Adventure Magazine Cover — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

rt yee Slit } “Ah. “> See OYE Tee aS Geran ; fe, ~ Pah fee & devil's mood reflected in his savage face. He was still incensed at Uncle Dick’s - interference with his scheme for a wide alliance of plains tribes in a mighty cam- paign against the whites. His part in the -night’s business had practically been forced upon him because of his fear of Colonel Leavenworth, who by this time must have received Wooton’s talking paper, betraying the scheme. Could his sympathies have had full play they would have been with the bandits, who at least warred on white men. Being one of the most astute dis- semblers ever produced by an Indian nation he had endeavored to conceal his true feelings and play his part realistically. Committed to the fray he philosophically decided that a bandit’s scalp was next best to taking an immigrant’s or a soldier’s scalp, but now the fighting was over he was enraged to know he had not counted a coup. Seeking an outlet for some of his venom his gaze wandered to Detel. | “The Arapahoes shout and make ready _to dance two scalps, while three of their warriors are missing. Yellow Bear must take another scalp before he can count coups with the white men.’ The prisoner did not understand a word spoken, but he correctly interpreted the eyil glance and the tone of the chief’s sneering voice. Twisting his head he caught Uncle Dick’s eye and _hoarsely begged: ‘‘Save me from the torture, boss! Don’t let them’ devils play with me! Promise to shoot me first!’’ “You shall not be tortured. Tl shoot you first,” replied Uncle Dick, working through the now silent throng of Arapahoes. “After Yellow Bear has roasted that white man and danced his scalp he can dance and sing,” continued Satanta. ‘‘The medicine of his tribe will be angry if he lets the trade stand three for two.” The shouting was hushed. Yellow’ Bear gazed gloomily over his circle of braves. Economy of man-power was ever the es- sence of Indian strategy in warfare. Many a large war-party has been successfully withstood by a smaller number of men, because the leader of the attacking force was not willing to pay a certain minimum ‘price for a complete victory. To lose three. warriors in a running fight and kill only two of the foe was in no sense a triumph. “Tf my friend Settainte had not called out his name, but had kept still after blowing the bugle, we would have killed more of the whites,” Yellow Bear bitterly retorted. “The name of Settainte is big medicine. When I shouted it the white men ran,” tersely replied the Kiowa chief, “Some of the white men were wounded and may die,” spoke up Uncle Dick. “Their friends took them away.” “A warrior counts,only the coups he knows he has made, ” sneered the Kiowa, turning his gaze on the prisoner. ““__— his snake eyes! Make him keep ’em off’n me, boss!” yelped Detel. Yellow Bear sank his head and pondered on Satanta’s scornful words. Gradually he swung his gaze about until it rested on the terrified countenance of Detel. The man was his enemy. The Arapahoes had come to the cafion with Cut-Hand for the express purpose of killing off the bad whites. The mountaineer had declared them to be bad flesh. White men offered much money for their dead bodies. Whether a dead man wore his hair or not, seemed immaterial, but to affront the tribal medicine was dis- astrous.. He straightened and, staring at Satanta, announced: “The Arapahoes will roast: that man. Settainte is welcome to watch.’ . The Kiowa did not miss the slur in this speech to the effect he had no part in the proceedings except that of an onlooker. The dark face grew convulsed with rage; then smoothed out as he mastered himself, and his voice was bland as he rejoined: “Yellow Bear is a great warrior. When he loses three braves in a surprize attack he sends three of his enemies after them. The White Bear will watch and learn from the Yellow Bear how a white man should be roasted.” ‘“‘What they sayin’, boss?” babbled Detel. “They’re reckonin’ to play me dirt, boss. I’m plumb skeered. Don’t let them prod me with their knives.” “Hush your noise! Show some spunk!” commanded Uncle Dick. Then he turned to Yellow Bear. ‘“This man is my prisoner. He knows something I want to know. He must not be roasted. He will be turned over to the Long Knives and hung. The Arapahoes shall receive a wagon-load of presents for him. They shall make many feasts for their tribal medicine. The Tur- tle, the Ear of Corn and the Flat Pipe all