The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-11

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I dirty blanket. and the other the remains
| OF what was once q coat Their trousers
| were tattered. exposing their bare brown
| knees, and their feet were encased in ILL.,
| fitting moccasns
''They belong to the same outfit I saw
| a while ago." said Tom. aren't they sare
| specimens? Think what gold mine they
| would be back East for exhibition pur.
| poses.'
'rll bet they are hungry" said George.
| noticing that they had ceased their inter-
| ested observation OF Toms struggling
| beard and were wistfully regarding soma
biscuit and beans In the corner. do you
want anything to eat?' addressing HIM
| self to the boys. A grin overspread their
faces and one, who appeared to be spokes-
man. replied with great effort and intens-
| ity, ''Ungree."
''of course. did you ever see an Indian
who wasn't?" was Toms remark. "How-
| ever, as an experiment, try him on one Of
| those sinkers."
biscuit was handed each. and as RAJ
| pidy devoured.
''He has my profound respect. Now
| give him a brick" This from Tom.
Suppose We give them Christmas din
ner?" suggested George.
Il guess they would come" was the dry
| rejo.nder
George proceeded to explain by words
| and signs that when dinner vas prepared
! they would be fed.
"Ungree.' was their reply.
They were given another biscuit each,
| but without waiting to eat 1t, they arose
| and left the tent, disappearing on a brisk
| run down the trail toward the Indian en-
| campment.
II guess We are going to lose our COM
| pany. after ALL cried George, as they
| passed from sight
Not so easy" was Toms sentiments,
never yet saw an Indian quit the game
when there was anything to eat In 1t. They
| have probably gone to put the family next
| to good thing
While George continued dinner prepara-
tons. Tom went to cut dead tree near
by for firewood. He had not been gone
| long before he returned. and grasping his
friend by the coat sleeve, said solemnly
Come herep He led him to the door and
| silently pointed down the trail,
George gasped.
The two boys were returning. and with
them coming on at swinging walk were
three Indians and two more boys.
They composed a startling group. Their
clothes were in more or less dilapidated
condition. Regardless OF the season Of
the year one wore an old straw hat on
which the brim had entirely gone An
other had cap made from the fur OF some
animal, and the other wore neither hat
nor cap. but simply red handkerchief
folded and tied around his head. but so far
from combining his hair, II disordered It
still more. above and below. All wore
mooSehide moccasina, some artistfcaIIy
beaded with fancy designs. in very appar-
ent contrast 20 the rest OF their apparel.
Around a pair of ill-fitting tweed trousers,
each wore a belt plentifully stocked with
cartridges and supporting an enormous
hunting knife and sheath. None wore the
Characteristic dress OF the wild Indian al
| pictured In romance. Their desire appear
ed to be TO initiate the custom Of white
men. but their shortcomings and peculiar
combinations. presented a most laughable
appearance
As they came quickly up the path the
leader slashing the small bushes on tho
side as he came. they presented an ap-
pearanee so fierce that George was led 10
something To eat"
TN afraid it's something to eat" said
Tom, who knew something OF an Indians
appetite. You see there are seven OF them
and every one OF them hungry. It's a
good thing We have plenty or hammock
cooked. and whole potful of beans"
They were friendly enough. however. and
one, who knew some English, greeted
them with a pleasant, Good day." as
they came up. and the others nodded and
grinned their salufation They quickly
accepted an invitation to step inside the
| tent and at once made themselves COM
Portable. with an Indians ease, on boxes.
sacks, blankets or anything affording a
seat
We've got to resort to bacon" was
Toms remark, and he began TO cut huge
| slices. Better explain TO the guests
| George. that the grocery man didn't call
today. and We are little shy On silver
ware
An Indian. however, Is unused TO such
| iuxurlss as tables. chairs and extra dishes
| They balance their plate on their knee or
| place 1t on the ground before them. Those
| who had not a plate found a kettle Id
| Just as serviceable. Those lacking a eun
drank just as much tea from q condensed
| milk can. and whether they Were supplied
| with forks or not. usually made their I'm
| gers answer the purpose. They accent
| what you give them. and ask no more
| but eat all You give them. When the ban
| mock was Passed they helped themselves
| literally. they took more bacon as often
| as IL was passed, when that was done
| they ate all the apples. then all the rice,
| drank all the tea. finished the hammock
| and when there Was nothing more TO Of
| Ter them stopped.
| During ali this time they answered a
| great many questions. They had come
| down frcrn the mountains TO trade for
/ some goods the game was scarce: he
/ had killed no grizzly bears: yes. a 4i-cali-
| Der rife would xiii one IL you hit him In
| the right place. 10, he didn't know where
1 there was gold: there was q frai 70 the
| next river. but a white man couldn't fol-
| low IL. he had never been to the coast,
/ and q great deal more snch Information
/ WIS elscstcd by George. wnfse Ton. learned
/ that mountains In their talk was s-ts4ass !;
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