Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1891-12-03

NtCIutus anu WIN tuo otta hstet ssos@. v.
the horizon the horsemen headed toward
a wooded ridge, at the base ofwhich they
hoped TO find shelter against the cutting
wind. and fuel for fire. There was dry
grass, too. for their ponies.
They rode on silently. Wharton had
not seen another Indian during the day,
and was sanguine Of reaching the Agency
without collision with them. 1t was bis
wish to avoid any conflict or skirnish
until after reporting at headquarters, for
grave consequences sometimes flow at
such juncture from even trifing col
lision.
The scout, therefore, uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise when, just before
reaching the spot selected for their camp,
he saw the CLEAN of q fire through the
trees.
"Hello!" he exclaimed, bringing his
pony to halt. 'Some of them are
fhere!"
"What matter?" answered Briff.
"They are my people; they will not
harm you when am with you"
Frick was not entirely satisfied, but
he had now full faith in his companion,
and went on. The two rode side by side
until they reached the edge of the wood.
Briff slipped from his pony first, and
hurried forward as il to open the way for
his friend, who was but few steps be-
hind him. There were three Ogallalas,
and they had noted the horsemen before
the latter saw them. They greeted Briff
stolidly, and each one as stolidly offered
his hand to Prick, as he came forward to
the campfire where they stood.
1t was proof of Tricks wide nc
quaintance with the red men that he knew
every one of these Ogallalas and accosted
them by name, in their own language.
Two were young bucks-both striking
specimens of their race, finely formed,
tall and graceful, eand oil were well
armed.
The third, known among the white
people as Jim, was an old Indian. Prick
had met him on the reservation several
times during his service as scout, and
any trouble. He was taciturn and re-
served, like most of his people, and it was
evident that he, too, recognized the white
man, whom he called by name, and re-
ferred to the time when they smoked
their pipes together at Pine Ridge
Agency.
jim was the last to take the hand oil
Frick, who noticed that his behavior was
peculiar. He pressed Tricks hand with {
warmth not ut all like an Indian. and
fixing his black eyes on those of Frick
looked searchingly into his face, without
speaking.
Exactly what he meant by this curious
procedure was more than our friend eoulC
guess, but it had the effect to make hin
watch the two young Ogallalas closely.
They had prepared q joint of venison
of which all partook. The Ogallalai
showed no disposition to "turn in" 70
the night they mounted soon, and rode
to the eastward, and Wharton thought il
best to press on toward the Agency. HI
and Britt, therefore, said good-by for
mally to their late hosts, and rode south
ward in the gathering dusk.
Frick had become convinced that the
three Ogallalas were hostile, and tina
when tho outbreak camo they would b
among the fiercest of the warriors.
! The young bucks showed suppresse
excitement in every movement, an
Wharton was sure that nothing bu
, Briff's influence restrained them fror
: bouncing upon him.
Briff had exchanged whispered word
with tho bucks. Frick had no doubt tina
these words were in his behalf. But ha
tho Ogallalas disappeared for good whe
they vanished across the prairie in tn
gloom?
As the scout and the Indian rode alon
Briff was silent, communing with him
self. When Frick questioned him, h
/, said that he had sought to dissuade Jill
and his companions from joining in til
hostilities that were soon to break out
but that his good words were throw
away.
!, Briff showed no disposition to talk full
Their, and Frick did not press him. The
rode ON in silence.
The weather was still keenly cold, bJ
9 the ground was free from snow, and til
ponies loped forward at an easy gai
The full moon rose. 1t was obscure
now and then by drifting clouds, so this
sometimes they saw but little way
Shs st 9tAsE sass esF view WAS
Less than an hour after starting, til
q observaAt Frick noticed that his compaI
ion, instead of keeping his pony besit
$ his, showed disposition to fall to ii
II rear. When he first discovered it, Bri
Q was twenty feet behind him.
5 Frick looked suddenly back and abate
his own gait, so as to permit the India
. to draw up again.
Q "Is your horse tired ?" asked Frick.
"Im afraid so"
:. "Then well go slower"
o Briff rode up, and they went side b
side again. But as Frick strained h
y eyes looking at some object in distai
r belt Of moonlight, he noticed Brif We
K again dropping behind.
q Without appearing to divert his after
l. ton from the distant object, Wharto
n watched the Indian, aud made sure th'
he was holding in his animal. Frick d
= the same, and they were side by sic
y again.
L Frick said nothing, but just at tn
e moment he caught the sound of horse
N hoofs ON the prairie TO tho eastward.
% "Thosc fellows are coming back, i
thought, "and there will be trouble"
g The noise OF the hoofs was heard onl
W for moment, as though it had bee
l. thrown forward by puff of wind, or 0
10 animal had stumbled. Without attrac
% ing the attention of tho Indian, Eric
glanced i'm the direction whence the sour
ID came, but could sec nothing of the hors
D. men from whom he had parted but
" short time before. He said nothing
g what no had heard, and Brif held h
10 peace, though he must have noted it.