The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-25
AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE.

How Col Broadwater's Coolnsss Once
Saved Him From Death.
A chapter from N. p. Langford's "vigi-
lants Days and WayS'' illustrates the pro-
verbal kindheartsdnes of Col. Broad
water as we'll 40 his coolness under all cir
cumstanoss. Two desperadoes named
Moore and Reeves had been banishsd from
bannack and had come to mining oamr
near Deer Lodge City. Broadwatsr and
Psnlbsrton, two young men who came into
the territory some tine before. were in the
camp when the sxiles arrived, and had built
two cabins. one Of which was vacant. The
wssther was very cold. for it was in tho
middle OF February. Moore and Reeves
eamped near clump of willows with no
protection except blanket and very little
food. Moore was taken sick with mountain
fever when Broadwatsr too him 10 the
vacant cabin and gave him foed and medi-
cirss until he had recovered. Then he Qsve
him pony to get to Bannack after ths SEN
tenoe Of banishment had been removed.
The next year Broadwater was in Bannack,
whore he had sold herd Of cattle. The
sales amounted to 5000 in gold dust,
which he had Strapped upon his body pre-
pairing to return to Deer Lodge. The des-
perado Moore called en- him and in q spirit
Of gratitude for kin dnsss received told him
ehat party OF road agents were planning
to kill and rob him. While Moore belonged
to this very band Broadwater took his word
and left that evening alone with his horse
Hole river. Here he shot an Indian Who
was cndeavoring to steal his horse and
continued.
The rest Of the story 10 given partly in the
authors words: Just before daylight
Broadwater began to descend the dselivity
at whose foot flowed one Of the fornainR
streams of the Deer Lodge river, He was
congratulating himself that the dangers of
his trip were over. These thoughts re-
ceived . sudden shock when, turning an
abrupt angle in the road, he saw seated by
q camp fire the very persons against whom
Moore had warned him. George Ivos was
one and Johnny Cooper the other. Broad
waters va quick eye took in the situation.
The road agents horses we're feeding in
the foot hills two miles away. They hailed
him as he passed and urged him to wait
saying they would accompany him. He
replied that he was in hurry, and to allay
suspicion rode ahead slowly. The horse
was greatly fatigusd and he was still twenty
miles from the second % crossing Of the Deer
Courtney lived He fully realized his peril
when he glanced back and saw tho road
agents preparing to pursue him. Il was
race for life. When half the distance had
oeen travelled by his jaded horse be
ooked back, and amid q cloud of
lust loss than three miles away
aw the robbers in fell pursuit. and gaining
IN him. On andtfa he spurred the horse
md expecting at every turn to feel the fatal
'ullet: At last the Frenchmsn's house ap-
feared in view and final and desperate |
tlugRle was made to reach it. When ths
'ursuers we're less than fifty yards away
he horse fell from exhaustion before the |
abin door. lie had been ruined, but had |
aved his masters life. The three men
hared the Frsnohman's hospitality, and
hon Broadwater's wits were set to work to
ontrive plan to escape his pursaers dur
ng the next twenty miles of the journey.
ie told Courtnay what the robbers were
fter and made secret bargain with him
or horae one OF the heetest in the terri
Dry. After a st the animal was led to
he door and before the road agents could
st their horses Broadwater was away and
cached the terminus Of his journey with
o further difficulty.