HERBERT BERNARD'S MISTAKE.
The military band around the hostiles was drawing closer and closer.
General Miles, with his headquarters at Pine Ridge Agency, was
directing operations in an able manner, and was master of the
situation, though he fretted at having orders from Washington regarding
his conduct of the campaign against the redskins.
The other officers commanding columns were holding their men well in
hand, and were ready to strike a blow when the time came to do so.
In their retreat in the Bad Lands, the hostiles watched the situation
through their scouts and emissaries visiting the "Friendlies," as the
Indians who had not openly declared war were called, endeavoring to
lead them to follow in their footsteps, and strike at the pale-faces a
blow to be long remembered.
The chiefs, feeling their influence on the wane, were urging on the
Ghost Dance, and doing all in their power to ferment further trouble.
One of the commands of soldiers had moved up near to the Bernard ranch,
and the officers were surprised to know that Settler Bernard still
remained at his home against all urging to depart for safer scenes, and
also to discover that his daughter had been captured by the hostiles,
and carried to their camp.
The fact of Jennie's capture the Bernards would have kept secret had it
been in their power, but it had become known, as well as was the fact
that Lieutenant Kit Carey had gone to attempt her rescue, and had not
since been seen.
His scouts were still in position, and reported regularly everything of
importance, but their white captain had not been seen since the night
of his going in disguise into the retreat of the hostiles.
The fact that he had gone, disguised as a Sioux medicine man, the
Cheyenne scouts had kept from every one excepting the commanding
general, well knowing that if a whisper of it got out, and was carried
to the retreat, if not already a prisoner or slain, the Sioux chiefs
would soon find out the intruder.
When Herbert Bernard had seen the Sioux capture Jennie he had watched
their departure with vindictive joy, for he felt keenly that the young
girl had said that she despised him.
That there was some motive deeper than his love for her, that would
cause him to wish to make her an unloving wife, there seemed no doubt;
but whatever that motive he kept it to himself.
Returning home after feeling assured that Jennie was safe beyond all
escape from him, for he seemed to feel the most perfect confidence in
her Indian guards, he was met by his mother, who asked, anxiously:
"Herbert, my son, have you seen Jennie?"
"She went for a ride, mother."
"It was a long one, then, for she carried a roll of blankets with her,
and also took the large leather saddle bags filled with her things."
"Is this so, mother?"
"It is."
"Then she intended to escape from us?"
"Without a doubt, and I regret that she was forced to feel that she
should have to go from us. But then, my son, you and your father seemed
to wish to have her know that she was not my child, and must become
your wife, and, as usual, I was weak enough to yield. Now the poor
child has run away, and we will never see her more," and Mrs. Bernard
began to cry.
Herbert hated a scene and tears, so quickly took his departure, and
went in search of his father.
"Father, mother says that Jennie has run away."
"I knew it! I felt it! But, quick! go in chase of her," cried Vance
Bernard, strangely excited.
"No need of it, for she has been captured."
"Good! that is splendid! But where is she?"
"Well, she went away prepared to desert us forever, for she carried
what things she could with her and rode her best horse."
"And where is she?"
"But she ran upon the band of Sioux under Red Hatchet, and was captured
by them."
"What! did Red Hatchet dare to lay hands upon the child?"
"Easy, father, and hear what I have to say. You see the Red Hatchet was
obeying my orders."
"Your orders?"
"Yes, for I knew that I could not watch her, and I got Red Hatchet to
capture her and carry her off."
"Herbert, you are a fool."
"Not such a fool as you think, father."
"Why have you done what you have?"
"Well, she does not know me in the affair, and so I shall arrange to
rescue her, see?"
"No, I don't see, nor will you."
"Yes, I shall rescue her, and then will win her consent to become my
wife, for it shall be so planned that she will have to marry me or the
Sioux chief."
"She will take him in preference."
"You are complimentary to your son."
"Well, I feel that you have done wrong, Herbert, for the Red Hatchet
loves the girl far more than you do."
"Red Hatchet loves her?"
"Yes, and I'll tell you now what I never did before, that he once saved
her from some Indians who had captured her. He has always loved her
since, and has begged me to give her to him, but I would not tell you,
as I feared trouble between you and the chief. Only a few days ago he
threatened if she did not marry him he would destroy the settlements in
revenge, and now you have placed her in his hands. Do you not see that
you are a fool, Herbert Bernard?" and the settler spoke almost savagely.
"I certainly do; but I shall rescue her from him, see if I do not," was
the determined rejoinder.