The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-07-05

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ing, from daylight to dark, it would have
been an easy matter to have fired pistol
ball into the camp we left in the morning.
On camping for the night, after Standi-
ferd had left US, Tom REILLY pointed to the
canyon ahead ofus and reminded US ofour
hard days experience. He also called
our attention to the fact that our small
stock of provisions could not last us more
than few days at the farthest, and that
| we should then have nothing TO subsist upon
even if we desired to return. Bostwick
finally agreed to return, but I would not
listen to any proposition that included the
abandonment Of our enterprise. There
were men ahead, also, and to abandon
them was not agreeable to any of US. The
matter was finally put to vote, resulting
in seven for return and one for continuing
the trip.
In the morning Reilly was for returning,
but Bostwick would not go back so long as
any one Of the party was keeping on.
Perkins insisted upon following Bostwick.
Reilly had 81 500 in coin about his person,
which had become a serious burthen to
him in his weak and exhausted condition.
He took Driscoll aside and gave him 5000
on condition that he would rem1an with
Fostwick. Driscoll agreed to the PROPOSE
ton and after bidding this party good by
we now took up our march ag.in, our
party reduced to four members.
We made better progress after this, how
ever, and Bostwick had the good luck to
kill deer. This gave us considerable en-
couragement, and we proceeded to dry
the meat for future use. We built FIRE
beneath the branches of pine tree, so
that the smoke would be partly concealed.
This precaution was necessary, as it was
not improbable that Indians might be
near our camp. The ever watchful and
cautious Bostwick was not even satisfied
with this precaution, but took his gun and
started up the river short distance to
reconnoitre. He returned in few mo-
ments with troubled expression upon
his countenance, and sat down near the
fire without speaking. After while he
looked up and said:
"We are watched there are Indians
around u.s."
Glow do you know?" said I, astonished
at this piece Of ofunexpected news.
II have seen their tracks on the trail,
and know that they have discovered u.s.
As if to confirm the opinion of Bosl-
wick, two dogs made their appearance,
attracted no doubt, by the odor Of the
drying meat, and moment later the
eagle feathers Of an Indians head dress
appeared above rock in close proximity
to our camp.
This was more than enough to assure
US ofdanger, and we at once took shelter
behind a tree and signalled the Indians to
approach. This they did, after much
manouyering and extreme caution.
There were but two Of the redskins ap-
parently and they gave US to understand
that they were Bannacks on their way
down the river. We could learn nothing
further from them, but their actions were
suspicious and the appearance of the dogs
satisfied US that there was camp not far
off.
The Indians finally started down the
trail and we proceeded with our work Of
curing the meat, and by night had it pack
ed for an early start in the morning. We
then laid down our blankets as if we in
tended to sleep together, put out the fire
and turned in; but when the night had be-
come SO dark that objects could not be
distinguished few feet distant, each of
Us quietly took gun aud blanket and
scattering out among the timber laid our
selves down behind rocks and trees.
We were not disturbed during the night
but this old Indian stratagem probably
saved our lives, as we had not travelled
more than half mile up stream the fol-
owing morning before we discovered fresh
tracks on the trails, and few
niles further on, while crossing long bar,
ve discovered Indians ahead ofus, and
moment later the hills were swarming with
he fends yelling and signalling to each
,ther.
We ran for pile of rocks and took up
position behind them, seeing which the In
llans cireled to the right and left of us.
We now had the river on one side, and the
ocks formed a fair breastwork in the only
ireetions from which our foes were likely
approach Us, therefore we felt compara-
vely safe, although our ammunition was
early exhausted and We could not afford
waste single shot.
A day or two previous to this event we 5
1t Ike men condemned to die, and some {
us had even calculated how manp dap. a