St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-21
FOUND UNDER WATER.
Minnesota Story of Vain Pursui
by a Band of Indians.

by a Band of Indians.
"Dive for your life, and come up I'M
der the tree!"
These words yelled from inside of
hollow tree thirty years ago to man
pursued by Indians, says writer in the
POst-Dispatch. The tree was on the
shore of a large lake, near Pelican
Rapids, MINI. The whole country was
swarming with the GedSkIns that took
part in the great Indian outbreak" 1t
was an early autumn day. | had been
out hunting, for the Indians had been
quiet for some weeks, and no
FEARS were entertained of immediate
trouble in our section. l did not take
my dog, for | knew it would be risky to
have dog in case of an attack by saw
ages, when the least noise might betray
me. The sequel proved the wisdom of
my bOyish Judgment. Though but
eighteen years old knew every path
i'll the wilderness as well as the rabbits,
and III summer spent most of the days
bathing In the lake. Notwithstanding
all my outdoor exercise | was slender
and delicate-looking youth. But wasn't
GLAD one day that was thin. l went
dead tree that lifted its gaunt
form away up into The sky. 1t stood
so close to the water that the waves
had swept under it and washed away
the earth from the roots, making a big
cavity where it had once drawn nour-
iShment for its branches. l had often
longed to look under there and know
all about the mysteries of that cave. So
one day, feeling more than usually
reckless, | took long pole, poking
around in the hole to see whether
of in
dived in. As l got we'll under
the hill L discovered that the
cave was light. and that
could see bottom. [ kicked back till [
got out. Here was mystery sure.
Another breath and down | went again.
This time l turned on my back and
looked up. a great flood of light came
down the old tree. The storms of years
above and below had jointly eaten out
the old trunk till it stood shell from
root to top.
dived directly under the light. Then
reached up and felt the opening.
Through this stuck my head and one
arm. Then breathing was easy. for
there was plenty OF air. l told nobody
of my secret and chuckled every time
L thought of my wood parlOr. The
next day took with me an AK and cut
out the opening Till it was large enough
even for man. Then L cut little eve
holes q called them ''peepers') through
the sides so that l could see any one
approaching. The day when it really
became retreat | was sitting on the
bank of the favoIite spot, debating
whether it was too late i'll the year
and whether the water was too cold for
taking farewell plunge. l had almost
made up my mind not to go in when a
rifle shot came booming across the lake.
The shot was still echOlng among the
trees above me when a white man
dashed down the shore and ran along
the beach. At his heels came a band of
Indians. Every now and then | could
see one raise his bow and let fly an ar
row. Back into the woods the fleet
white man darted, taking my direction.
A few minutes and they might be upon
me. But l smiled as | thought of the
tree, and quickly threw off my clothes.
which l tied in a bundle and fastend
about my waist.
Then | layed my ear to the ground
and listened. Tramp. tramp came the
dull sound of running feet, growing
clearer and clearer. l hesitated no
longer, but plunged in and soon had my
eyes to the peppers" The water had
scarcely dried OH my flesh when, crash
ing IhIOuSu tne unuerOruSI, came Jne
hunted man. The terrible squirt
of speed by which he had mo-
mentarily left his pursuerS behind
had told on him. and now, breath
less, pale and ready to fall, he
leaned against the tree. He had thrown
away his rifle in the race, but now he
drew his revolver, and, hiding behind
the tree, prepared to meet arrow with
bullet. His head was only few inches
from my mouth as cried to him to dive
under the tree and come in. The Cry
so near him only added to his fright,
and his revolver nearly fell from his
hand.
Don't be afraid. l am inside the
tree. Join me and you are safe.''
leaned over the opening and extend
ed helping hand into the water. There
was splash, and in second | had fast
hold of a buckskin-clothed arm, and |
drew him up into the tree, he shivering
with the bath and awful fear l had
only time to get back to my peppers
when the bloOd-thirsty troop came
bounding on his track. His sudden
disappearance stunned them. Down OH
their knees they went, examining