The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-10

whose densely covered sleeps seemed almost inn
penetrable.
The little cabin of Btter-sweet looked lonely
but inviting, enclosed by neat fence OF pickets,
which. with the boards which covered the roof,
had been split out Of the grand pine timber that
was so plentiful and near.
Only one neighbor lived in the same valley, but
Cleaveland said he was a good man, who had a
wife and two or three small children. His name
was Brown.
A few DAYS after the arrival Of the pleasure
seekers a small band Of Indians rode up to camp,
and seemed quite pleased to see Earle and Cleave-
land. They were rather gOod-looking men, and
presented quite a contrast in appearance to the
saualid tribes Of the Willamette Valley that Ber-
tina had been accustomed to. Some OF them were
Nez Perces and some belonged to the Umatilla
Reservation, and had been permitted to leave for
the purpose Of hunting and fishing and gathering
berries They were the same Indians who for
merly laid claim to the valley where they now
were and had always proven freRdly to Cleave-
land and done him service on several occasions.
These Indians brought news OF trouble with the
Bannocks and Snake Indians from Fort Hail. and
stated that they had come down to the Malheur
Reservation, aud many of the Malheurs and
Weisers from that reservation had Joined them on
the war-path.
Earle inquired if they thought there was any
danger that the hostiles would come on toward the
Umatilla Reservation, and was told that they
thought not, they well knew the Umatillas
were friendly to the whites, and being we'll
treated by their agent, there was no danger OF
their proving treacherous.
4 few days after this interview, the Indians
went up into the mountains on a grand hunt, and
] Iaft D, Il,
lower end OF the Bitter-sweet Prairie
Mr. Brown and Earle, about this time went out
to Pilot Rock, which was the nc.test post Office,
for papers and other mail. The news in the pa
pers told Of several raids and depredations near
Canyon City, and along the Malheur, and stated
that there were some three hundred Indians with
Chief Egan, who We're burning and pilaging and
that several good men had been killed.
Bertha was quite frightened, and told Earle
that she feared they had made mistake in com
ing out to the mountains this Summer
81 think there is not any danger, for we are al
least eighty miles from Canyon City, and on the
opposite side of the mountains from the track
they have taken since they left that vicinity"
Il don't know about that doing us much good -
said Cleaveland, 'for the Indians will stick to the
mountains, and cross over at any time and place
that suits them. don't know but you had better
start for home and take Julia with you. / hate
to run any risks by keeping her here"
81 do not think we should be very well off il
they came on to us on way home with only
\ Johnny and myself to protect the women and
children. | think, too that if there should be
danger, the friendly Indians would give us warn
| ing and assistance" replied Earle
''Well, we can wait and see,n said Ceaveland
The next mail brought the account of the send
! ing out of General Howard with his soldiers, ant
/ their arrival at Walla Wala; also that horse,
were wanted for the use Of troops scouts etc
/ The Indian depredators Were still coming north
and it was feared that renegades from the Una
tillas would join them.
''That brings them pretty close" said Earle
Don't you think we had better go in to Pilo
! Rock ," asked Cleaveland.
az was just thinking that I ought to take som,
of my horses over to the agency for the Of tn,
soldiers, who will go over the mountains nea
Meacham's, it is likely" said Earle.
ooh, how can we get along without you?" sale
Bertha "And what if the Indians should com,
across your path"
II do not think they will dare come up here any
nearer now that the troops are coming towarc
them," said Earle. "They will be apt to turn an,
go the other way. l think ! ought to take m,
horses up and if it is necessary, 20 myself to hell
protect the poor settlers on the other side of TIM
mountains"
"Oh, my husband ~ exclaimed Bertha, "hov
can ! let you go?'
"Would you not wish to have help to protec
your little ones, if you were in the path of tn
savage w4rriOrs ?" said Earle
eyes, OF course; but who knows but we may b.
in danger ourselves" said Bertha "And VIII
will go with you? You would not leave us will
| no one bui Johnny"
NO" said Earle; 81 will take Johnny will
me, and shall not be gone but few days unles
my services needed / think you are quit
safe here nestled at the foot Of the mountains AM
away from any main road"
II think such places are just the ones that tn
Indians choose for their depredations - s,i