Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-02-08

Zeb Deke hain't ben scouting on these
ar prarys nigh on ter thirty years not
ter know what he is talkin' about:
vas, vas, lads, yer will have chance
with yer little guns"
Zeb now left them and walked hur-
riedly up to the wagon in which was
seated JiEmy's father.
Say, mister, want to see yer"
Eyes, zeb, what can / do for youar
said Mr.. Western, dismounting and
coming up to Zeb.
Yer can't do much fer me, Mr..
Western, said Zeb, shifting a quid of
tobacco from one side Of his mouth to
the other, ssbut / reckin can do some
thin fer YER"
what do you mean, zebi" said Mr..
Western.
He means Injins," excitedly ex-
claimed Jimmy, coming up.
Hush, Jimmy; what Is it, Zebs'
said Jimmy's father, turning pale.
"Just this, Mr.. New Yorker, that
fer the last few miles thar's signs OF
Injins. Not word to the wimmin' y
exclaimed Zeb hurriedly, as he saw
Mr.. Western turn toward the wagons,
''Doggoned eff want ter hear pack
of wimmin and young ones squalI and
holler. Jist yer give Their word
ter camp fer the night at the little run,
not MORN dozen rods ahead" ex-
planned Zeb.
Mr.. Western did as Zeb directed,
and then called the men together.
Friends, there is work ahead, /
fear, for u.s." said Mr.. Western.
Each man clutched his tr,lsty gun
more closely, and determined look
settled on every face.
Gentlemen, thar's squally times
ahead and tough work" remarked
Deke. Some har raising afore morn
in"
"What shall we do, Zeba we will
follow you and your advice"
'Wal, friends, put the wagonsin.a
circle. correl the animals, SOS the
blamed varnints would stampede 'em,
and git the wimmin and youngsters
into the center, then throw up breast
works of the proverder, furniture,
etc." said Zeb.
THAT dod rotted old Blaclfoot chief,
Big Thunder, with aganrof his sneak
in devilish cut threats, are mot many
miles ahead. Yer seen me talkin' with
Their stranger this mornin'i Wal,
that's old Kell Hammer, the terror of
the Injins, and he told me of the sus-
picions of his'n, and see they will be
verified. said old Zeb.
"Yer member the train that left st
Joe the mornin' ahead of vert Wal,
they hadn't as good teams as yer has
and could not travel so fast. They
amt moro than twenty miles ahead.
II say, Sep, I'm mighty glad met
you" said Jimmy.
Sep had lived near the Missouri
river all his life, and frontier life was
an every day occurrence to him.
He had taught Jimmy to shoot his
gun, use bow and arrow, and ride a
bucking horse; in fact they were in
separable, and Jimmy had acquired
quite an idea of western life.
Gas soon as it gets darker will do
a little reconorterin' on my own
hook said Zeb. "Ef my suspicious
are kerreck I win push ahead and
bring back force from the advanced
party. Yer keep sharp lookout but
keep cool, no attact will come til near
mornin', that's the Injin on it. said
Deke.
Darkness closed about the little
party. No supper was cooked oreaten
that night, for, though Sep and jim
my both had appetites like young
bears, they were too much excited to
eat. Mrs. Western, with little Ella
clasped in her arms, and the other
women and children gathered about
her, was as pale as marble, vet cool
and collected. :
Pickets and lookouts were stationed
under Zeb's directions.
II guess 1 don't want to be cow
boy" said Jimmy in whisper to Sep,
where they were both huddled under
the protection Of wagon. 81 believe
I'd rather be back in New York, no
Iuiins there. only in the shows, and
they won't shoot Teller, truly
''Well, YOU bet old Big Thunder
will shoot every time, Jim, but you
must not show the white feather, fit
is fight, why fight" said Sep.
Keep your gun ready and keep
cool. Jim.S
Mrs Western here beckoned to Jim
nv. "Ohl nv boy, my boy, this is
terrible. Obi why did we come. why
did we leave New York; Still. Unjust
not complain: father did for the best,
he thought. We must trust to God,
Jimmy. 3
eyes, mother I will. and I will
helm father protect Won and little Ella,
Amt / glad / know how to shoot2'
added Jimmy. fondly batting his lit
tie rifle
"Harkl what's thatg" whispered
ONE
1.-THE sound of muffied feet whis-
nered Mr.. March.
saTbeir coming sure. Tim nsaid Sen.
s:brace upW
Far out in the darkness was seen
sbadowy forms circlinp round and
round. Now and then dark object
would anpear above the grass. Nearer
Investigation would bave fold vol, that
Il was q Rlackfoot,s tufted head
The men waited with hated breath.
saTbev think ms asleenn wh;snered
Son
t.Well Won het amt asIeen y INIT
tared JifnInv. s.mv hair is sf;ffSr than
norc,n;na mills WIN INV hat Is
lifted eff from NV head1
A dark form was now seem to emeroe
from the tall Grass snate lie crawl
;n~ nearer end nearer
1;mmy drew his o,,n IN his shouL
dar 70 sSoot M e 49, ~ ~
ooA " ohoOs.