The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-03

from securing all the best claims
when the gold field should 20
found. They ~iourneyed together q Gay
ior 40 whom they we're joined w nearly s1l
ths others who had deserted the boats. Sow
aral days passed before rebellion arose. The
majority tired of tho journey. and hopeless
Of finding the ledge were ready TO turn
back. Healy, Eph Boatwick, jon Perkins
and Driscoll alone were determined No ~
on, and OF all who started these men Alone
continued tho journey. The others turned
back; some were drowned, others died and
the remaining ones finally reached Flor
ence.
Healy and his companions followed along
tho right bank Of the river. 9 ioae q
succession VI Lodges high in tho air md
furnishing no means OF access totho i1aoun-
tains except BY hard climbing from bench
to bench. -Four brayer or more determined
men naver went on q search. While they
never Thought of abandoning they became
daily cognizant of the hardships. The pro-
visions had reached q painfully low ebb
and the travellers were forced TO look out
for game to keep them alive.
Ono evening they were seated about q
camp fire on the bank of the river cooking
supper when Healy saw q dog on an upper
bench. A few minutes later q chill
went through the crowd when two Indian
In full dress Appeared on
the bench. Healy wanted to bring
the Indians down BY signs and put
them in Tho river for he recognized
them as Bannocks and knew they were after
scalps. The others would not consent to
this. That night they waded about . rock
and changed camp. They built a frs, Tor
they we're chilled by the water. and cooked
the few grains Of coffee left. In the morn
ing they found the benches literally alive
with Indians. They werein every corner OF
the hills. A rock offered a barricade to the
whites. They were fairly cornered With no
means of escape tsor the Bannocks were we'll
armed and were watchfnl. Bostwick. who
was a dead shot. killed every Indian who
came within range, but their places were
filled by others. Pinned against the rock
this little band remained from day to day
without eating. 1t was death to leave and
death from starvation to stay. Their snf-
ferings from hunger on the third were ter
rible and on the fourth day they had all but
given up hope of life. But they stood
their ground and the Bannocks discouraged
of capturing the men or reasonably sure
they had left. gave up the siege. That night
the four rock-bound prisoners crawled from
their entertainment. They climbed up the
benches as fast as their little strength
would allow, and often had miraculous es-
capes from falls. In a day or so they
reached the mountain country and then
started in a vague and uncertain direction
- 7a.-l&r a.oL; - NFor~y,nr rook xuhiNh mona
Of the party had seen but which was known
to be many miles away. And yet for six days
not a particle OF food had passed their lips.
They passed through wooded mountains,
grassy prairies and by small running streams
without finding signs of animal life. II
seemed to Mr. Healy like q great deserted
garden never designed for habitation. The
men grew weaker and weaker and their
footsteps became slower and more painful.
A days journey could be measured by a
pistol shot. Perkins mind became unset
tied, and all were becoming desperate and
hopeless. No one knows the thrill OF Joy
that came to their hearts when they saw the
low, gray adobe walls Of the fort, and still
more difficult is it to tell Of the fearful de-
spair when they found the place abandoned.
Not a particle Of food could be found save
a little garlic and a few sunfowers. These
were eaten. but afforded no nourishment.
Perkins said he could go no further and
Healy said he would stay with him. Bos-
timex determined to make one more effort
to get help. Healy cut off his shirt to make
moccasons for Bostnick Il they were de-
liberating, when two strangers rode down
the deserted plaza to the group. In a
startled way they looked at the gaunt
forms, shrunken cheeks and burning eyes
of the four pitiful human beings.
s.Great God" said one, what is the mat
ter?'
Cant you see we are starving" replied
Healy in a broken voice.
The visitors belonged to q wagon train
some distance beyond. The rode back and
told the others that a band of outlaws in q
starving condition were at Fort Lemhi, and
then returned with a little flour m bacon.
This was eaten by Healy and his compan-
ions. but nauseated them. They were
nearer death than ever, and could hardly
have lasted the next day had not the trair
arrived with Healy's friend. Jack Menden-
hall, in charge. Before this arrival a beau
tiful white dove few over the deserted
buildings n stopped twenty yards from thu
party. Bostwick drew out his revolver
which contained the only charge of ammu
milton in the party.
"Boys, I am going to try my nerve,' HI
said. 4e
"Fire into the BODY said Healy.
Head or nothing" replied Bostwick.
He fred, and the head of the birt
dropped from the body. This bird was tn
first meat for ten days and was quickl,
finished. ,
This ends the story. They returned witt
the train to Florence and learned tina
, searching parties were looking for them il
+ all directions. The great gold quartz ledR
turned out a myth, though the experience,
t did not cure Healy Of his fondness for in
~vestigation.
J Order hard anthracite or Lethbridge coal. DR.
yellow or white pine and FIR from Herbert Mich
> olson g. Co, Ltd. corner Park avenue and edward
T, street. Telephone 1926.
a Eoys s to 15 Years Old
And others of all ages and occupations
Form a resolution for the new year an
start an account in the Montana Saving
bank. Five dollars Il week for a few year
with five per cent interest will make vol