The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1895-06-20

rs to the cemetery. We found that
most OF the canoes We're in very bad
condition, but finally cane across one
that seemed seaworthy. Our good for
tune mended our spirits, and as we sped
onward we laughed and joked and broke
into rollicking songs.
We had made a mile or so when,
shooting round a sharp elbow Of the
river, we We're thunderstruck to find
ourselves abreast Of a large Indian camp
pitched on the bank. The narrowing of
the stream at this point brought us with
In 20 yards of our foes.
Uttering a howl of rage, they made a
wild rush for the waters edge, threw
themselves into their canoes and came
after us in full pursuit. And foremost
among them we recognized the tall form
of Wah-kia-na.
With a swift wave of our paddles we
turned the nose Of our antique craft to-
ward the bank, reaching which, we
leaped shore. l seized the gun, and in
two seconds we We're tearing through
the thick brushwood toward the forest
beyond.
That afternoon and evening I tramped
many miles. AT nightfall, being utterly
tagged out, l threw myself upon the
turf beside q small stream and was soon
sound asleep.
l awoke a little after dawn, cold and
stiff and desperately hungry. 1 was
about to move along when l was startled
to hear 4 cracking among the brush
wood. I set my teeth and brought my
rife to my shoulder, ready to fire as soon
as the thing should break cover.
Presently who should stagger into
view hut Jed, the poor fellow ready to
drop with fatigue and hunger. We
started Oft, but Don Jed, who was car
rylng the gun, while c%lambering over
the rocks made a misstep and fell. The
weapon flew from his hand, and the
trigger striking hard against a stump,
a loud report followed among the sur
rounding hills.
But that was not the worst. Jed's
ankle received a very bad twist in his
fall, and for some minutes the poor fell
low was agonized with pain.
Now we noticed a column of smoke
rising nearly opposite our position from
the other bank of the river.
"a signal!' cried Jed. "They must
have heard the report. What a clumsy
idiot I was!'
And see," said I, there's an an
swering signal to the right and another
to the left. But we've got a good start
Of them, and before they strike our trail
we must be miles away"
ALI that afternoon we toiled onward
over our rugged course. Meantime, how
ever, Jed's wounded ankle grew worse,
until at sunset it was swollen to twice
its natural size, and he could proceed no
farther.
Twilight slowly darkened into night.
The moo rose and cast her fading light
upon the scene. A more welcome light, |
I think, I shall never behold.
Presently signal fires ON the hills near
by told us that the rest of our enemies
were close at hand. Again I looked to
the printing Of my gun and otherwise
prepared for action.
For fully 20 minutes we heard moth
ing of our foes, though we knew we'll
the cowardly fellows were debating how
best to reach us. Then, from their am
bush in the wild oats, we heard voices,
as though they were encouraging each
other to charge, and we realized that
the crisis was at hand.
Suddenly I was startled by an ex-
clamation from Jed.
"It's all up, Joer' he cried. "No use
firing. The villains have got us in the
rear"
Hist, boys, hist! whispered a voice
from the bow of the noe.
GOOD heavens, it's Wattie!"
AYE, boys, and just in the nick of
time. Catch hold of this hyar line and
haul III in right smart"
This was done, and all SO quietly and
quickly that the Indians knew nothing
of our re-enforcements. A minute later
they broke cover, rushed into the open,
and with a blood curdling yell charged
pellmell down upon us.
"Fire!' shouted Waite in a voice
that rang loud above the uproar, and
instantly five spouts of fame flashed in
the faces Of our foes.
Surprised, thunderstruck, utterly dis
comtited, the advancing body reeled
back from the volley they had o little
expected.
After 'em, boys!' yelled Waite,
leaping up over the bank and giving
chase. We sent them flying in all direc-
lions, each Indian intent only on secur-
ing his personal safety.
Then, returning to the bank, we
sought our two fallen foes. The first we
came up to was lying face downward, !
having pitched forward as a bullet found
his heart. Turning him over, we found
he was none other than the villainous
Wah-kia-na-George II. Westley in
Boston Globe. =