Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1878-08-31
An Indian 0utuifsei.
Ut MATTE DsEk kKFTTs-


Perhaps sorSe q oar rva3ers msy re
n<mbes nc Q fosncr ngmbcr. the sfary
Of Settler ysnclexye. oHe # the exrIy
pionexrs # lBdIans, VA made kis hone
in Mid regioa 10 Moa,gozery Coarty,
known - ~f1ne Groves." the s-SA.des
Of Death, and the DEVILS Den,- and
who was taken prisoner by the Indians,
and held captive in q cave containing q
large Amount Of gold and silver. the To-
cation Of which he could never. after bis
delibesasion, discover.
After Mr.. Vancieave MAS released from
his captivity in the treasure cave, and
had returned o. his little home, times be.
came comparatively peaceful, and though
the Indians still committed all sorts Of
petty depredstions, stealing anything
they could lay their hands on, the settlers
were no longer in danger Of being mas
sacred in cold blood.
Many friends urged Mr. Vancleave to
move his home from that lonely grove
and rocky ravine, to place where neigh
bors would be more accessible in time of
need.
But Mr.. Vancleave was attached to the
nest in the wilderness which he himself
had built, and his wife, brave little pic.
neer woman, would not hear of change.
Among other things Mr.. Vancleave was
the owner of very fine young horse
named Rocket, q beautiful, intelligent,
dspple gray, strong and clean OF limb,
bright Of eye and noble of form, the es-
pecial pet and pride of bis owner, and the
envy and admiration of the country round.
Mr.. Vanclesve would not have taken
five hundred dollars for him, and seldom
used him except for his own riding. He
taught him to come at q peculiar whistle,
to give his fore foot to be shaken, and to
4 rform several little tricks.
Mrs. Vancleave never undertook to
ride him, but she used to pet him in his
stable, and give him sweet apples from
some young trees which they had planted
when they first came into the wilderness.
he was exceedingly fond of them, and
would come to her at once whenever she
held them out to him.
One day Mr.. Vancleave was obliged to
90 to mill, distance of some eighteen
miles. He took his wagon and his work.
ing team, leaving Rocket in small piece
Of woods-pasture near the house.
Mrs. Vancleave was left alone. Little
Sam, the only child accompanied bis fa-
theT. But she was not at all afraid, and
having finished her little household tasks,
she went into the garden and began gath.
ering the early peas and beans which
were ripe enough for seed.
While she was thus engaged she heard
. kind of grunt close beside her. Look
ing up with start she saw q huge In
dian not two yards away, gazing intently
at her. Az she looked up with . low CRY
of terror, he nodded his head.
"Huh! Injua dry; want water. Get
gourd !" be said, in short dry sentences.
Mrs. Vancleave gathered up her apron.
full Of seeds, went to the house, and
handed him gourd which hung Just out
side the door. He slaked his thirst from
the spring under spreading beech, gave
her back the gourd, and next said,-
"1njun hungry; get bread"
Afraid to refuse, Mrs. Vancleave
heaped wooden dough- tray with every
thing eatable she could find, and gave it
to him, hoping thus to get rid Of her
troublesome caller.
He sat down on the ground under q
tree, and devoured the whole trayful.
Then be handed her back the tray, and
asked, "Gor whiskey2"
"No, not drop" she said seeing that
he understood her. But he did not be-
lieve her. He went into the hut and rum
aged around to find some, while she, be-
ginning to be very much frightened, re.
NAMED outside.
The savage found Jug of vinegar, and
supposing it to be whiskey, he brought it
out laughing, and raising it to his mouth,
took draught. But its sour taste dis.
pleased him. 4e spat it out, made q
very wry face, and giving . grunt of dis.
gust flung the jug down the hill into the
spring branch.
"Where hcr.ei" Was his next demand.
''Horse gone" said Mrs. Vancleave,
terrified lest be should spy Rocket and
carry him Of. His answer to her proved
that such was his intention.
mo, MOI" be grunted. ''Squsw lie
Gray horse no gone! Where kept In
stsbiel"
He looked 6escely At her. and tapped
the handle of the murderous hunting
knife stack il his belt. The brave little
vooaa did not dare refuse 10 tell him.
thosgh her heart suelled - she thouxAs
a hef hsssands grief when he should re-
tnss asd fnd his pc, gone.
She pointed ~ifhous speaking TO shs
tlktte pasture where the beautiful dspple-
cray uas grsxing. The savage ehSeklei
gjsesulEy.
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