The Tattoo

Joe Carlisle sells his trading vessel and visits his friends, the Marks family. He finds that Ed Marks, the eldest boy, is sick and when the doctor recommends that he go west, Joe persuades the family to join him. They agree and Joe together with Mrs. Marks, Ed and his sister Jess, and the two children Dick and Gertie, start in a covered camp wagon. On the way they are attacked by Indians, but beat them off. The children admire the tattoo mark on Joe's arm and persuade him to tattoo their arms in the same way. They build a log cabin and settle down to western life keeping on good terms with the surrounding Indians, until one day Joe surprises Moon Face stealing a hatchet and orders him off the place. Moon Face treasures a grudge and one day swoops down upon the children while they are at play and carries off little Gertie. Dick runs home with the news and the Indian is pursued, but without success. The family mourn the loss of Gertie. Ten years pass by and Dick grows into a handsome youth. He goes out hunting with his chum Cy. They happen on an Indian camp and are both smitten with the charms of the Chief's daughter Star Eyes. Their visits are repeated and Dick notes with regret that Cy possesses the first place in the girl's affections. Cy asks the Chief for the hand of Star Eyes and is ordered away. Star Eyes runs away and joins Cy. The escape is discovered and several Indians follow them and, in a running fight Cy is wounded in the arm. Star Eyes, from their stand point of vantage, keeps the Indians at bay until a posse of cowboys, led by Dick and Joe appears and the Indians are routed. Star Eyes is wounded in the arm, and when Joe splits her sleeve he discovers the tattoo mark and Star Eves is no more, But Gertrude takes her place and the family rejoice.