The Sunset Trail

g one's money among the Whites, and means just as bad a mess in one's social and business affairs. One's smell-feast friends of the day before

n the council or rode knee to knee with him in the charge no longer knew him by mark of face or sound of name. His squaws moped over the camp-fire with bowed heads; his pappooses whimpered with the shame of what they felt but did not understand

war. He was rich in robes and ponies, in pappooses and dogs and wives. The records of the "medicine" lodge showed him entitled to sing of the conquest of four scalps-one Pawnee, two Sioux, and one the

n of the boil and swirl, and the shifting quicksands under hoof, his pony lost its foothold and went down. In the splash and water-scramble that ensued, the Lone Wolf and his half-choked pony reached the shore; bu

eby and therefore destroyed. It would be a stain, as even the half-opened paleface eye may see, were it taken from one by the conquering arm of a foe. It is as deep a stain to part with it, as the Lone Wolf parted with his. Such manner of loss makes plain that, because of crimes or cowardices unknown, the justice-loving ghosts have interfered to stri

one Wolf, when now his "medicine" was lost, killed his pony, broke his pipe-stem, and blackened his face. In this sorrowful guise he went afoot the long journey to his home

ile others fell about him knocked over like ninepins, nothing save and except one bullet from a Gatling was able to leave its mark upon him. The Gatling had nicked him; and the furrow it turned wa

he blizzard-whipped plains, and frozen and starved and prayed and mourned for seven nights and days. In the end, cold and hunger and self-hypnotism did their work, and the Lone

life. Inside the otter-pelt "medicine" bag were to be hidden charmed tobacco, slips of sacred cedar, a handful of periwinkle shells, as well

d in the dark of the moon, are as children's toys; and so thought the Lone Wolf. When complete, he hung his "medicine" about his neck, and felt himself a proud, big warrior and a man. He had never been parted from it, were it day or night, or war or peace. He had even worn it during his school days at Carlisle, saving it from curious professors, who might have decried it as some heathen fetish, by we

it upon earth, all men have known that one may create his "medicine" but once. Any second attempt serves only to introduce one to a covey of malevolent spirits, wh

hope for th

ters of his otter-skin "medicine," Mr. Goldsmith wrote a three act oratorio, called it "The Captivity" and sold it to D

ndemned with

ill on ho

ang that re

pectati

he gleaming

nd cheer

darker grow

bright

pe therein set forth is as prevalently sweeping among savages as among civilised folk. The Indian does not hope for the same things, but to what extent and in what direction his anticip

pen, should one lose one's "medicine," a single gateway of relief. One might conquer, in such pinch, an enemy, strip him of his personal "medicine," and thus redeem one's self. The "medicine" of th

wnee or inadvertent Sioux. Hundreds of these at this season would be met with among the buffaloes. True, it would be a long, h

e, were his pony and his arms. These showed of the best, and this weapon-care was not without a reason. More than ever would the Lone Wolf require a pony tireless as the storm and as swift, and lance and bow and knife without flaw or fault; for now when he had lost his "medicine," he was singularly undefended and weak. No one knew better these latter helpless truths than did the Lone Wolf. It was by no means sure that a child might not overcome him-he who, but a f

ghosts might still be riding in his disgraceful company, were bad ghosts. So far as they did anything they

le as himself, the ghosts would not choose between them. In such miserable coil of coyote-snap-coyote, the disgusted ghosts would stand af

st war pony. If he happened upon a Pawnee or Sioux, disreputable in the eyes of gods and men, he might yet be saved from out those fire

xclusive ghost need not feel ashamed, the Lone Wolf knew the upcome. His fate was written; he was no better than a dead Cheyenne. To these poor conditions the Lone Wolf tacitly agreed. And wherefore no? What death

could only know how weak when he had tried them, and the news might come too late-he decided to purchase a rifle of the palefaces. Such a weapon would not have been sapped of its powers by any former possession of his own, and he might possibly corral that "medicine" h

of respect for one another. Also they had met since at sundry agencies; and in good truth it was the Lone

k out?" asked Mr. Masterson,

all he had been to Carlisle. He opened and closed his te

dier," said

sounded rally and charge on his stolen bugle, the property of the state. The Indians style such

crave his aid in the rifle's selection. This was highly important. Some bad paleface might otherwise sell him a gun that was bewitched. Mr. Masterson would pr

face clothes as being extremely "bad medicine." Of course, there was also a commonsense side to the latter move, since anyone who sticks to coat and trousers when, without shaking his position, he may be freely comfortable in breech-clout and blanket, is an unimaginable ass. Yes; in Dodge the Lone Wolf would be driven to speak English. However, it would not last

Opera House that dramatic organization known as the Red Stocking Blondes. The advent of this

whom Mr. Wagner roped on a former memorable evening. This first violin was thoroughly the artist.

to several of the first violin's mo

I hears it 'leven years ago in St. Looey,

of waltz music, and when he finished, the emotional Cimar

of hyperbole, "you could play a fiddle with you

mall, lean, shy, silent, timid, with a long, sad, defeated face. His back was humped, as were the backs of Aesop, Richard of Glost

r the troupe was on the road to Broadway, and six weeks more would find its members in Rector's, Shanley's, Brown's and Lüchow's, relating their adventures to guileless ones w

gacy, had made himself master of an opera company. It was one of those terribl

nd her voice sounded like a man in a cistern. There are, in divers parts of Europe, just such beings as this contralto who, yoked w

stage. The contralto in question was wholly aware of these advantages. Acting on that knowledge, this formidable woman arose one New York morning, conveyed Mr. Pepin to the Littl

se of a losing week the treasurer fled with the receipts, and a host of creditors, the sheriff at their hungry head, tore Mr. Pepin into insolvent bit

ve argued, had shot its bolt and done its worst. Most folk, after an unbiased review, would have coincided with

in. She even taunted him with his misshapen back. Then she beat him. When he ran from her and concealed hims

ne purpose of Mr. Pepin was to keep out of New York and thereby out of the clutches of his contralto, for whom-since she never left that metropoli

ll had suffered an orchestral setback. In the midst of the evening's gayety five c

nd, not to strike up. Had Mr. Peacock's signals been heeded there would have been no trouble in the Dance Hall, fo

bserving those five couple where only four should be, and careless of the pantomime of Mr. Peacock, with a brief exultant remark to the pianist that

ever much this may be of value as a statement concerning grass, it fails when one attempts its application to quadrilles. Instead of benefiting the public, he who sought to make two couples danc

f into the "Arkansas Traveler"-to which music, be it known, more men

r forward

nd being not four but six, fell at once into a general knot. Upon the knot growing w

used, because the one killed was that troublemongering violinist who, with his "Arkansas Traveler," had sh

is blotting out none the less became a common injury. There was no one to put in his place; w

ed the harp, and nothing else will soothe him. Wherefore, while Mr. Peacock's pianist-he had lived through that overstocked quadrille untouched-might hammer out a dance tune, the atmosphere was sorely

elf and fortunes which those obsequies inferred. Whether that be so or no, at the end of the week when the Red Stocking Blondes closed their brilliant engagement and on the breath of Dodge's plaudits were

lways shining

it had unconditionally surrendered to the melodious genius of Mr. Pepin. He enraptured Dodge. It took him to its heart; it would have defended him to the latest gasp. Mr.

e" and "Martha," and rendered Mendelssohn's "Spring Song," and "Old Madrid." But he renamed them-in favour of local colour, probably-"Midnight Along the Arkansas," "Two Black Bears,

nd it is creditable to the dramatic profession that every member kept the oath. Mr. Pepin, released from bondage and doubly safe with distance and an address that was

event was epoch-making, and Dodge, impressed as to what onward and upward strides were suggested of that day, gave way to vast rejoicing. A deal of Old Jordan was destroyed, and Mr. P

fections; said it was the one sorrow of his life that the contralto wasn't with him in Dodge, and bewept a poverty which separated them. He explained that if Mr. Kelly could but see his heart he might then gain some glimmer of the grief that fed upon it. Mr. Pepin cried profoundly, and Mr. Kelly, who loved him, united his sobs to Mr. Pepin's. Contro

f Mr. Pepin. The latter should not wait upon the painful, slow achievement of what funds were called for. Mr. Kelly had money; and to what better purpose, pray, can one's money be put than a promotion of the happine

e, draw on me f

pon himself a huge drink. Then he gave himself up to those feelings of

g his message, Mr. Kelly received

hundred. Will start

n was to know nothing of the bliss that was being arranged for him. His earliest information should come when Mr. Ke

en on him like a pan of milk from a to

her coming. Mr. Pepin was a frail man; a sudden joy might strike him dead. Mr. Kelly had heard of such cases. Not to invite any similar catastrophe in the fragile instance of Mr. Pepin, Mr. K

and pale of cheek. Mr. Kelly poured whiskey down Mr. Pepin, laying his faintness to bliss. Mr. Pepin was at last so far recovered t

e day of Mr. Kelly's headlong breaking into the domestic affairs of Mr. Pepin, was the day upon which the Lone Wolf came into Dodge. The Lone Wolf lost no time, but sought out Mr. Masterson. His ragged blanket and blackened

s and fashions of trouble. The Lone Wolf's Great Father in Washington objected to these unauthorized hom

a "medicine." He could not make a new one, for the Great Spirit had passed commands against it. He could not buy one, for every Indian urgently needed his "medicine" in his own affairs, and when he died it must be buried with h

mightiest "medicines." This personage, by a most marvellous chance, had an extra "medicine." Mr. Masterson was sure that if the need were properly presented, his friend t

et-smitten. Even without the spotless word of Mr. Masterson, he would have known by the hump on his shoulders-that especial mark of the Great Spirit's favour!-how Mr. Pepin was a most tremendous medicine man. Neither was it needed that Mr. Masterson instruct him as to the prodigiou

the sore dilemma of his Cheyenne friend. Mr. Masterson explained that he had told the Lone Wolf about an extra "medicine" whereof he, Mr. Pepin, was endowe

that he would give it to Mr. Masterson's friend, the Lone Wolf. He took it from its case, which on being opened displayed an advantageous lining of red. The Lone Wolf received it reverently, smelled to it, peered thr

er "medicine." He would return to his people, and scowl in every man's face. His squaws should again hold up their heads, his pappooses cease their crying. His dogs' tails should proudly curl aloft, and his ponies snort contempt for the broncos of feebler folk. Altogether the Lone

k of his "medicine." Mr. Pepin instructed the Lone Wolf how he might bind that precious fiddle-case to his shoulders with straps, and wear it like a knapsack. The Lone Wolf, being thus

f and Mr. Pepin fell into closer talk. Two days later, no one could have

cry, went up. In the woeful midst of the excitement, Mr. Kelly informed the world

marron Bill, referring to the departed Mr. Pepin

start for Dodge in a week. When she arrived, and Mr. Kelly could not produce Mr. Pepin, what would be her course? Dodge could not guess; it could only shudder. In her resen

goin' to be frightful; an' if ever she turns loose once,

it, that he "was out on a limb." He must act without delay, or there was no measuring the calamities that might overtake him. Thank hea

dead with joy on hea

keep the

d it, and said that it did Mr. Kelly credit. At Mr.

hip body t

ted to all

ontralto replied, expressed her tearful thanks, and said

solemnly, "it's the last time I'll open a corre

er, was over on the Cimarron looking for stolen horses. He decided upon a visit to Be

, he could hear above the howling of the dogs the "Tunk, tunk!" of a native drum, which is not a drum but a tomtom. As he drew slowly nearer, the "Hy yah! hy yah! hy!" of savage singing t

them many times. But over and under and through them all ran a thin, wailing note which would have been understandable in a hurdy-gurdy, but fell strangely

tuneful bow. He was giving them the "Gypsy Chorus," while an Indian drummer beat out the time on his tomtom. Back of Mr. Pepin were squatted a half dozen young squaws, who furnished the "Hy yah! hy!" It cannot be said that th

ndeed a splendid spectacle! His hair exhibited a plumy bristle of feathers, while the paints on his face offered

eceived him most decorously, for the Lone Wolf made a speech that opened their eyes. The Lone Wolf had exhibited his new "medicine," and requested Mr. Pepin to make the ghosts talk, which he did. The hunch on Mr. Pepin's back was also a mighty endorsement. It w

The two went ever together, Bear Shield said, and explained the marital possibilities of the elm club. Mr. Pepin had always heard how there was a per cent. of good among ev

nce a week, and asked his heart's brother to make the ghosts in his "medicine" tell him their impressions. Under Mr. Pepin's spell the ghosts were sure to talk hopefully and with coura

rying her pappoose. The Lone Wolf had a prideful look which he held was one of the beneficent effects of his "medicine." He confided to Mr.