Warriors – The Denouement
Agent Broadbrim, the conscientious devotee of peace measures, was so far successful in his mission of good will toward the recreant savages as to induce three influential chiefs, Ten Bears, White Bear and Dogtail, to return with him and hold a conference at the military headquarters with the commandant of the post. As usual, the old chiefs place the blame upon the young warriors, whom they claim they cannot control, and deny all responsibility in an affair that they regret only in so far as it may imperil the certainty of their rations. The matter ends with a display of force on the part of the military, and the subsequent ransom of the unhappy captives, who are restored unharmed to their friends. The conference is opened in the usual way by the agents, the interpreter being present to explain to each party the (to them) unknown language of the other.
Mr. B. General, I have prevailed upon these three chiefs to come and have a talk with thee in regard to those captives and stolen mules.
Ten Bears. We did not know our young men were going to steal mules.
White Bear. I was at the big talkee on the Washita. I didn't know our young men were going out. They have Acted very bad, and we big chiefs don't like it.
General. Well, Dogtail, what can you say for yourself? Can you explain how it is that your young men go out and murder and steal mules and horses ?
Dogtail. We can't always keep our young men at home. Sometimes they act bad and we can't help it. The white men kill our buffalo and antelope, and then our warriors go off and act bad, and we can't help it.
General. Will you bring in that woman and her two children all safe in ten days ?
Dogtail. May-be-so. If you make our hearts good I think ure can. Our hearts must be made good.
Mr. B. I think we can make your hearts good if you will bring them in without any trouble.
General. If you will make your men bring in that woman and her two children and those stolen mules and horses within ten days I will keep my cavalry away from your tribes. If they are not here in ten days I will make a fight for them. Now do you understand what I say ?
Dogtail. I think we can get them. You must make our hearts glad when we do. May-be-so-a-heap-good. Heap- good-big-white-chief.
General. I tell you, Mr. Broadbrim, they are a hard set. There is one thing that ought to be done. The proper authorities should restrain the pleasure-hunters from killing the buffalo for mere sport. Whenever we have trouble with any of the tribes they invariably bring up that excuse. Some action ought to be taken, and I think it comes within the compass of your office.
Mr. B. I hope we will be able to manage them without any trouble. As the last resort, General, I will have to send for thee and thy cavalry. It may produce a good effect.
General. We have but one policy to pursue, and that is to stand firm. I think by stopping their rations we will gain our point. However, if you want my troops to help at any time, let me know. I am at your service with my whole command.
Mr. B. Thanks, General. If I need your services I will send a courier. Good day. [Exit Mr. B. and Indians. An hour later a Courier arrives.
Courier. Here is a request from Mr. Broadbrim. He wants you to send troops at once.
General. Just as I expected. He says he wants troops to protect the public property. Yes, I see. Orderly, call Captain Beardslee. Adjutant, make an order to Captain Beardslee to report with his troop to Mr. Broadbrim at the Indian Agency. He is not to use force of arms only to protect the lives of persons and property.
Enter Captain Beardslee.
Captain, move your troop quietly over to the agency, and use your best judgment in rendering the agent such protec-
tion as he may require. The object of this move is to secure a surrender of that woman and her two children.
Capt B. Very well, General; good day. [Exit.
General. I anticipate some trouble before we get hold of those captives. Now, if neighbor Broadbrim will only stand firm, and not weaken himself into a ransom, we will recover that woman and her children. It is a good plan to send Beardslee there with his troop.
Enter the General's Wife.
Wife. I noticed a troop of cavalry moving out towards the Indian camp. Is there anything the matter with the warriors ?
General. No, there is no outbreak. We are trying to recover that Texas woman and her children. They have them over at the agency, and neighbor Broadbrim expressed some fears in regard to the safety of property, and I ordered out a troop of cavalry.
Wife [laughingly]. Why in the world don't you go over yourself ? Why do you leave neighbor Broadbrim to take hold of such an important matter ? You know how ugly those wild fellows are when they are about to surrender anything they have once captured. Come, go along over, and I will go with you. I want to seo those poor captives.
General. I have no objections to going over; but I was rather inclined to think that neighbor Broadbrim would prefer to make his own arrangements concerning the captives.
Wife. Well, you can go over with me. .1 want to see if that woman and her children are in want of anything to make them comfortable. The ladies in the garrison are prepared to assist in making clothing, and to help take care of them.
[The General and his Wife repair to the Indian Agency Buildings, and witness the close of the f(Mowing conference between Agent Broadbrim and the chiefs – the conversation, as usual, being carried on through the interpreter.']
Mr. B. [to Indians.] Be seated, and let us hear what thee has to say. Are thee well ? Dost thee feel tired ?
3 Chiefs [each one gives a grunt, and says,] How, how ?
Mr. B. Well, what has thee to say about those captives and mules ?
Dog Tail. Well, Mr. Calico Chief, we have got your Texas squaw and her papooses for you. Now what are you going to do to make our hearts glad ?
Mr. B. Thee can deliver the captives to Captain Beards-lee, who will take good care of them, and I will issue thee thy rations.
Dog Tail. We want money, blankets, and calico; our hearts will then be-a-heap-good.
Mr. B. I have no money for you, and I must have the woman and children. How about the mules you promised to •bring in?
Dog Tail We have got most all the mules. Our young men sold only a few of them. We want twelve hundred dollars for Texas squaw and her papooses, and the mules. May-be-so-thirty-may-be-so-forty-mules. Braves sold some.
Mr. B. I want that woman and her two children at once. Captain Beardslee will proceed to surround your tribe, unless thee comply with my request instanter. Subito, in-stanter.
Dog Tail. I want to have a-heap-big-talkee with the other big chief, and will come in men-yan-na and let you know.
Mr. B. Captain Beardslee, will thee please take such steps as will secure possession of those captives at once ? I shall not trifle any longer.
Capt B. Orderly, sound the bugle for the troop to dismount and get in* position.
[Bugler sounds the call Indians and squaws run to rear of Agent's office. Troop files in, Captain Beabdslee at the head, with drawn sabre. Indians string their bows in great exciter merit. Dog Tail manifests great anger. Bloodshed seems imminent.
Mr. B. Now I demand those captives at once.
Capt. B. We will not dilly-dally one moment. Give us the captives at once, or I will take every one of you to the guard-house. Every one of you unstring your bows, and keep your arrows in the quivers.
[The General enters, with Ms Wife on his arm. His presence 9 in a measure, quiets the disturbance. The captives are brought
forward, and received kindly by the General's Wife, who leads them away. Indians grunt and unstring their bows. Dog Tail shakes hands heartily with the General.]
Dog Tail. Big white chief heap good. Heap-a-good-chuck-Calico-chief-no-good, no-good. Heap-bad-
