The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1892-02-25
An InDIAN- SCARE.


Tale Of Life Up the Yellowstone When
Reds We're Plenty.
On the sunny side Of pile OF square
timbers down on the river bank lour-
nal reporter encountered a company Of
old river men. They were swapping
yarns about oldsiays 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 at length stalwart
fellow, whose tawny mnstache and
keen eyes showed no sign Of age, threw
away the stub Of the cigar he had been
putting and spolsel
~ was pretty lusty kid when was
booked as a deck hand on the steamer
Key West then about to set out on her
exploring trip up the Yellowstone. 1t
was in 1879, when sitting Ball and
Spotted Eagle were at the zenith OF
their career, and were supposed TO
guard jealousy all the upper country
from the intfusions of civilized institu-
tions, and after we passed Fort Peck
we never thought of tying up for a
night without throwing out pickcts
Gen. Forsy the 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
dians 1t was his habit to tie up for
the night wherever there was a supply
Of dry wood sufficient to fire the boilers
for 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.
thought nothing of that ! sat there
until dusk, and had just hauled in
fiAe big catfish, when was startled
by hearing some twigs crack on the
bank above me. listened and thought
/ could detect the sound of footsteps
coming, toward me. For time was
too much frightened to move, for fear
of fastening the fate which felt was
hanging over me. Presently the crack
ing of a branch nearer thansbefore sent
my heart into my throat and convinced
me that must act at once. / had two
lines at work, and dropping both Of
them / sid as noiselessly as possible
into the current and swan down until
knew by the boats lights that was
inside the picket lines Then crawled
out, and going to headquarters reported
Indians lurking on the bank above.
Yellowstone Kelly was scouting for
us, and taking me-with him led the way
up the bank. We passed the pickets
who when they heard of my discovery
cooked their rifles and prepared for the
worst. 1t was now perfectly dark, and
Kelly, hating, asked me in whisper
If we were near the place had been
fishing. Before i could answer there
went up the most uncarthly howl from
point just in front of us, accompanied
by a crashing in the brush. found
myself holding my gun horizontally
above my head as if Ito fend off the
blows of the tomahawks momentarily
expected would PUNK down into my
brains. My knees shook and | could
not have drawn breathsif it had saved
me from the fate apprehended
~ stood there until touch Of some
thing wet against my face made me
yell out in spite of myself. 1t was
hand. and was convinced it was wet
with Kelly's blood, for when the yell
went up he had plunged down the bank
into the brush. Imagine my relief
when heard Yellowstone voice say
ing, Coyotes, ye blamed fooll' and
striking a match he held up all that re-
manned of my string of fish. A couple
OF coyotes had been making fine meal
off them. Sioux City journal.