The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1889-12-25
H0STIN KAR.
AN INDIAN STORY BY A NORTH
CAROLINlAN.

Members of the Geological Survey Bare
ly Escape ScaIPins by HOstin Ia
and the NavajOe Indians.
From the Youths Companion]
NOrthward of Fort Defiance, and som,
sixty miles away, are the Navajoe Noun
tains in the midst of the reservation Sc
apart for the Indians of this name. Thes,
mountains are very rugged, but being vel
watered and timbered are finely adapted
for grazing purposes, and long since woulc
have been divided into homesteads ane
ranches had not immigration been re
stricted
Hostin Kar, for many years chief of the
Nava1oes, was quarrelsome old savage
and before these mountains were given tc
his people was hostile toward white set
tiers desiring to enter them. And so jeal
ously has he guarded the hills since they
were his that, till within a few years, nc
'Pelecano" had ever returned to tell what
he might have found in their Businesses.
In the course of the Western surveys, il
became II. cessary for the engineer to enter
these Navajoe Mountains. A young man,
whom we may cali Herbert, was despatch
ed, with several assistants and an Indian
guide, to do there the necessary topograph-
ic work. Fancying the report of Hostin
Kars bad temper was mere rumOr, he
neglected to communicate first with the
chief, or take the precaution of a military
escort. With his little party, and follow
ed by the necessary pack-mules bearing
instruments and camp equipage, Herbert
entered the reservation and pitched his
camp one evening about ten miles from
the Navajoe foothills.
'We hadbeen in camp but little while,' 81
so he afterward said, "when an old Indian
came riding along, and stopped by our fire
to beg for tobacco and food, or anything
else we would give him
''He seemed to be an unusually good
natured old fellow, and, after he had ca
ten something and lighted his pipe, in
formed us that he was on his way to a
great dance to be held that night near the
foot of the mountains. AS we questioned
him, he told us more of it. It was to be
a big occasion, and his people were COM
ing from all parts of the reservation.
There would be no objection to our 60
ing, so he answered, and, partly from Gu
riosity, as we'll as to make friends with
those we might meet. we determined to
a. company him.
Ten miles through the piny woods, fol
lowing the old Indian along the moonlit
trail, was but an airy jaunt for youths ac-
customed to the saddle. AS we neared the
mountains, the trail wound among the
hills, and presently from an elevation We
looked down into level glade and the
ground was dotted with camp fires.
cit was hardly minute after riding
through the circle of camp fires before the
whole camp seemed to know that Peleca
noes were among them, and came crowd
ing about our mules begging for tobacco
A small quantity had been brought for a
peace offering, but this was soon exhaust
ed, and a hundred hands, angry at being
empty, were thrust toward US, while the
request for 'natto' fast became a demand
''Already we had discovered that whis
ence many were eager for mischief. We
had chosen bad time for our visit.
"'You lie! you lie! you liev went uf
with babel of voices, as we declared We
had given all we had, and forthwith they
desired to search our saddle pockets.
"a mule is restive in the presence OF
Indians, and the blow that gave a ma
rauder's hand was hardly necessary, fol
my animal began to strike out dangerously
as they crowded near.
''The suggestion was followed up, and
backing our mules gently, the swarthy
circle gave way till we were somewhat
free, when, turning, we rode off leisurely
toward the forest, calling back to them
GOOD BYEs in most friendly spirit; but
once on the trail within the shadow of the
pines, we made the stones rattle as WI
scurried away from the dangerous neigh
borhoOd.
1T was late the next morning when WI
passed through the deserted camp-ground
on our way toward the hills.
'sNot an Indian had been seen till neal
sundown, when we reined up at the hui
of an old savage, who, with his squaw
occupied bit CT arabic ground away of
there in the george.
'.Could we camp there? Did he hav'
any corn2 Might our animals feed on hi
!and2 He had heard of us through thos'
at the dance, knew we were coming int
the mountains, and was kindly disposed
so our camp was pitched there for tn
night.
s'Hardly were tents up and fires lighted
when two Indians we're discovered comm.
down the canon from the mountains.
"Riding up to the hut of the Old man
they entered into parley with him, ant
by their signs and gestures soon made u
aware that we were under discussion.
''Speaking in Navajoe, their words wer
signs are so largely used that our Put
| guide, who observed attentively, readil
| understood what was conveyed. His fac
was not so stolid but that it expresses
some anxiety as the two horsemen rod
| off down the canon.
eve were at once informed that thes
were messengers from Hostin Kar. Th
Big Chief had heard of our intended jour
ney into his mountains, and had sent cou
riers to cut off our retreat. The Navajoe
along the canon, and those below, woul
have positive orders that we should nc
| return.
''The matter was assuming a seriou
aspect. Had a more experienced fror
tiersman been in command, he woul
have have taken the Piute's advice: hav
follwed the two Indians at once, and enc
ed their mission before the lower cano
was advised of the Big Chiefs orders; br
we hesitated to act with such severe deci
ion, aud when convinced that it was d.
sirable, the opportunity was lost.
''The bearing of the old Navajoe b
came altogether changed toward US, an
when questioned, he was either silent {
gave surly answers. He was sure his PEI
pie would shoot us if we attempted to =
back down the canon. Did not know VIII;
Hostin Kar would do. but thought
would shoot us, anyway. Pelecano ia
no business OH Indians land.
1.-The situation was unpleasant. 1t W;
impossible to leave the canon at tn;
point; our path was either forward (
back. The fate of the party was certai
| - nd