The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-12-31
CHAPTER III.

NAAC VI OOllSTtSS at W dSnl0EIOn
CHAPTER III.
81 think I see a light ahead. And
I'm sure there's a grove beyond it, and
of course there'll be water and camp
ing-place," exclaimed an ox-driving i'm
migrant, who was yet more than mile
distant from the wagon and tent that
constituted the home of Mark Morrison
and his family.
''It's only Indians" cried a feeble
voice, from the wagon, as the jolting
vehicle went splashing through the au-
tumn mud.
mo; 'tisn't Indians. The fires too
. big. Indians make a little fire, and
crawl almost into it. White folks make
a big blaze, and stand at a safer dis
tance. Gee, Berry! Haw, Buck p' So
lilosuized and commanded the driver,
imam irritable mood.
"Children, don't be so noisy, please.
Papa says there's a light ahead, and
we'll soon get some supper" pleaded
the mother of half a dozen tow-headed
urchins, all of whom, except the young
est, were clamoring for food from their
perch in the wagon, above feather beds,
tin dishes, and camp-kettles.
Nancy" cried Mark Morrison, start
ing suddenly from his lowly cot in their
lonely tent, 'listen close, an see if
there amt a wagon coming. I heard
an ox-whip crack just now"
Listening intently, as she was hidden,
Mrs. Morrison thought she, too, could
hear it. But presently she shook her
head. -
''It's only the crackle of that tree top
that Madge put on the fire an hour
ago" "she said, sadly. ga fresh part of
it has,sfallen into the fire and made
new blaze, that's ALL"
"But 1 tell you hear man saying
gee and 'hawp Be sure to make him
stop when he comes along" said the
husband.
81 will" replied the wife, merely to
pacify him, for she believed he was only
wandering.
But a half-hour's waiting convinced
the lonely watcher that help was indeed
coming.
"Halloa ~
The sturdy call of the new recruit,
Jason Andrews by name, who, with his
sick wife and a family of children, equal
in number and helplessness to that al
ready encamped on the plain, was an-
swered by the fearful voice of Mrs. Nor
rison, as, aided by the glare of the blaz-
ing tree-top, she peered into the gloom
and realized that her prayers were an
swered, in part at least, for there was
hope that they were no longer to be
alone in their desolation.
as there water for the stock, handyP'
asked the stranger, as he settled his
heavy ox-goad with slap upon the wet
wagon-cover, and proceeded to unyoke
the tired cattle.
''The branch runs at the foot of the
hill yonder-it's quite river since the
rain set in-and there's plenty of wood
in the gulch; but it's most a mile
away" said Mrs. Morrison. 1--WE can
supply you with wood for the night,
though. Please to come in and see my
husband. A tree fell on him and broke
his leg. Pm afraid it isn't doing just
right"
Jason Andrews obeyed the summons
IA very few moments. 1t took but a
glance at the sufferers limb to assure
him that modification was already be-
gun.
"We must get a surgeon" he said,
anxiously. "Where is the nearest one?"
Alas, the only available one in the
Territory at that early period resided at
the distant city of ''The Falls" a trad
ing post of much Importance, where
supplies were kept for the use of In
dians and the Hudson Bay Company in
the earlier days of pioneering.
"There's no time to be lost, ma'am.
That leg must come off above the knee"
said the stranger, decidedly.
"But how are we to get the surgeon?"
asked Nancy Morrison, wringing her
hands in terror
"Blamed if knowT" was the nervous
answer, as Jason Andrews left the tent
and began a vigorous attack upon the
great campfire.
"COuldn't you go for him, sir?" cried
the poor wife, desperately.
iT might if it was daylight and
knew the way, ma'am; but the nights
darker than a stack of black cats, and
I've no more notion of the points of the
compass than a mariner who's lost both
compass and log-book. Haven't you
any neighbors ?r
"None whatever. An old Indian
came along and set the broken bone and
helped carry my husband to camp; but
the bone slipped somehow, and there
was nobody to replace it. I don't
know what to do"
"Well, you've only got to put the
night through the best way you can,
ma'am. When daylight comes Pll try
to get a doctor. 'Twon't be any use,
though, for he's gone case, in nv
opinion" the stranger added, to him
self, as he busted himself about the