The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-11-17

"
were on their way home w. Tennessee
They had heard Of Mack Al Lavigne's
three days before. and had neen trying
70 oyertake him.
They. too. were on their way east
ward to take part in the great struggle
then going forward; but they intended
70 join the southern army, while he was
going TO join tho Union forces.
Partner said one OF the southern
ers "lets stick together and fight to-
gether through this here Indian coun-
try, and after we get home we'll fight
sach other"
IAN right" said Mack, Its agreed.
N0rtherners is northerners and south
erners is southeners, but lnjins 10
pizen.'
So these deadly enemies Of the near
future went on together, comrades in
danger. Every man of the three was
equipped with stout muzzle loading
rifle and large Colts revolver.
They set out together on the trail and
had advanced but few miles from the
burned station when they sighted
squad OF mounted Indians, who had just
broken camp ut mountain spring be-
side the trail They were several hun
dred yards in advance when they were
discovered, and were just riding out Of
the depression which gave rise to the
spring
On account Of his long experience in
the country Mack had been given the
leadership by the Tennesseeans Hs
came TO halt and told his companions
to get oil their horses, hoping they
might possibly escape notice; but even
while they were dismounting the In
dians caught sight OF them. and wheel
ing their ponies about came back at q
gallop straight down the trail They
spread ont in sort OF fan shape as they
came, and Mack counted twenty-six.
"Git ready for business. boys, said
he quietly. Behind your horses, re-
volvers handy, and rifles across saddlesl"
The Indians came on ut reckless pace
until within about II hundred yards,
when Mack. stepping out from behind
his horse, shouted and motioned them
back
They pulled up suddenly. One Of
them slipped from his pony. and hand
ing the rein and his gun to comrade
came forward on foot, gorgeous in col
ored blanket, IL white slouch hat stuck
with ravens feathers, and variety oil
brilliant paints daubed upon his face
Rnd breast
de was big fellow and walked with
swinging stride,
"how! how" said he, ~ he halted a
few PAGES distant and grinned hideous-
ly through his paints
"How do you doy" answered Mack
What do you wantf'
The Indian shook his head in token
that he did not understand English.
"Hablan ustedes Gspanoly' do you
speak SpanishYy asked the Indian,
Mack, who had picked up Il smattering
Of Spanish, answered that he did. In
this tongue the indian asked where they
were going
Mack answered that they were going
home to the land where the sun rose
and asked in turn what the chief--for
such the Indian undoubtedly was
wanted
The Arapaho told him If the white
men would surrender theirhorses, mules,
guns and ammunition they might keep
their blankets and 20 on, and he would
not let his warriors molest them.
For reply Mack indicated, partly in
Spanish and partly by gestures, that the
Indians might have the ammunition
through the muzzles Of the guns and
the weapons and animals after their
owners were dead
AT this the Indian grinned, and tried
to turn the matter Off asa joke, He then
asked If Mack and his party were going
to camp at Big Medicine springs that
night, and upon being told that they
were said that his camp was there, and
that he and his braves would keep the
white men company
But the white men might, he said,
travel in advance, since in this way they
would escape the dust the Indians horses
would make.
Mack declined thiscourteous offer, but
told the Indian that he and his compan.
ions would follow. They did not mind
travelling in the dust at all, especially
as there was no dust on the sun baked
plain.
The Arapaho laughed again, 'mighty
unpleasant" Us one Of the Teunesseeani
put it, and wheeling about strobe back
to his men.
Aftera moments conversation with
them he sprang into his saddle, and
with II beckoning motion to the whit,