The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1899-06-07

woodhawk, Arnold, whose leg had been
broken by the volley. In second
or two more they would have been
upon the unfortunate man, but before
they realized what was mp Briny
dropped two of them, and the third
ran off into the brush east of the cabin.
Briny then ran down the path toward
the river and saw the other Indians
gathered about poor Hines, whom they
were proceeding to scalp and dismem-
! ber. Two of them fell ut his first
| shot, and the rest ran across the ice
toward the other shore, but only one
of them reached IL, for Mt the fourth
shot Briny managed to hit the other,
aud he tumblcd over with a wailing
yell. Not knowing how many more
Indians might be concealed in the
brush or in the vicinity, Briny went
quickly back to where Arnold was ly-
ing and packed him into the cabin.
| He knew Hines was dead and that
there was no use in risking shot
from the Indians by going after his
body then. Closing the door and fas-
tening it securely, he got Arnold into
bunk, stanched the flow of blood
from his wound and temporarily ban
daged the broken limb. He next pro-
ceeded to knock the mud chinking
out on the three sides of the cabin
where there was no door or window
and from the small openings there
made watched carefully for any signs
of the enemy. Hours past, and no
/ 70 tn
to be heard. Arnold, in great pain
and grieving over the death of his
partner, spoke not word and merely
shook his head when Briny asked
him every few minutes if he could do
anything for him.
1t was about noon when they heard
in the direction of the river faint
wailing, quavering chant which grad
ually increased in volume and then
died away.
whats that, do you s'pose?"
Briny asked.
sIt's one o. them fellers Won shot
out on the ice singin' his death song"
replied Arnold, who was better versed
in Indian ways.
Then his pardners must a lit out
and left him, said Briny. "Anyhow,
| can't stand this any longer. I've
got to go ont and see if the rest really
are gone"
Eyes, CO." Arnold urged, "and put
ball through that critter so't he won't
yovl any more. But first give me my
gun, so can feel little safe while
you're gone"
Briny slid out Of the door and made
n short detour to where he could plain
ly see the first two Indians be
dropped. Both were lying on their
backs, arms outstretched, having died
without struggle. He went down
the path to the river. The two he
shot at the water hole were lying Just
where they fell, one of them partly
resting on Hines body. The one
wounded when part way across the
river had managed to drag himself, gun
and oil, to the other shore, but hadn't
sufficient strength to climb the steep
bank into the brush. There he was
on his hands aud knees, his body
swaying and head dropping, again
chanting that weird death song, but in
fainting, weaker tones. At the crack
of Brings rife he pitched forward
with a lurch, aud all was over.
Having made tour of the big tim.
bered bottom and found the trails oil
the two survivors who had left it al
different points and at good speed
, Judging by the long distance between
/ their footprints, Briny returned tc
the house and reported to Arnold, who
, had become very uneasy after hearing
the shot fired. The horses were safe
he found, and that was something tc
I be thankful for.
"Briny," said Arnold. after the,
; had made pretence of eating som,
l dinner, "we've got to light out o
D here, In few days the whole AS
siniboin camp will be here for re
Z venge."
n know it. I'll dig nice, dee]
| grave somewhar this afternoon aut
. bury jim as good as I kin, and to
r morrer we'll strike for the fort"
5 A few days later they drove iuto tn
little trading post, Arnold having hat
' q soft and easy bed on top OF the loa,
: OF furs. Briny hadn't much to say
I but Arnold lost no time in telling al
a that had happened, and then the boy
/ learned their mistake and couldn't d.
D enough for the man they had befor
y treated rndely.
0 The buffaloes, hemmed in on al
Y sides, were practically exterminated il
Q 1884, aud with them went the day
x of prosperity for most OF the white in
habitants of the country and for al
$ the Indians, who were brought sud
k denly face to face with starvation an
n want. Merchants failed, and most @
!, the small traders and the hunters lei
y the country. Steamers no longe
,. brought goods up the 5000 miles c
n swift river from st. Louis to retur
d loaded to the guards with bales c
d furs aud roles. Railways were enter
}. ing the country, aud civilization wa
g close at hand. The few whites VIII