Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-03-14

The sand dunes reached, across the
river. both riders dismounted for the
first time after a ride OF twelve hours.
Both stretched themselves on the
sand, soon becoming half buried--as
these hilloeks move about with almost
an imperceptible whirl, but yet to a
sound as rhythmical as the tabled
singing sands of mythology.
Remonntiug, the journey was contin-
ued, the moon at full, shining almost
ominously.
The moon, dead. silent, looking down
upon the wide, open. far-stretched
prairie and upon the two travellers,
dreading and In fear. afraid to talk or
whisper to one another there's moth
ing like the moon under such circum-
stances 10 make a man shiver
Winding In and out among the sand
hinocks, the horses We're put To their
best along this fetlock-deep road until
sand creek was reached. A dry creek,
wateriess ut all Seasons of the year,
sand creek Is fringed ON either bank
by scraggy growth of trees.
As the two moonlight providers cross
ed the creek. and got into the timber
on the west bank
Two million dogs began barking at
them!
There was no mistake about 1t. they
We're dogs, not coyotes. disturbed at a
feast over the carcass of buffalo.
Both felt, at once, that they had
strayed into an Indian camp.
And they had.
Soon human voices, mixed with
those of the dogs, and lights could be
seen mot filtting to and fro, as in a
soldiers camp. but set to glowing
from score of camp fires. Right well
defined in the moonlight. too. appear
ed the silhouetted group Of Indians
not this time elk antlers'-and they
gave 1.-THE view halioos as they took
a snap shot OF the paleface trespas-
sers.
Prairie Dog Dave and campadre
wheeled about their horses and took
10 the sand Mills as never did the
Israelltes to the sand fiat on the bor-
derS of the Red sea. as related Of old.
Two men fled on trayel-tired horses
before double score Of savages well
mounted on fresh ponies. Is 1t any
wonder il the Canadian was looked
upon as the River Styx. and that the
moonlight WIS regarded as an Internal
illumination that guided and directed
the Indians on their course2
And To add To the "desendus In
ayerno, Gen. Miles black horse be-
gan oyer-reaching as he was speeded
through the sands, and shoe hitting
shoe. there began "a click-clack"
which helped the Indians In their pnr-
suit when even the moon lent the
shadows OF the dunes to hide the flu
eitiyeS from the UurSuerS
But the Indians gave over, but not
before the lieutenant. chafed and tired
ont, had pleaded with Prairie Dog"
Dave half dozen times 10 make a
stand. die"
Keep up, lieutenant" was the
scouts adjuration. never once beliey-
ing life was failure, though death
so near impended.
The pursuit abandoned. after ten
miles of yelling on the part of the In
dams and a discretionary silence on
the part OF the white riders the mesa
Tor divideD ON the left or north side Of
the Canadian was reached, and Adobe
Walls became again the objective
point Of the expedition.
AS morning came on. away on the
south side OF the Canadian, the lights
Of half hundred camp fires We're dis
cerned, and the unweleOme and hor.
rible thought obtruded: THE country
Is full of Iudians!'
Fearful OF discovery, scout and COM
rade sought culde-sac among the
breaks, and there. waiting until full
daylight. squirt was taken through
THE glasses" at the camp.
"Fhe blue of troops" was seen, and
..old glory in miniature rs cavalry
guidon A rub Of the glasses to dispel
possible achromatism and a bee line
was made for the camp.
1t was Col. Buelrs command of the
Ninth United States cavalry.
After hearty reception, generous
breakfast, during which the advent
ures OF the night were told and the
proximity of the Inlians reported,
.'Prairie Dog" Dave aud comrade left.
departed for Adobe Walls. Col. Buell.
put his command at the same time
after the Indians who had so murder
ously pursued his visitors the night
before.