St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-02-20
AN INDIAN SCARE.
A Tale OF Life Up the Yellowstone When
Rcla Were Plenty.

| A Tale OF Life Up the Yellowstone Who's
Reds Were Plenty.
On the sunny side of a pile of square
timbers down on the river bank . Jour
nal reporter encountered company OF
old river men. They were swapping
yarns about old days on the upper Mis-
souri,, and many and marvellous were
the tales they told Most of the men
had been captains or pilots or officers
in some sort. but Mt length . stalwart
fellow. whose tawny mustache aud
keen eyes showed no sign of age, threw
away the stub OF the cigar he had been
putting and spoke:
II was . pretty lusty kid when was
booked IS . deck hand on the steamer
Key West, then about to set out on her
exploring trip up the Yellowstone. II
was in 1873, when Sitting Bull and
Spotted Eagle were at the zenith of
their career. and were supposed to
guard jealously all the upper country
from the intrusions of civilized institu-
tions. and after we passed Fort Peck
we never thought Of tying up for a
night without throwing out pickets.
Gen. Forsythe was in command of the
expedition and was exceedingly vigil.
ant but day after day was passed with
out our discovering any signs Of In
dianA 1t was his habit to tie up for
the night wherever there was a supply
of dry wood sufficient to fire the boilers
tor the succeeding day. Frequently
we would reach such q point early in
the afternoon, and when we had gotten
the requisite quantity Of wood chopped
the hands were in the habit of going
fishing. 1T was on one OF these easy
days that wandered up the river and
sat down on some dry brushwood to
fish. was beyond the picket lines, but
having good luck with my fishing. l
thought nothing of that sat there
until dusk. and had just hauled in a
fine big catfish. when l was startled
BY hearing some twigs crack on the
bank above me. I listened and thought |
l could detect the sound of footsteps |
coming toward rue. For time was
too much frightened to move. for fear
Of fastening the fate which felt was
over me. Presently the crack |
ing of branch nearer than before sent |
my heart into my throat and convinced |
me that must act at once. had two
lines at work, and dropping both of |
them l slid as noiselessly as possible
into the current and SWAN down until
knew by the boats lights that was
inside the picket lines Then ! crawled
put. and going to headquarters reported
Indians lurking on the bank above.
Yellowstone Kelly was scouting for
IS. and taking me with him led the way
up the bank. Wc passed the pickets,
who when they heard of my discovery
,oclsed their rifles and prepared for the
worst 1t was now perfectly dark, and
Kelly, halting. asked me in q whisper
{ we were near the place had been
ishing. Before could answer there
vent up the most unearthly howl from
point just in front Of us. accompanied
y . crashing in the brush. found
myself holding my gun horizontally
Ibove my head as II to fend off the
'lows of the t3mahawks momentarily
expected would .plunk down into nv
'rains. My knees shook and I could
lot have drawn breath il it had saved
ne from the fate apprehended. i
II stood there until touch Of some-
hing wet against my face made me
ell ont in spite OF myself It was a
and. and was convinced it was'wct .
nth Kelly's blood, for when the yell
rent up he had plunged down the bank !
lto the brush. Imagine my relief
'hen heard Yellowstone voice say
,g. Coyotes, We blamed foolr' and
triking q match he held up all that re.
lained of my string Of fish. A couple
coyotes had been making fine meal I
q them, ,"-Sioux CITY Journal.