Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1891-12-05

UP vi ~ AOi' "a
blankets.
swinging lamp dangled from the
ridge-pole overhead, but had no in
clination to light it. We had padded
a good many miles since early morn
ing, and now, after a good supper l
was disposed to sleep.
As often happens on canoe trips,
sunset has found us in locality that
offered no suitable camping place.
On one side of the Susquehanna the
mountain came steep to the waters
edge, on the other side was the rail
road, running close to the shore. So,
in default OF a better site, we had
chosen this spit OF sand gravel, bare
~ ten yards in diameter, and prop
ped up our little \ tent.
\ narrow channel, swift but shall
low, separated us from the shore,
twenty yards distant The tent
faced in that direction, and without
turning my head l watched the boys
progress by the light of the lantern.
They reached the bank in safety, and
after flash or two the lantern van
ishcd in the bushes.
After this | think fell into doze.
At all events, | sat up very suddenly,
under the impression that some one
was moving outside. The smolderng
embers OF our camp lire threw lust
enough light inside to show me that
the tent was empty. | listened for a
few seconds and soon heard cautious
but unmistakable footsteps crunching
the gravel and moving toward the
front Of the tent.
concluded that the boys had re-
turned, and so sure was OF this that
without giving the matter a second
thought or even taking the trouble to
hail them, laid my head back on the
blankets, glancing carelessly as did
so through the open flaps OF the tent.
My rage OF vision extended some dis
tance up the river shore, and away of
in tie darkness Isaw the glimmer OF a
distant light.
This sudden discovery alarmed me.
reali: ed its full meaning instantly,
My companions had not returned
they were still a quarter of mile
away, and ! was at the mercy OF some
evil-minled intruder, who, believing
the camp TO be deserted, had come to
plumber.
For n few seconds, confess, fright
absolutely deprived me OF action.
Then reached into my pocket for a
little revolver that / had brought with
me, forgetting all about the guns in
the fore part of the tent. But the
weapon was in my coat pocket and
the coat was lying behind me. |
turned round very cautiously, fearing
TO make a noise, but that instant a
shadow darkened the entrance, and
an arm was thrust into the tent. 1t
was withdrawn second later, and
with it went on object that recog.
nized instantly-my double-barreled
gun, which had been leaning against
the tent poe.
My fear FLED at once. That gun had
been my companion for years and was
a most highly priced possession. Was
/ to lie quietly still and see it carried
of?
springing to my feet | shouted
angrily: Drop that gum"
No response came, only hurried
tramp Of footsteps toward the rear oil
the tent, and snatching quickly at my
coat, dashed outside and around
the angie. The thief was in full flight
j could hear him splashing through
the shallow water, and when / reach.
ed the edge of the island his form was
outlined dlmly between me and the
shore.
My determination was speedily
formed. | thrust the revolver into
my pocket, tossed the coat aside on
the sand and dashed into the water
in pursuit, Dent on recovering my
cherished weapon. | could look foI
no aid from the boys, for they were
still some distance away and up the
river, while the robber was heading
diagonally down stream. My revolver
was loaded. but ] had no desire tC
shoot the fellow, so ! fired two
chambers in the air, hoping to brinl
him 10 halt.
AT that moment he scrambled out
OH rock, and with savage exclama
ton pointed the gun straight at me
] heard the sharp click of the trigger
but it caused me not the least alarm
II had removed the shells before
cleaning the weapon that evening.
This delay on his part allowed ms
70 come within half dozen yards o.
him. Then he splashed on towards
the shore and followed close at his