"Oh, Ted," exclaimed Stella, "that Indian is Running Bear, with whom you
had trouble when putting the Whipple gang out of business."
"I know it, but I don't think he'll bother us any more. Come, girls,"
said Ted, "it's time to go out and see the beef issue. They're reading
the names now, and the bucks are assembling."
Outside a strange scene was being enacted. A clerk from the Indian
agent's office was sitting on top of the fence of the cattle corral
reading the names of the Indians from a large book.
"Na-to-no-mah, John Fisher!" called the clerk, and a middle-aged Indian
stepped forward listlessly and stood aside.
"The first name is his Indian or tribe name," explained Ted. "The name
John Fisher is the name given him in Washington, so that the clerks will
not get him mixed with an Indian whose name is similar."
So the reading went on, and after each name the clerk said "one" or
"two," meaning that the owner of the name was entitled to one or two
cows, according to the number of members of his family.
"Running Bear!" called the clerk.
There was no answer.
"Running Bear! Where is Running Bear?" The clerk looked around
anxiously, for Running Bear was a prominent Indian, and was entitled to
three cows, or as many as he could graft, and was never known to miss a
beef issue.
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