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On the outskirts of the camp there dwelt an old woman with an orphan
grandchild； who had been denying herself for some time in order that the
child might live longer。 This poor teepee the girls visited often； and one
on each side they raised the exhausted woman and poured into her mouth
the warm broth they had brought with them。
It was on the very day Face…the…Wind reached Fort Ellis that a young
hunter who had ventured further from the camp than any one else had the
luck to bring down a solitary deer with his bow and arrow。 In his
weakness he had reached camp very late； bearing the deer with the utmost
difficulty upon his shoulders。 It was instantly separated into as many
pieces as there were lodges of the famishing Sioux。 These delicious
morsels were hastily cooked and eagerly devoured； but among so many
there was scarcely more than a mouthful to the share of each； and the
brave youth himself did not receive enough to appease in the least his
crav… ing！
On the eve of Angus' departure for the exile village； Three Stars； a
devoted suitor of Wi… nona's； accompanied by another Assiniboine brave；
appeared unexpectedly at the fort。 He at once asked permission to join
the relief party； and they set out at daybreak。
The lead…dog was the old reliable Mack； who had been in service for
several seasons on win… ter trips。 All of the white men were clad in
buckskin shirts and pantaloons； with long fringes down the sides； fur caps
and fur…lined moccasins。 Their guns were fastened to the long； toboggan…
like sleds。
The snow had thawed a little and formed an icy crust； and over this
fresh snow had fallen； which a northwest wind swept over the surface like
ashes after a prairie fire。 The sun appeared for a little time in the
morning； but it seemed as if he were cutting short his course on account of
the bleak day； and had protected himself with pale rings of fire。
The dogs laid back their ears； drew in their tails； and struck into their
customary trot； but even old Mack looked back frequently； as if reluctant
to face such a pricking and scarifying wind。 The men felt the cold still
more keenly； although they had taken care to cover every bit of the face
except one eye； and that was com… pletely blinded at times by the
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granulated snow。
The sun early retreated behind a wall of cloud； and the wind moaned
and wailed like a living creature in anguish。 At last they approached the
creek where they had planned to camp for the night。 There was nothing
to be seen but a few stunted willows half buried in the drifts； but the banks
of the little stream afforded some pro… tection from the wind。
〃Whoa！〃 shouted the leader； and the dogs all stopped； sitting down on
their haunches。 〃Come； Mack！〃 （with a wave of the hand）； 〃lead your
fellows down to the creek！〃
The old dog started down at the word； and all the rest followed。 A
space was quickly cleared of snow； while one man scoured the thickets in
search of brush for fuel。 In a few minutes the tent was up and a fire
kindled in the center； while the floor was thickly strewn with twigs of
willow； over which buffalo robes were spread。 Three Stars attended to
supper； and soon in the midst of the snapping willow fire a kettle was
boiling。 All partook of strong tea； dried meat of buffalo； and pemmican；
a mix… ture of pounded dried meat with wild cherries and melted fat。 The
dogs； to whom one…half the tent was assigned； enjoyed a hearty meal and
fell into a deep sleep； lying one against an… other。
After supper Jerry drove two sticks into the ground； one on each side
of the fire； and con… nected the two by a third one over the blaze。 Upon
this all hung their socks to drymost of them merely square pieces of
blanket cut to serve that purpose。 Soon each man rolled him… self in his
own buffalo robe and fell asleep。
All night the wind raged。 The lonely tee… pee now and then
shuddered violently； as a stronger blast than usual almost lifted it from the
ground。 No one stirred except from time to time one of the dogs； who
got up snarling and sniffing the cold air； turned himself round several
times as if on a pivot； and finally lay down for another nap。
In the morning the travelers one by one raised their heads and looked
through the smoke…hole； then fell back again with a grunt。 All the world
appeared without form and void。 Presently； however； the light of the sun
was seen as if through a painted window； and by afternoon they were able
to go on； the wind having partially subsided。 This was only a taste of the
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weather encountered by the party on their unseasonable trip； but had it
been ten times harder； it would never have occurred to Angus to turn back。
On the third day the rescuers approached the camp of the exiles。
There was an ominous quiet； no creature was to be seen； but the smoke
which ascended into the air in perpendicular columns assured them that
some； at least； were still alive。 The party happened to reach first the
teepee of the poor old woman who had been so faithfully ministered to by
the twin sisters。 They had no longer any food to give； but they had come
to build her fire； if she should have survived the night。 At the very door
of the lodge they heard the jingle of dog…bells； but they had not time to
announce the joyful news before the men were in sight。
In another minute Angus and Three Stars were beside them； holding
their wasted hands。
V THE CHIEF SOLDIER
Just outside of a fine large wigwam of smoke…tanned buffalo…skins
stood Tawasu… ota； very early upon an August morning of the year 1862。
Behind the wigwam there might have been seen a thrifty patch of growing
maize； whose tall； graceful stalks resembled as many warriors in dancing…
dresses and tasseled head…gear。
〃Thanks be to the 'Great Mystery；' I have been successful in the
fortun