The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-12-30
Am
Indians
Hate. .

Jed Wilson and ! were neither OF US
much over twenty when, in the reckless
spirit of adventure, we joined company
Of three score hardy fellows who were on
the point OF starting off up the Umpqua
river.
After many days OF the most difficult
travel we came at length in sight OF an
Indian village, and, approaching this vii
lage to within quarter of a mile, we
pitched our permanent camp.
We had not been there many minutes
before our redskin neighbors became aware
OF our presence, and Immediately they
swarmed down upon us, displaying the most
hostile intentions The sight of onr wea-
pons cowed Them and they saw it would
be best to leave us alone.
The chief Of the tribe was one Wah- kia- ma
tall, muscular Indian Of perhaps 40. AS
he days went by Wah- kama became a
'requent visitor. His favorite lounging
place was the log cabin in which Jed and
did the cooking.
One morning Jed discovered Wah- kia- ma
in the act OF iabbing long, sharp pointed
piece OF iron he invariably carried in his
belt into the soup kettle, hoping, no doubt,
to fish out a nice hot chunk of beef. This
was more than my companion could stand.
Knocking the iron out OF the redskins
hand with quick blow, Jed grabbed the
fellow by the scruff and the slack and
rushed him out of the cabin, quitting him
with push that sent him sprawling upon
the ground.
After that Wah-kia ma came to the cook
house no more, aud in month or so the
incident had dropped completely from our
minds But not from the Indians In
his heart he nurtured vengeance.
One day we learned that there emptied
into the umpqua certain stream, the ex-
ploration of which promised considerable
sport. The tributary was known as
Smiths river, after an unfortunate trapper
who had been killed by the Indians many
years before,
When we had arranged our plans, we
made them known to Waite Linn, sturdy
old back woodsman who had taken quite a
fancy to us youngsters and had more than
once proved himself true friend.
''Don't ye 20, boys" said Waite.
"Why not - asked Jed. eve can
manage the canoe all right"
"Tain't that"
"What is it, then? Are you afraid Of
the Indians cutting us eff"
"Wa.al, yes; that's about it," replied
Waite
Just as we were pushing off along came
Waite
$50 yer bound to 90, boys he said half
reproachfully. "Wa-al good luck to ye.
But look hyar, want ye to promise me a
something. Guess it'll take ye three days
to get up to Smiths thar being freshet
in the river, but day ought to fetch ye
back slick as grease. "Now, give me yer
word, boys to be back hyar by five day at
the latest-that is, if ye kin"
We promised the old fellow and dipped
our paddles impatient to be off.
Good lads, and now look hyar. If so
be as you meet trouble and hev to quit the
canoe and tramp home make tracks down
the right bank of the river-the right
bank, do you hear? ?"
Nothing particular happened until the
afternoon Of the third day. We were rip
ping along very quietly when suddenly
Jed reached over the side of the canoe and
fshed something out Of the water. 1t
proved to be small, closely woven Indian
basket.
''That's bad, jed" l exclaimed. Sure
as guns there's redskins ahead of u.s."
"We'd have met the beggars if they had
come down stream; so they must have gone
up" said /. whats to be done, JEDI"
Ozone Go ahead and trust in Provi-
dence," replied Jed. "They may he
friendly Or they may not Anyhow, we've
got our rifles"
"What's that yonder?" cried jed point
ing to hill distance ahead. It's soping
side was dotted with what looked to be
huts. We rested on our paddles and gazed
upon the scene with silent anxiety.
We found the cause OF our wonder to be
an old Indian burying ground. The hut
like risings were simply hillocks Of earth,
each OF which marched the resting place OF
warrior.
Padding mile Or two farther along, we
camped for the night.
AS soon as it was light enough we started
to mount to the top of what we meant to
be our long toboggan slide back to Umpqua
1t was the first rapid we had encountered
After trying it several ways without sue
cess we had to resort to the towing line.
We dragged our little craft up through
the boiling current yard by yard. 1t may