The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-07-06

you from now on in the first person.
"Let's cat, Jack, Pm hungry as a wolf"
GAN right, Bill exclaimed the person ad.
dressed "if Tex has the coffee made /
Its made and T. near gone," replied
that worthy. ~ has bin dom nuthin' but
sWllilH onten that pot sense / filed it."
A prompt denial was my only response.
Not questioning the ~yeracity of my excellent
friend, | simply asserted that he lied, or words
to that effect.
81, like myself, is tired of waiting, Tex
said Bill, filling his cup. "What time will
we start out, Jack?'
Gas soon as the moon pitches over the !
hill" was the reply.
How far will We go dow tonight ?"
"About II miles, Bill, to where the first
creek comes in on the other side"
"WelL, sir" said Tex, looking up frem his
tin plate, presumably addressing Jack, a.
would enamost swar | hearn q shot a while
ago.
"Where al?" exclaimed Jack, looking down
the stream.
"Down thar replied Tex, pointing to the
river.
You are right ; SO did," quietly observed
Bill.
q wouldn't be surprised if we found a few
lodges of Crows below. Mick Bouyer told
me some were hereabouts," said Jack, filling
his pipe.
Supper was over-a smoke; after that a
short nap, and over the hills. When the edge
of the moon could be seen camp was broken,
aud in a few moments we we're in the saddle
and moving down the trail.
It's tortuous windings through grand groves
of cottonwood and swampy willow afforded
but scanty views Of the beautiful valley we
We're descending.
The old moon moving majestically across
the southern heavens, surrounded by a bril-
liant constellation Of glittering stars, threw a
radiant light over the rolling lands which
swept downward in graceful, undulating lines
to the valleys edge, and, darting through the
leafy foliage overhead, beams like golden
snow fla YES fell in sllimMerlng showers upon
our pathway. Ever and anon a startled deer.
springing from its grassy couch, would leap
into the trail, and with antlered head erect,
gaze with great, luminous eyes at the unwel-
come intruders upon its rest. A snort of
alarm, and the graceful form would leap into
the timber, fading quickly from sight in the
darkness of willow beyond. Then for a
brief space would be silence, unbroken save
by some predatory night bird fitting over
meadow and moorland.
Jack led the advance. His CUR, removed
from its cover of cow-elk skin, was held III its
masters firm, neivy grip across the pommel
OF the saddle. Behind him came Bill, with
his Winchester. After him the pack animals,
Tex and myself bringing up the rear.
AS the hours go rapidly by we are sensible
of a change in the topography of the country
about us. Bluffs are replacing the table lands
which hitherto marked the valley above.
Looking up at the frowning walls, Tex turns
in his saddle to remark:
"Below the big bend now. The valley is
a closin' up
His horse almost stops the pack animals,
with heads u%plifted, their nervous, pointed
ears working quickly back and ~forth-some-
thing ahead has alarmed them.
"What the IL is the matter:" muttered
Tex, running Blue up. "Suthin's ahead on
usual" he added, in response to my look OF
inqu ry.
Suddenly all of the animals stop. Jack
and Bill have dismounted and are closely en-
aiming the trail. | can hear them convers-
ing quickly, but the tone OF voice used is not
sufficiently audible for Inc to understand
what subject they are discussing.
The horses still peer into the gloom ahead
and seem to await with fear a danger already
known to them.
Suddenly a low wailing scream Of deadly
pain broke out in the silent canon below,
slowly the night md carried it by us unit
lost in the forest !, .e it died away i'll a
mourI 1ul sad, refrain, such as seldom falls &c
the lot of man to hear. The startled horses
lluudled closer together. still standing in the
trail. mutionleSS as statues. With guns
ready in hand are my companions, YOicelnSs
as the shadows, thrown out in broad relief OF
the ground before them, they look steadfastly
and without sign of fear down the stream.
I | CanN0t now, or will | ever be able to de.
scribe in words, the effect Of this horrible
scream upon my nervous system, the mex,
pressiblc dread OF instant death took entire
possession of me. | could feel the cold drop;
of perspiratiOn standing out on my forehead,
| wanted to get off the saddle, to be closer tC
nv friends, but | could not move, and only
When | felt Il hand laid on my knee and saw
tle steady gray eyes and calm, pale deter
mined face Of Jack looking up into my own
did | recover self possession enough to move
and articulate. MotiOning me to lean dOWr
he whispered, "WeM make camp for IA while
"Z," there is the devil IL pay down below
did you hear that internal scream? Get
down and keep q sharp lookout until W,
move the packs of the trail. Don't shoot,
lie continued, WarninSly, not even If yOl
see an Indian: ONE and VAIN us, remember
now, be sure" and ncrNously pressing N
hand lie led his mare into the trees Oh til,
right. Leading The packs. Bill and Tex fol
lowed him. Entirely alone, | stood beside tn,
trail, for my FESTIVE horse feeling me slippin:
of, had moved quietly awaE with the herd.
Was | scared? Well, slightly SO. They
might litNt lNit hN III N""iiin " III Civ
lookout | kept. Every tree seemed an Indian
and | firmly believe that | should have tel
dead on the spot, if a wolf had jumped across
the trail before me. However. my suspense
WAS not of long duration. Hearing a whisper
| turned, AMI Tex, standing a few feet away
motioned me to him. Together we reached
in a few steps the little park. where Tx
packs had dropped their lo.ls. All OF tn,
horses were securely tea to the surrounding
t,.,ns IF,til ~, 81 -, az. ,1pisn ~ mi
kind had come from the direction indicate,
by the scream, and joining Jack and Bill We
stood in council. Our leader was the first Il
speak. Three of us" said he, Twill q
down the trail and find out if possible, villa
the devil is the matter in that Hat below, 70