The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-10-09

ground while performing our work and
were not doing much loud talking. Just
as I touched a match to the wood I had
arranged for a fire, Higgins, who had
just lifted pack from one of the bur-
ro's, stepped quickly over to the pile
of guns and picked up the one belong
ing to him, remarking in a low tone as
he did so that band of Indians were
crossing the valley not more than 100
yards farther along. He had seen the
Indians first and they had not seen him.
We all grabbed our guns, our timid 81
wash partner included. His face paled
for moment, but he soon recovered his
self-control and appeared as cool as
any of US. The Indians, thirteen in
number. with about twenty head of
horses they had stolen in various places
continued their course across the valley,
which was not more than two hundred
yards wide, totally obliviouS of our
presence. but on reaching the opposite
bank one of them turned and saw us.
Instantly the entire thirteen dismounted,
turned the horses over to one of their
number and began shooting at US. We
returned the fire without further cere-
mony and our timid companion was
right in line, pumping bullets into
the ranks of the red devils as
fast and accurate as any Of us.
We thought we were in for it, but every
prospector who has had experience in
Indian countries always has his mind
made up to fight as long as there is any
fight in him. provided he gets an op-
portunity to do so. On that occasion we
were not taken wholly by surprise, as
We saw the Indians first and thought
they might possibly fail to discover us.
Had we stampeded it would have been
bad for US, for ApaShesS 60 not IKE 80
see man run; neither do they care to
take too many chances when confronted
by men whom they believe will fight
them. While the battle was on full blast
a company of colored soldiers that had
been trailing the Indians came down
over the hill from the north side, and
opened fire on the band. This unex-
pected attack caused the Indians to
drop us and pay their respects to the
soldiers. AS We were prOspectOrs, not
professional Indian fighters, we turned
the job over to the soldiers and let them
fight it out. The twelve Indians made
it exceedingly hot for the blue coats for
a while. but finally made their way up
the hill in the direction they were
headed, mounted their horses, which one
Of their number had taken to the top
just before the ball opened. and rode
south as rapidly as possible with the
soldiers in pursuit. What became of
them do not know, but I do know that
no one was killed or hurt in the gulch
fight, although some of the bullets from
the Indians guns struck close enough to
us to knock sand in our eyes. On. struck
the pack saddle of Higgins burro,
which had been removed and laid on the
ground about ten feet from the fire,
while another had clipped the ear of
my burro.
"Our 'Siwash BIZ was practically the
hero Of our end Of the fight. for after it
was over, he wanted to pursue the band
and give them some more for having
interrupted our supper preparations.
"After the Indians had disappeared we
hitched up and drove into the Mexican
town about a mile farther along, con-
sidering 1t a little easier to stand off the
Greasers than to battle with red skins,
| and on the following day proceeded to
the railroad. But we forgot to return
] to the range"