The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-07-13

condition to carry out the programme re-
solved upon the night before. Filling our
ammunition belts, We then conferred together
as to the best mode of scouting the valley.
Jack was in no quandry as to how we should
proceed:
"Iou," said he, addressing Bill, "take one
side of the river and follow the bluff down
to where the little creek comes in, about
half a mile below the cabin. | will keep the
left hand bluff and meet you, and between
the two of us nothing will be below that we
can't see into. Tex and u can 60 down the
river trail, waiting for lis i'll the willows
where we cached last night"
"Goodnough," said Tex, using his favor
tie expression.
"Suits me-" laconically remarked Bill.
| had no objection or suggestion to make.
Bill, who had started through the brush to
cross the shallow river, returned to ask
"What shall | do in case l should strike a
fresh trail ~
'What would you 60 but follow it until
you seen we were safe to work! answered
Jack.
The response seemed to reInove all the
doubts of Bill as to his future course, SO, re-
tracing his steps, the wolfer soon passed out
of sight in the dense fringe of willows that
lined the river bank.
Reloading q fresh cartridge, Jack sprang up
the bluff, leaving Tex and myself to proceed
dt Jul lClSuIcu ON II tHc SlISdlu, WHOoc tipping
wavelets could occasionally be seen through
the openings of willow brush as we passed
along. Arriving at the clearing, we lay down
in the willows that sklrted it above and be-
low, Tex observing as he did so:
81 would hev gin ten dollars to hev bin
here las nite.'
"What for:?" l inquired.
"Jess to hev got my lick in"
There might have been a triple burying if
you had,' l remarked.
"What's that ?'
"Oh, l mean we might have to plant you
in the bottom along with those in cabin,"I
answered.
II QUILTED to take them chances. Eff the
day ever comes when | can't pull the trigger
in a white mans fight agin them dog-eatin'
devils you kin gambul, pard, that | haint got
knife nor ammynishun. l know jest how a
man feels he continued, slowly cooking and
unlocking the gun lying before him.. 81
hev been there, and Lev he'd as good a layout
TO trim a hunters shirt with my scalp as Jack
or Bill"
"Boots and hat will 60 with your hair,"I
ventured to remark. .
"a ded man amt particular bout Dress"
was his answer.
A rustic in the brush brought us quickly to
on: feet. 1t was only Bill.
"Anything around, Bill 2" inquired Tex.
"Yes,' he answered. Not less than a
hundred lodges of Indians have crossed be-
low here since yesterday morning. l can't
find any sign that will tell the tribe they be-
long to; coming from the Crow country and
going north is about all L can make out"
Wringing the water out of his moccasin,
he replaced it, saying as he lid so:
"Have You seen jacks"
"No,"I replied.
"Well, there he is" he quietly observed,
pointing to an open spot in the timber line
below the bluff. "We'll make a break for
the house." All of us, acting upon the sug-
gestion. followed him as he parted the will
lows. Joining Jack at the grove, we had
occasion to note before entering the house
that it was not only of very recent build but
most rudely constructed. The logs, five heavy
composing the sides, supported a roof OF aspen
poles laid 1atwise across them these in turn
were covered with a thick layer of willows.
Neither chimney or window had been deemed
necessary in the construction of this strangely
located building. Thanking every side, huge
cottonwoods lowered loftily above, their
gnarled and misshapen limbs, from which
the leaves had long since fallen, bending
downward, afforded but little shelter, and no
| concealment for the comfort or safety of these
who lived beneath them. With its central
location and massive build, a few men reso-
Lutte and determined, could have defended
the house against 500 Indians. The bottom,
enclosed between nearly perpendicular walls
(never less than so feet in height) of red
dish sandstone, with a belt of timber above
and below, comprised about fifteen acres of
rich aluvial land, and dividing it, equi dist
ant from the house and river, which ran
closely to the left bluff, was the broad Indian
trail that thousands of hostiles travelled
yearly on their northern horse stealing and
scalp hunting pilgrimages.
Crossing the threshold we stood within a
room about fifteen feet square. TIL sunlight
glinting through the unchinked walls, played
Enthusiastically about the earthern floor, darting
hither and thither, the dancing beams fell
upon none Of the usual comforts of a border
home; not a vestige' of clothing, cooking
utensils, or rude furniture was 10 be seen.
No clothing, did l say! | am mistaken.
Through the top log on the southern expos
ure, a broad band of light rested for a
moment on the outstr etched form OF a man
clothed in buckskin. Standing around him,
our eyes at last accustomed to the surround
ing gloom, we saw the dead as Jack had de-
scribed them the night before. At our feet
lay the body of a mar past the meridian Of
life, OF strong muscular build, and who must
have exceeded six feet in height when alive
and erect. \ fringe of iron gray hair marked
the ear line where the scalp had been torn
from the skull, a CHASTITY sickening sight that
the eve gladly turned from. The upturned
face with its wide staring eyes, a look of in
tense pain still lingering about the firmly
closed mouth, the grizzly bloodstained cheeks
and below the chin a wide, gaping cut hat
reached from ear to ear, gave every evid ence
of the horrible death the old man bravely
met. The ground about him was torn up as
if the fight had been long and desperate
Taking up the stiiened right arm, Tex eN,
amined the bloody hand.
ale gin 'em the best he he'd while he wal
at it," he finally muttered.
Eyes, said Bill, who had knslt beside
him. :! His hand is badly skinned, Tex, ant
here are two of his fingers broKen."
Something attr acted the eye of Jack as he
looked down upon the body. STOPPING, h,