Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1900-11-15

tion. the frlghlful peril OF their sit
uation. were lost sight OF in the alb
sorbing desire for revenge which
burned in every man OF them as they
gazed upon the stricken. stiffening
heap of animals All were for giving
chase Immediately They believed they
could easily overiake the Sioux among
the drifts of the lower lands, where
creeks and snow.filled ravines must
cause him to shift his course contin-
ually.
Boys" said Gordon, when some OF
them had hastily begun to strip for
the chase. boys. this is my particu-
lar affair. You make camp and fix II
for fghtin'. III either get that Sioux.
or he'll fetch his tribe back an get
u.s."
Cy Gordon was their captain. He
had been hay and wood contractor
for many years in the Sioux country.
and his word was law to this little
band.
There was no need TO argue that no
man could have even guessed at the
daring and disaster they had LOOKED
upon. The performance bad been
too appallingly simple and easy. II
had come as unexpectedly as the flood
OF a cloudburst or the bursting OF
gun.
While his men stood vengefully
watching the flying Sioux. Gordon
stripped himself OF superAuous wrap
pings, stocked his pockets with frozen
bread and cartridges, slipped on pair
OF snowshoes kept for emergency.
frightened his belt, and launched him
self in pursuit.
Horse and rider were again no more
than n speck upon the vast snow
field. Gordon. with an express" rifle
under his arm. took the long, swing
ing stride OF the accomplished snow
shoer. In an hour the speck upon the
snow had not grown smaller.
At high noon, by the sun, upon
broad fiat where tall grass held the
snow, Gordon came almost within bull
let range OF the Sioux. An hour later.
"h'hB h"HBN " 'ihbeN Ia'ihSS'
there was an exchange OF shots, and
the sioux's pony dropped in its tracks,
The Indian lodged out OF sight. and
Gordon pushed wariy on with a grin
OF hate under his icicles.
He took up the Sioux tracks, and
noted with satisfaction that the In
dams mocensined feet punched
through the light crust at every other
step. In just little while!
But he followed for an hour or more
among seemingly interninable tan
gle OF gullies without catching n
glimpse OF the wary dodger. Then he
emerged into wider valley, to find
That the artful rascal had escaped out
OF range and oni ohslght upon wind
swept stretch OF river Ice.
Gordon ground his teeth and swept
over the smooth surfnce, sweating.
despite the sharp cold, from fierce es-
ertion. AT turn Of the river he saw
the Sioux but there were others, more
Than n score OF them' mounted and np-
proaching the runner. The mule-kill-
er's camp or town was close at hand.
Exhausted from his long run, Cor
don, IN his own language, threw up
fhe sponge lie hastily sought the
cover OF river drlfts ana scooped HIM
sell KIND OF rifle pit Then, with n
pile OF cartridges between his knees
ana siapping his hands to Keep his
hngers ready Tor action he waited,
meaning to do what execution he could
before the end.
There was considerable parley among
the Sioux, ana then only single In
ulan advanced toward the whlte man.
This one came ON afoot within gun
shot' then stopped ana shook IN. blan-
ket, In token that he wanted to ap-
proach ana talk
uordon laughed. The situation
seemed to him grimly humorous. lie
motioned to the Indian to come on and
Kept him well covered with his rifle,
moment later, however, he lowered
his gun
Whatever fate awaited Gordon, he
knew that he stood In no danger OF a
treacherous stroke from the approach
ing Sioux. II was the chief, Red Cloud.
Gordon arose, and the chief came
forward with hand outstretohcd.
MY young man has killed your mules" ,"
was Red Clouds greeting In the Sioux
tongue,
Gordon understood. "Yes," he said,
"ond will not take your hand until
you have done right"
The grave old chief drew his blanket
about his shoulders with shrug,
I soldiers Ind npDTOuplpl n marty Of m 4