The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-13
COPYRIGHTED. 1898. sy JoHE ]. shEDEKkE.

cur assatsarts rapidly feA BACK OUT OF
range.
il seemed 90 us. looking from our corner.
though hundreds Of red men were in
the valley. They lined the stream that
crossed II, while scores poured down the
ravlnes and filed the plain.
"Confaand it, said Ned. as he capped
his reloaded rife, the whole country Is
reused; we can't stay here"
Wei" replied Pete. binding a cloth
round HIS neck over a nasty-Iooking cut
from an arrow IF We do stay, IL viii be
as dead msn. Where the canon behind us
leads to don't know. but II Is the only
chance vs. have. Ned. you keep an eye
on the redskins until we get a few things
together"
While pete filed poor Van Burg's
powder Task and hung It round his own
neck, sought cur old comrades last rest
ing place, and began To close il IN.
Suddenly Ned shouted. Hurry up, boys,
they are getting ready for the attack
Throwing the tools amongst the brush
snatchea up = bundle Of ferked vensson
sdrsed meat ana ran for the canon. My
partners were just before me and we kept
up "a fairly good speed for a mile or so.
Then, tired with my exertion Of the morn
ing Jagged 80 far behind that We decided
10 go on at a more leisureiy pace.
The bluffs on either hand increased in
becoming narrower. The deep shadows
and crimson tinted plnnacies proved TO
our asfanishment the day was almost
done the intense excitement Of recent
events had made us forget the fight Of
time
The stream now almost filled the place
from side 10 side. In some Instances II
Rugged the cliff we were following so
closely there WAS nothing for il but to
n hp
further We Travelled the less likely seemed
our chances OF climbing the rocky walls,
rising often into precfnices From he sinu-
Gus course we were following II was al
most Impossible to tell whether we had
put any great distance between ourselves
and Mount Hope. If we had not. it was
more than likely the Indians would take
short cut and intercept Us
Wet and tired we stil pushed on. Ned
and were feeling discouraged az WEI we
might under the circumstances Pete,
however tried TO cheer us MP, though from
the repeated drenchings with water he
gave his neck II was evident the arrow
wound was giving him trouble.
Being in the lead. a sudden bend hid
him from sight. ] was next. and on
rounding a huge boulder almost ran
against him. He was standing leaning on
his rife. and looking across large sheet
OF water resembling an oblong reservoir
that was filling the canon. Further adj
vance seemed Impossible. The elearness
OF the water showed its depth, and as Ned
came M. Pete said shortly, My time his
come; can't swim. You fellows strip on
tie your things on your heads. and take 10
the water; il Is more than nifty yards 10
the end. I can hold the Indians for a
while, anyway"
"Whatr' exclaimed Ned Indignantly:
"do you think We would leave you TO be
butchered? What do YOU take us for?"
COMPOUNDED fools II you stop here"
replied the brave fellow with perfect cool
ness.
A lock came into Ned's face I knew
meant a row. so I said earnestly: For
Gods sake. don't quarrel at such a time
as this, II viii soon be dark: let us go
back piece to a more favofabIs place for
defense: we may stave them off vet. There
are no signs Of Indians yet; they may have
given up the job as too tough for them
As I spoke OF the coming night, my eyes
had been following the course of q ledge
which was some twenty feet above our
heads II extended the whole length Of
the tank. its farther end sloping down TO
q mass Of logs and branches, forming the
dam that backed up the water. ] stepped
20 the corner we had just rounded 70 soc IL
there was any way 90 gain a footing on
the ledge. and my comrades grasping az
once what was thinking about followed
me As far as 7 could see my project
seemed hopeless. but Pete. who had ex-
tremely good eyeslght. shouted cheerily.
"Hurrah, boys; we are not done yet. We
can get up there, or ! am a liar!"
He led the way with rapid strides to n
place where wild grape vines hung like
great curtain from top to bottom Of the
elir. In the fasf-fading light / could see
ragged points Of rock had forced their
way through the green foliage. promising a
footing when aided by the fast clnging
vines Ned. leaving his rifle behind, es-
sayed the FIRST attempt. When high
enough 20 reach the ledge above he found
= secure place 20 stand Pete then climbed
20 within a few feet Of him. while I fol-
lowing In the same way. passed our rifles
ore after another and they were carefully
laid on the ledge.
Now. then. up with you"' said Pete.
Ned placing one hand on a rocky pro-
lection, grasped a good sized tendrl. ana
made a scrambing attempt 20 ascend. At
first I could not make out what had taken
place On hearing smothered oath
looked an. Only Ned's head and shoulders
were visible in the darkness: his hand had
slipped from the ledge. and with both he
was grasping the vine. With hlc feet he
was striving 20 get A hold on the further
side OF a hollow Immediately under the
ny clouds II dust and Grit falling from
above With a loud tearing noise the
vine began 90 give way. l. came down
slowly enough for me 50 jump 70 the
ground and run backwards
WlpiUg the dust from my eyes could
iust distinguish a great mass OF tangled
vines az the base Of the clif from which
came the sounds or crashing and tearing.
and also Some very bad language. which
Indicated my partners were rot badly hurt.
Presently. on hands and knees they
ernevssd Pete SETTLING vigorously Safa
angvily "confound H. Ned yoa kicked
me IN the the mouth"
Ned ~ mr. was rove the w~rse wltA the
exception q torn clothing An1 scratched
facel burst Into "a roar ~ laughter that
a'sd away i'm nock!ug echoes amongst the
Gins
Yes. laugh" cried Pete and bring
down the Indians when oar rifles are half
way up 1hs bluff
Ills words Sohsred Ned in moment 7
was zoo anxious and tired 20 3oin IN the
merripent especially Wher Pete cor
tiuued chat miserable wound q mine has
started bleeding again
Striking matches one hv cne FOR Nght 7
tSnaagyd up his neck while our comrade