Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-09-05
Old ros road Of His Hole thew conld

old FoH FoAd Of His Hole" they could
reach Fort Reno, and once under the
protection of the American flag, he
could laugh at the charge o: having
stolen an old hat, should Peeconowah
mako 1t, and in any event the chief
would DO obliged to accept few dollars
In full payment Of the damage done
him. Gin-Ghi was now TO be put to
good service. He was to make friends
with the children and squaws Of the
chiefs family. and above all was to do
conowah's teepee. In this way they
would become accustomed TO his pres
ence, and neither note his coming or GO
ing. little rocking that the willy yellow
skinned Celestial was never widcr
awake in his lie. The Englishman. for
his part, was too busy himself riding
about collecting medicine plants. and in
order that there might be no delay he
invariably saddled Gin Ghi's pony and
took him along, under pretense of need.
ing the animal to carry the bundles Of
herbs which he tied to the saddle-bow.
In few days there was to be a hunt.
The village would be quite deserted
save by children and squaws. The plan
worked to a charm. The real Napoleon
hat was quietly replaced by the bogus
one, and with the coveted bit of historic
headgear pulled firmly down over his
head, Joshua Merritt swung his long leg
over tho saddle and dashed out OF the
village. But his JOY was destined to be
short lived, for scarcely had their horses
warmed to their work when Gin Ghi's
quick ears caught the shIill whoop of
the pursuing kickapoos.
At first Joshua was inclined to pooh
pooh Gin Chi S assertion and to assure
him that it was only the cry OF a stray
coyote. But it grew louder and louder.
There was no mistaking it now. The
kickapoos were after them! However,
as half OF the distance to the fort had
already been put behind them, there
was a chance yet to reach it in safety.
Ride, ride for your life, Gin Chi,
yelled the long. gaunt Englishman,
pulling the Napoleon hat down tighter
over his head and lashing his horse
furiously.
The little n liam pony had gone lame
the day before, and although he made
a gallant effort to follow the towering
Rosinante bestridden by the tall Joshua
like wooden god, yet it was all in
vain. The road suddenly roughened up
and called for tho surest of feet to avoid
stumbling.
"A ouIlll, uS-uTuWu CRY OI lTlRuU anu
pain suddenly assaulted Merritt's ears.
Gin-Ghi had gone to the ground with
his pony, and the Infatuated Indians
were in full sight Although he would
willingly have given his own life to land
the Napoleon hat safe in his museum at
Liverpool, yet Joshua Merritt was too
good an Englishman TO abandon fell
lOw-being in moment of peril. He
wheeled his horse about, and, swinging
himself from his saddle, with two
strides reached the fallen Chinaman.
The kickapoos, with murderous shrieks,
came down upon them; but calmly and
quietly, as if facing troupe of stage
Indians, he spread his long, strong legs
over the PROSTATE Gin Chi, and, draw
ing his revolver. faced the bowling band
Of Kichapoos with tight-set jaws.
In another instant dozen bullets
would have pierced his long body had
not protector sprang to his rescue.
The black horse which brought this
much needed help seemed to have
leaped from one of the mountain gorges.
To Merritt's amazement the rider was
a woman wearing a blue cloth riding
habit set off by narrow gold braid, and
black felt hat. from which single
black plume streamed gracefully. AS
she refined in her superb black beast,
which she had thrown between the
Englishman and the Indians, the latter
fell back with grunt of anger.
Shame, Peecopowah, cried the lady,
whom Joshua now for the first time
recognized as Mrs. Hetty Waldron. ito
make war on travellers in this way!
How dare you attack white man under
the very shadow of Fort Reno, almost
in my SON hearing?"
The chief gave grunt Of indignation.
Dark lady"-so was Hetty called by
the Indians-"thls man has wronged
Peeconowah," grumbled the chief. He
has stolen his hat" at which words
there was general outburst of grunts
of INDIGNATION.
Stolen your HAITI" ECHOED Hetty in
unfeigned Amusement.
yes. dark lady" repeated the chief
Of the Kickapoos, It's even now upon
, his head"
Merritt drew forth handful of gold
coin and rendered it to Peeconowah.
Yes. that's so, that's So" he blurted
out. but had no intent to steal the
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