The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-12-21
"why, what do ye mean, PatsyY',

w
say, an may dc Lor' hab mercy on yer
souls"
This judicial ending to Patsy's proph-
ecy was so ludicrous that l could not
help discovering myself by loud and
hearty laugh.
AS L turned away heard Patsy NUT
tering something about, "When de
wicked stop dar trouble, an de tired
folks am at rest"
About ten days after this we were en-
camped OH tributary of the Yellow
stone that bore the suggestive name of
Scalp Creek.
The country was interesting, and we
decided to remain Oh the creek for a
week or two, while we examined the
volcanic hills and beautiful valleys in
the vicinity.
Fortunately, as we thought, there
was no sign of Indians ia the vicinity.
so, instead of moving in one body, we
divided into three parties, that is, if the
two teamsters, left in charge of the
camp, be called one party. Whitchurch
and Brougham, the latter a first-ratc
geologist, went with Paul the guide, and
I took, in my separate explorations. the
phffosophic Patsy.
|
been the last of our stay at Scalp Creek
Il started with Patsy to examine a
range of hills about seven miles from
camp. We took cooked dinner in our
haversacks, as we did not expect to get
back before night.
We were both well armed with rifles
and pistols, but each morning Patsy
would protest that he was non-com-
batant, and that it was just throwing
arms away for him to carry them.
"For," he would reason, 81 neber
could shoot an keep my eyes open at
one an de same time. De only daniar
in dem tings Is, dat if carries 'em, [
may shoot myself, an if Use killed, de
lnjuns won't know l couldn't shoot.
Dey'll tink Pse great warrior 'mong
dc ten tousand, an altogcdder lubbly.
so dey'll hack me up pretty bad afore
dey leave me alone in my glory, like de
vellah rose OBJ Texas, what's bloomin'
alone"
Despite this, 1 insisted on my COM
panion's going armed, and subsequent
events proved Patsy and were right.
We remained in the hills till the sun
was well down, but leaving us ample
time to get back to camp before it was
dark; so we started, delighted with our
success, but not little fatigued by the
days hard work.
we entered deep ravine, or canon,
that led out to Scalp Creek, about six
miles below the camp, and was in the
lead, carefully watching the ground
from force of habit, as we walked along.
"A green weed that had been lately
uprooted attracted my attention, and af-
ter examining it, came to the conclu-
sion that it had bcen pulled up within
an hour. Had it been done by all ami
NAL, it would have been trampled or
eaten, bnt saw that it had been pulled
from the side of the rift at an elevation
as high as a mans hand would reach as
he clnng to the rocks for support while
making his way over the bou1dcrs UNDER
meath.
said nothing to Patsy about my dis
covciy, but now kept my ewes in front
or searching the oliffs above.
We had gone to within about hum
drcd and fifty yards of Scalp Creek, and
already we could see it through the rock
defilc, when an unearthly yell, accom-
panied by shower of arrows, came
from foes whom could not see; but,
from the direction of the missiles, |
knew they were in front.
"Get back, Patsy!" | shouted, point
ing to rock about thirty feet behind
that nearly blocked up the passage.
He obeyed me with astonishing alac-
rity, but | never can forget the look of
overwhelming horror in his face as he
turned to run back.
SIS dey Injuns, sahl" he asked, as he
ruhbaN bia haaH and fnr,aI k:, ,>,,o....l
ing eyes on me.
Yes, man; get your rifle readv"
shouted, and at the same moment cal CHI
Ing glimpse of feathered black head
above the rocks in front, raised nv
Spencer rifle and fired.
MY shot was answered by another
yeii, ana at the same time dozen bull
let's struck the rocks about me.
We were effectually cut off, and judg-
ing the number of Indians In front by
the explosion of their rifles and the dis
charge Of their arrows, l concluded it
would be impossible for our friends to
render us immediate aid even ir aware
of our danger.
Behind us were number of loose
boulders, and while watched the open
ing near the creek called out to the
trembling Patsy to roll the rocks up, so
as to make barricadc in the narrow
pass. This was something Patsy could
comprehend, and being stout fellow,
he at once went to work, and, inside OF
twenty minutes, the rocks were as high
as his head.
"Dar, Mass Costlah, dat's done; now
let dis servant lie down an purpay-ah
foh DEATH"
Patsy. dropped on his knees, and as
summed the attitude of an Ethiopian
martyr. But, if he could not or would
not shoot, it struck me l could utilize
him by making him keep the arms loaded
1t was now sundown; could see the
last rays gliding the snow-peaks away
in the distance, and, as may be supposed
the approach of darkness increased m,
alarm, for ii added to the danger of oui
situation.
had just told Patsy to place his rifle
and pistols where could reach them
and that he must at once reload tho
arms laid down, when again the Ne7
Perce and Crow warhoops echoed
through the defile, and, looking out,
saw the painted braves coming iowart
me at run.
, The rift was so narrow that they were
: forced to push on in single file, while
few warriors from precarious positions
: on the steep, fianking rocks tried to GOV
or the advance.
/ tremblcd with fear and excitement
and only BY strong effort ofwill coul,
control my weapon so as to make sur,
) of my aim. had seven loads in my re
: pcating-rlfie, and waiting till the near
T est brave was within twenty yards,
opened fire. l am astonished now a
I the rapidity with which sent the sever
balls into the enemy.
LOAD, Patsyw
Z dropped my rifle and took up his
, but 10 my horror found II would no
I work. II was as useless as so mucl
wood. Fortunately my revolvers wer,
near, and with one in each hand open
| aI fra otratt,