what seemed a cordial smile. "I am not used to be ing patronized, captain ; but as you did not mean It that way" "Not at all." Vandervyn nodded. "You now un derstand that I'm not ono of tho com mon run of Indian service employees. X was slated for attacho to our em bassy at tho Court of Saint Jamc celebrated tho coming event with some friends, and wound up by heaving a brick through a window of the Whlto House. Uncle shipped me out hero un til the storm should blow over." Hardy may have recalled tho huzlngs In which ho had shared at West Point His only comment was: "You were fortunate to get any appointment." "Oh, I don't know," curclessly replied Vandervyn. "I didn't wake tho presi dent, and I had some of my wad left Tho watchman sent me homo In a taxi. But the lnfarnal grafter must have wW$5555S t?$g$$$$$g$$g peached. I got this Instead of Lon don." "Best tiling for you." "You think so?" said Vandervyn, his wide-open eyelids drooping. "I've been six months In this God-forsaken jump-lng-off place. I wouldn't have stayed six days If It hadn't been for Marie." "Miss Dupont seems to bo a very spirited young woman," dryly com mented Hardy. "Wult till you see her put on dog. She was three or four years at a con vent In Ottawa. They must have farmed her out as a parlor-matd In some select British family. She can glvo a perfect Imitation of a real lady when she chooses." "Yes?" said Hardy. "You'd take It for the sure-nuff ar ticle," went on Vandervyn. "And that's hot all. Sho can cook like on nngel. Says she took a course In domestic science. But It must bo hereditary. I'll give odds, ono of her paternal ances tors was a French chef. French, that's the word. Tho way sho has with men 1 Even this halfbrced Redbear thinks ho 1b In tho running. Nogen wob mad over her. He even would have married her. But he was not a mnn of family or culture. Fancy Jnke Dupont "I'm Not Used to Being Patronized, Captain." for a f uther-ln-luw 1 Only thing, his squaw died five or six years ago. That was when ho sent tho. girl to Ottawa." Hardy looked at tho mountains and changed tho subject : "May I ask you to glvo tho particulars of the killing of Mr. Nogen?" Vandervyn's eyelids drooped low and opened again In a wide, guileless stare. "There's llttlo to tell. Nogen and I and Redbear wero riding Into the moun tains. Wo mot the murderer. Ho nnd Nogen quarreled. Ho shot Nogen killed him. Then Redbear and I fired, and ono of us got him wo don't know which of us It was. That's all. You'll find It In the coroner's report. I kept a copy In tho ofllco at the agency." "Strango that an Indian should at tack a white man that way," observed Hardy. "Was tho cuuso ascertained?" Vandervyn twisted tho tip of his blond mustache. "Well, It may be all talk, but I guthcr that tho troublo was over this ore-buying. Nogen thought it a good thing to encourage. The chiefs felt ugly becauso tho goods wero not paid to theni Instead of to tho laborers tho bucks and squaws who dug the ore, you know. Tho chiefs stirred up a lot of bad blood. No doubt they In stigated tho murder. They want to boss tho tribe their own way." "Let us trust that wo shall have them In hand beforo fall." "Fall?" echoed Vandervyn. "You ex pect to stay all summer? That shuts mo out of my promotion." "You may receive tho appointment of attache." "Perhaps I don't want it just now. You forget Mario." Tho gravity of tho officer's face hard ened to sternness. "Mr. Vundervyn, kindly bear In mind that, as agent of this reservation, I am In chargo of tho moral as well us tho material welfaro of every member of tho tribe." Vandervyn quivered like a thorough bred flecked with tho lash. His volco shook with passion : "Damn your Impudence 1 Til havo you understand you'ro not talking to ono of your rough-neck recruits. My ancestors were gentlemen beforo yours wero over heard of." "I regret that you do not seem to have Inherited their gentlemanly man ners," came back tho cool rejoinder. Vnndervyn's reddened fnco went crimson. Tho veins of his forehead be gan to swell. But with a strong effort ho repressed his anger nnd forced a smile. "You went mo ono better, Hardy. I throw down." The officer responded with instant sympathy : "I sec no reason why we should not become, friends and work together for tho good of tho tribe." "It's a go," agreed Vandervyn, nnd as if cleared of nil 111 temper by his out burst, ho began n lively conversation on ofllclul society In tho national capi tal. Tho party topped the rise between tho river and Sioux creek, and rodo down the winding road that skirted its willow-fringed bank to tho crossing of tho stream. As they rounded the Bpur ridge on the far side, Redbear rode up on Hardy's right nnd pointed to a small cabin among the quaking asps In the mllc-wtdo curve of the stream to the left "See my house, sir," he said. "Looks well built" remarked Hardy, Ms floldglasBes at his eyes. "Quito new, I see. You have still to put dirt on this corner of the roof." "And to put a squaw Inside," added Vandervyn. The hnlfbreed's jaw muscles twitched, but he d'd not look away from Hardy. "I got a letter from my sister OInna, She says sho can't stay at school. She says sho will die If they make her stay at school. I want her to come and cook for me till I get mar ried." "How old is she?" "More than seventeen. She is sick to come. Sho says she will die." "Very well. But you must take good care of her until sho Is married." "Yes, Blr. I've got a lot of money, replied tho halfbrecd, with the prone ncss of a weak nature to boost "I've got almost " " Almost enough to buy you two squaws," cut in Vandervyn. Redbear started to speak, caught the other's eye, and reined In his pony. Hardy did not notice this. They had rounded tho too of the spur ridge, and he was gazing up the green valley that lay outstretched In a circle of hills larger and far moro picturesque than tho Catskllls. Sioux creek swirled out of a canyon nt tho far end, to meander down a winding channel fringed with bushes and aspens and other small trees. On a natural terrace, or "bench," two miles up, the glasses showed the log buildings at tho agency. 'Midway down to Redbcar's cabin but across tho creek was n large post-und-rall corral. Van dervyn had resumed with zest his talk about the social gaieties of which he had been deprived for half a year. Hardy said little, but his eye was busy taking in tho natural features of the beautiful valley. When they enmo to the slope of the bench, or terrace, Vandervyn noticed tho Intent look of his companion, and Inquired: "Well, what do you think of It? Talk about Siberian exile I That Is tho Dupont place over here." nardy glanced at the large double cabin a hundred yards off to tho right of tho road. The broad front porch gave It a homelike appearance. Tho two cabins beforo him were very Email. Beyond them stood tho big agency warehouse. Its overhanging upper story showed that it had been built for uso as a blockhouse, but tho many windows had rendered It less defens ible than ono of tho cabins. Tho only persons In sight wero tho two Indian police who had been left In charge by Redbear. "Well?" repeated Vandervyn. "Not an easy place to defend," suld Hardy. "Where Is the office and the guardhouse?" "The ofllco Is In tho near front cor ner of the warehouse. The police quar ters aro In tho other end. You see tho whlto tepees over there across tho creek? Most of the relations of tho poll co camp near tho agency. This llrst cabin is Nogen's yours, I should say. Tho second Is mine." "Your quarters? May I ask you for a bite of lunch as soon as I havo rubbed down my mnre?" "I board with tho Duponts, but I can scare up a cold lunch," said Vandervyn. As they dismounted, Redbear camo up nnd successfully curried favor with the new agent by offering to curry his mnre. Ho led her away to the low brush stable beyond tho warehouse. After lunch, though still wenry from his long ride, Hardy put In the rest of tho day inspecting tho agency property nnd examining tho accounts of tho two clerks. With tho exception of two or threo small Items on Redhear's books, everything checked accurately. Vundervyn brought bacon, coffee, crackers and canned food, and tho now igent cooked supper with tho skill of nn old campaigner. After thoy had eaten, tho chief clerk produced cigars In anticipation of a social evening. But , nnrdy was so drowsy that he UBkcd to bo excused. Tho moment ho was alone, ho laid his rifle nnd automatic pistol In tho bunk, blow out tho candle, and tumbled In on his blankets, without troubling to closo either the door or tho one small window. Tho next morning Hardy and Van dervyn wero seated in tho ngency of flco when Redbear came In nnd started to shufllo nrotind to his desk, on the other side of tho ofllco partition. "Walt I" said Hardy. "I wish tho chiefs and headmen of Uto tribe sum moned to meet me In council as soon ns possible." "It Is a day's ride to the camps farthest back In the mountains," re marked Vnndervyn. Hardy considered, and looked up at Redbeur. "Docs not this tribo use smoke sig nals?" "Not for a long time, not slnco I was a boy, sir. I never learned how to do It" "That old sergeant of police will know," predicted Hardy. "Cornel" Vandervyn lingered behind tho oth ers, and followed them only to tho rear corner of the warehouse. When he had seen them ride off across Sioux creek towards tho highest of the moun tains that encircled the valley, he went back into the office, opened the safe, and carefully sorted ovCr Its con tents. All letters addressed to the late agent and to himself ho took out and locked In his desk. Meantime Hardy and Redbear with the police sergeant passed through the camp of the families of tho police, where they added two old bucks to their party. A pony trail led up through the pines on the mountainside to the bnre granite crag of the summit Mid afternoon found the Indians Btandlng around a greenwood Are, alternately covering It with a blanket and permit ting puffs of the dense smoke to rise la the still air. In less than half an hour Hardy's glasses showed him an answering smoke on a peak fifteen or twenty miles distant When he called attention to it the police sergeant pointed out still another Bmoko signal off to the left of tho first and several miles far ther away. The old bucks turned from the fire and started down to where the mare and ponies had been left "The chiefs will come tomorrow," Redbear interpreted their answer to Hardy's inquiry. The jaded buckboard ponies were tugging their load up the slope of the terrace when Hardy came down tho line of agency buildings at a gallop. Marie Dupont was driving; but on the scat besldo her was a brown-eyed, ollve-sklnned girl, who averted her handsomo faco with childish shyness as Hardy wheeled his mare and reined up'nlongslde. Mario flushed under the officer's di rect gaze, though, unlike her compan ion, she did not seek to avoid It Ho raised his hat with punctilious polite ness. She bowed, and, gazing back at him with a level glance, quietly re marked: "Good afternoon, Captain Hardy. I have brought your luggage." "That was very kind of you," snld Hardy as he glanced at tho other girl. Mario smiled In Instant appreciation of the fact that ho had spoken to her as to an equal. Sho patted her com panion's work-reddened hand with her gloved fingers. "This Is ChnrAe Red bear's sister OInna. They did not treat her well at school, so she ran away to como home. I want her to live with me; but she says she must be with her brother. You will not send her back?" The young girl looked at tho new agent with a smllo of.tlmld appeal, und ns quickly drooped her head In bashful embarrassment. Hardy's gaze soft ened, and he answered reassuringly: "Redbear spoke of his sister. It will be all right" "You aro most kind to say It," ap proved Marie with the condescension of a gracious young queen. "Captain Hardy, wo shall expect you to dine with us this evennlg. I shall send over your luggage In a few minutes. You need not dress for dinner." CHAPTER IV. The First Card. As Hardy was unpacking his scant wardrobe, an Indian boy camo to tho door, thrust in his head aud announced gutturally : "M'reo him say you come six." Hardy nodded to tho boy and signed him to go. Ten minutes later ho stepped up on tho porch of the Dupont house. Before he could knock, Du pont stepped from tho rear door of his trade store, which faced away from the porch. "nello, Cap I" ho greeted tho guest with bluff cordiality. "Glad to sco you. Walk right In." Hardy crossed tho threshold and paused. Tho floor was covered to re- scmblo wnxed hardwood. Tho oriental rugs wer,orenl, Tho walls wero pa pered with' a quiet tapestry pattern. Tito ndobo .flreplaco was Bet with a modern grntu and faced with a tllo mantel. Tho few pictures wero well chosen. There was no sign of tho guns, skins and Nuvnjo blankets that Hardy had expected to sec. .Vandervyn, lolling In nn easy chnlr beside the small, well-filled bookcase, looked up and smiled In boyish enjoy ment of tho new agent's surprise. Dupont grunted apologetically : "Don't think I'm plumb crazy. It's all Mnrle Said sho couldn't live hero unless'' sho had things Just like In Ot tawa. Cried till I had to give In." "Don't you let him con you, cuptnln," chuckled Vandervyn. "It was Jnko who wept becauso Marie sent off tho mall order nnd ho had to foot tho bills." "Well, anyway, there wnsn't nobody sho could hire to do the work, and I had to go out oh roundup." Dupont sought to cover his discomfiture. "She set to and done it all her own self. I didn't have to pay n cent for that Sit down, Cap. Mnko yourself to home. Hey, Marie I you there? Here's Cap Hardy. Bring In that bottle me nnd Mr. Vnn wns sampling, will you?" Hardy picked the stlffest chair In the room, sat down nnd promptly rose to n position of polite nttentlon. A young lady had appeared in tho doorway nt the side of the room a young indy In a semldecollcte gown, of lines Irre proachable, the creamy whiteness of her full, round throat displayed. Her mass of coal-black hair was dressed In tho very latest mode. Her checks were as highly colored as If rouged. Vandervyn gazed at her with the brand of admiration thnt passes over the footlights from the first-row scats to the prettiest girl in the chorus. Hardy bowed ns he would have saluted his colonel's lady or the daughter of a Moro chief, If either had been his hostess. Tho girl's eyes sparkled as she noted his change of dress, his Immaculate linen, and clean-shaven chin. His bow won a Bmlle that may huve been due either to grqtlfled vanity or to a commendable self-respect She greeted him In a tone that caused Vandervyn to straighten In his chair. "It Is a great pleasure to have you dine with us." "Tho pleasure Is mine, Miss Dupont," declared Hardy. "You've hit It, Cap," put In Dupont "You can Just bet your bottom 'dollar on It you won't kick yourself for com ing when you git to her feed-trough." The girl's sable-black eyes dilated and her perfectly molded chin rose a fraction of an Inch. She placed the tray on a tea table, bowed composedly, and left the room. Vandervyn looked nt Hardy with an Ironical smile. The silent mockery was wasted. Hardy was watching Dupont uncock tho whisky bottle. i "Ono moment, Mr. Dupont," ho snld. "As you are my host, the question is nn awkward one to nsk yet is there not n luw or n rule of the Indian bu reau against bringing liquor upon a reservation?" Dupont stored around nt tho In quirer In blank surprise. Beforo he could find words to answer, Vnndervyn replied for him: "According to the strict letter of the law, captain, you aro right You can't fancy that Jake would bo fool enough to sell liquor to tho Indians?" "By Gnr, you bet I don't not when It's ten-year-old rye," qualified Dupont. "You can't git no better stuff out of Canada. Marie made me buy some wine, too, to celebrate your coming. She said It was up to us to loosen up, seeing n you had shooed off them bucks." "Ah, slnco you put It that way," Hardy accepted the explanation. "I must ask you, however, not to bring anything more of tho kind across the river." "Of course he will not, If, you ob ject," assured Vandervyn. "Nogen didn't read tho law ns you do; but If -P3 "The Chiefs Will Come Tomorrow," Interpreted Redbear. you bellovo In dry weather for our selves as well as for the Indians, you'ro tho boss." "Sure, and here's one all round to show thcro ain't no hard feeling," Bald Dupont Ho poured out three drinks, each mensured to tho brim of a whisky glass. Ills own and Vandervyn's dis appeared at n gulp. Hardy took a sip, nnd asked for a seltzer. The bottle was handed around another time and Aiiml Mm tint vot flnlnhnil with Ilia first drink. Bat Dupont had already 4?i. V TdB' M begun to mellow nnd was In gay mood. "Hpro's to your boiled shirt, Cap," bo toasted. "Stand-up collar and a white shirt It's sure a high-toned celebration. Bet ter wcur 'em careful. You'll have to mall 'em a hundred miles to the near est Chinaman when they git dirty." "Cheaper to throw them away, and send n mall order to Chicago for new ones," put in Vnndervyn. Ho added, as ho adjusted tho fashlonnblo tie that was hardly In keeping with his gray flannel shirt: "But you'll soon take to tho local styles." , Marie again appeared In tho door way. Sho bowed to tho guests with 1m prcsslvo formality. "If you will enter, gentlemen." Hardy went In between Vandervyn nnd Dupont Ho avoided tho girl's proud gaze by looking about at the dining room. It was as tfltlflod as the parlor and no less tasteful. Tho small "If You Will Enter, Gentlemen." oval table was spread with a cloth of snowy French damask. The sliver wns real antique ware. Tho unsmiling hostess bowed Hardy to the seat of honor. "This here layout Is Marie's," ex plained Dupont "She was bound to turn herself loose to even up on what happened nt the river yesterday. Needn't figure on us dishing up the same rations regular." VI have yet to learn whether I am to have the pleasure of boarding with Miss Dupont," remarked Hardy. "You sure have, if you'ro ready to shell out for It. Grub comes high here." "And Marie is a real chef," addcl Vandervyn. , Hardy watted until the Indian bo,1. had served the soup. At last he suc ceeded In fixing the cool gaze of his hostess. "Pleaso do not consider that hospitality requires you to do me the favor, Miss Dupont," he said. "I do not wish to Intrude, highly ns I should appreciate " The deference of his manner soothed the girl's wounded pride. Sho smiled, and combined a friendly response with u side thrust nt her father: "Indeed, we shnll bo delighted to have you Captuln Hnrdy I, because of your Company, nnd Pere becauso of the cash." "By Gar, he won't git no better feed In no hotel," vowed Dupont "I can foresee that," agreed Hardy. His faith was justified by each suc cessive course. ThoughalI the vege tables had come out of cans, they were prepared with consummate skill. The trout were fresh from tho creek; the grouse and beef hdd been hung exactly the right length of time In the dugout Icehouse; the champagne was frappe. Between the girl's vivid beauty, the good cheer, nnd the cordiality of his companions, his usually half-sad and wholly severe expression 'had given placo to genial animation. Upon the return of the hostess from ono of her, visits to tho kitchen he spoke to her In n tone that drew a stare of open resentment from Van dervyn : "You nre wonderful, Miss Du pont, wonderful 1 One day in an In dlun nttnek, followed by a fifty-mile drive; tho next, fifty miles back, and such a dinner as this!" "First the great-granddaughter of Sitting Bull, then la bonno culslnlere Frnncutse," flashed back the girl. "Where Is tho wonder? Two streaks of heredity, plus childhood In the sad dle and a course In domestic science;" "Yet you must be fatigued.". "When I have dono what I set out to !do, then I permit myself to consider whether I need rest, There was a time when my red ancestors had no horses. They ran down their game afoot" "You will always ride or drive,"" bantered Vandervyn. "By Gar, sho won't never be driven," declared Dupont with conviction. Vnndervyn smiled, over his cham pagne glass.. Ho did not notice that Marie was looking at him. But Hardy was watching her. He saw her proud faco soften and her brilliant eyes melt with tender passion. His own face became grave. A moment later she was rallying him for his seriousness, and her animation booh compelled him to forget what he had seen. Vandervyn had not been mistaken In his assertion that she could act the lady to perfec tion when sho chpso. Though the cigars proved to be Havanns, they were brought In much sooner then suited Hnrdy. if:fiJ'rfifrS'jf!'i'r'r'r& Do you believe that Marie and ft Captain Hardy will become real ly ogod friends? Will he get her Influence for his purposes In dealing with the dissatisfied In dians? ' (TO UB CONTINUED.) iwSMC ) s- V T Fk J s ','