Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-06-08

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 up 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 at his first
shot, and the rest ran across the ice
toward the other shore, but only one
of them reached it, for at the fourth
shot Briny managed to hit the other,
and he tumbled over with 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 riskiug 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
one was to be seen, not a sound was
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.
What's that, do you s'pose?"
Briny asked
''It's one O them fellers you 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,
l can't stand this any longer. I've
got to go out and see if the rest really
are gone"
Eyes, CO." Arnold urged, "and put
a ball through that critter so'the won't
yoyl 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
short detour to where he could plain
ly see the first two Indians he
dropped. Both were lying on their
backs, arms outstretched, having died
without n struggle. He went down
the path to the river. The two he
shot at the water hole were lying inst
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 all, to the other shore, but hadn't
sufficient strength to climb the steep
bank into the brush. There he was
on his hands and knees, his body
swaying and head dropping, again
chanting that weird death song, but in
fainting, weaker tones. At the crack
OF Briny's rifle he pitched forward
with lurch, and all was over.
Having made tour of the big tim
bered bottom and found the trails of
the two survivors who had left it at
different points and at good speed,
Judging by the long distance between
their footprints, Briny returned to
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 to
be thankful for.
''Briny," said Arnold, after they
had made pretence of eating some
dinner, we've got to light out O.
here. In few days the whole AS
siniboin camp will be here for re-
venge."
II know it. TIL dig nice, deep
grave somewhar this afternoon and
bury Jim as good rs 1 kin, and to-
morrer we'll strike for the fort"
A few days later they drove into the
little trading post, Arnold having had
a soft and easy bed on top Of the load
OF furs. Briny hadn't much to say,
but Arnold lost no time in telling all
that had happened, and then the boys
learned their mistake and couldn't do
enough for the man they had before
treated rudely.
The bufaloes, hemmed in on all
sides, were practically exterminated in
1884, and with them went the days
of prosperity for most of the white in
habitants of the country and for all
the Indians, who were brought sud-
denly face to face with starvation and
want. Merchants failed, and most of
the small traders and the hunters left
the country. Steamers no longer
brought goods up tue 5000 miles of
swift river from st. Louis to return
loaded to the guards with bales OF
furs and robes. Railways were enter
ing the country, aud civilization was
close at hand. The few whites who