The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-14

gono while on the " fine mules " back and then
imparts his plan Of getting rid Of the curse,
wenatchee Indians think that ! viii NOT iis'
Now. ~ tell you what We WI DO. IN sW to
uiterabic contempt fitted across his lace" he
friend wi II trade him 70 YOU for q ilnc, horse.''
and M'S conina sYo Now III Show you G how
/ will work We will ,i haye a.. rc hear a.
horse and that ino mule out TO eat. e.will
hide them in the bushes. so that the Wcnatch9es
cannot SEQ them by daylight. After dark the
about like this" planting II number Of sticks ~
the ground about the FIRE. They will be glad
will have a talk and tell each other the nows;
You must sit under n tree by the IRE. ana had
better DO writing ~ your book. They VIII ask
man. who has come II long way to see this coun-
try, and that you are my brother. i love you SO
tho mule ride was not yet iorgouen). "Then
II tell them about the mule. tell how strong he
is. and will show him to them like this" lie
went and got that great ungninly Denst ana
brought him up to the fire then, holding the
rope that was tied about his neck. he burst forth
wishcs 70 trade for n good horse, Look well at
him. Bee how large and strong no -. and he is
very ias, but he Is tired now re nus carried
across great dry plains aud you 500 he is
stiff and worn out II YOU are fortunate
loose with your horses. he will recover In o few
days; and then you will own the finest animal
In the world. When you come to ride this mule
you will be proud of him and vii say, Alexis. the
chief Of the Yak imas. put this animal in our
hhnds.' You will never forget mo, but VIII al
ways be grateful to me and proud oil your BAR
Turning tho mule loose. Alexis hit him with
big stick, telling him 10 40.
=" Now, when make this speech. )" be went on,
you must not laugh. but must Alt still and
write. and ] Will get y2ua good horse. When
they ride him they will think OF mo-" Alexis,
chief Of the lakmas. gueless child OF nature.
laughed and chuckled to himself abundantly.
we we're about to start across the divide. Of
fered tho mule to Alexis: but he did not under
and scorned the Offer. contenting himself with
smiling ut the compliments showored upon
him. He simply says. DEn IA mula AND
gracefully swinging himself into the saddle thut
l. on his mares back. he is on.
On the second day | discover that the mule
S w n aE S s9 G s Back l d. TSorp Thorp Thorp
You Thought | would shoot that mule. and
would never return him. You counted on that
lead him down. down. down. around steep
buiis oyer creeks. down sharp hog backs
then mounting him | ride 70 the fishery. and
we make our camp.
There are still few hours Of daylight left.
so walk up to where the Indians are speering
salmon. Lying down. watch them haul the
beauties out 81 the water watch the women
/ buy a good sized fish. Carrying him to our
camp. find the Indian has started the lire. 80
We. hasten to brOiI this salmon and 10 cat him.
| u b. has the mule ready. He laughs and says.
Yes get hne horse Tor him. too ,.
over to our fire. sit under q pine tree and
| write. Just in front OF mo. distant thousand
! yards, is large e9nieal mountain. 1t Is on
! IRE, Every now and then see the trees fall.
and the burning brands fly through the air in
all directions. 1t is mass OF flame from top to
and that fire to look ut. will be able to keep my
face straight when tho mule is pr9duced.
my S wor Aea and refuse e to look up bear he
tread OF the mule. and know that now he Is
standing right opposite me; but dare not look
up yet. I hear Alexis talk in the Indian tongue,
and j know he Is describing that four Legged
fraud to the Wenatchees. feel nowthat have
gotten control Of my face. and that can look
about mo without ondangering tue mule trade
so put on n bland look and gaze about; Ind
| all the Indians looking at the mule and listen
| full child IL telling tnein that am OF some ac-
count, as they all suddenly look at me. / smile
sweeily on them. and again rtvet my eyes on
the mule. OH hOrrOrsl He stretches out his
| head: his nostris begin 10 quiver. his sides 10
| heave; in an instant he brays aloud One In
| dian who was seated near me. e1clainls TO an
ether. in Chinook. !" Il Is the old mule OF Thorp
What a sweet voice he has c,,
| Unfortunately. i understood Chinook, and
laughed with intense, enjoyment The Indians
take up the laugh. Alexis. seeing that the trade
is hoDelcssly lost. clubs the mule away from tbs
! fire and Joins in tho laugh ALSO. MY mule
| known.
In the morning buy a fair horse Of the We
70 take the mule back 10 the Yakima; but they
! laughingly decline. making motions that they
had rather walk over THO divide than ride thai
to the Indian who will deliver the charger &c
| Thorp. but everybody refuses to touch him
| The mule Is free forever.
Saddlng my horse. We were soon on our way
| down the Menatchec valley. We rode fast un
Ill about noon. whom Alexis aking me by thu
arm. and pointing 10 n huge white cloth that Is
Mapping in the wind and to vast body o
! water. says. There II the house whore PLcl
lives the snil roof has blown off, That water Il
| the Columbia"