Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-02-07
An Old-Time Adventure
By Fred Myron Colby.

on the Connecticut, to look for two
horses that had strayed into the
woods.
The missing animals were a gray
horse and black mare, respectively
The mare had her young colt with her
They both belonged to Williams ia.
ther, and the settler had promised the
boy that il he would find the horses,
and bring them safely home, he would
give him the colt for his labor.
The lads started off about six
o'clock in the morning, taking their
way down the river. William had his
fathers gun; but Charley, who was
younger, had not been allowed to take
one. Guns and ammunition were toe
scarce at the fort to be intrusted to q
boy II years old.
1t was really dangerous to go out un'
armed great distance from the
block-house, for wildcats and wolves
were numerous in that region, and oc
casionnlly bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little OF the peril
but it was not without msgivings that
their mothers had seen them depart
Charley was the happy possessor Of
a jack-knife, and he busted himself In
makingabowand arrows as he trudged
along. The bow he fashioned from an
ash limb, and the arrows We're OF oak
headed with sharp tacks that the boy
happened to have in his pocket. The
bowstring was of stout twine. When
completed, it was hardly equal to an
English long-bow. nor was Charley q
Robin Hood; but il was nevertheless
quite dangerous weapon in his hands
He amused himself shooting at squir-
rels and birds, and was in high spirits
when he hit one.
The only traces Of the animals they
were hunting after that they had yet
seen were their tracks, which they
ever and anon came across in the
"opens" or imbedded in the banks Of
the streams.
They listened and listened for the
friendly clinking OF the bells, but could
not hear them. Yet they felt assured
that they were on the right course.
They had proceeded about three
miles when Williams quick ear caught
the familiar ling-n-linR OF bell. But
it was a great ways of, and seemed &c
be growing more indistinct.
ITS in the next 'open,'" said VII
liam. That is Sukeys. They can't
be far of. Good luckl Now III
have my colt and no trouble"
The boys We're then in the thick
forest. The last "open" was half O
mile behind them; the next might be
as far in front of them. They hast,
ened forward eagerly, following the
sound OF the bell that came tinkling
at intervals through the woods.
They came to the "open," u square
like area OF nearly four acres, lying
low and level on the banks OF the
Connecticut. All at once the bells
ceased tinkling.
THAT is singular. Perhaps they
have gone down to the river to drink,
remarked William, looking in that di
rection
"Oh, no, there's the horses over BY
that clump Of blrchesl" cried Charley
Cant you see the old gray's side?"
That's strange. anyhow" declared
William. "The last time heard the
bell, | could swear it was ON the other
side OF the 'open.'"
The bell commenced tinkling again
1t most assuredly was on the opposite
side, near the stream.
"sukey and her colt must be over
there" said Charley, but it's strange
as you say, that they shouldn't be to
gether."
"Well, you go that way and I will
go this. II we can catch them we car
ride home, / do hope the colt is not
lost or hurt"
William started In the direction to.
ward the river, and Of course Charley
walked Oft in a course just opposite,
When the latter was about halfway
across the clearing. he turned around
TO look at William. To his surprise
his companion was not 10 be seen.
While he was gazing in tnat direc.
tion, he saw two Indians rise uT
from behind a clump OF alders and
look toward the river. At that in.
stant William reappeared around a
bend OF the stream, where he had
been hidden from the sight OF his
friend.
As soon as William saw the savages
he turned 10 run. One OF the Indians
at this fired after the fleeing boy and
shot him through the wrist.
The shot whirled him violently
round. The savages then seized him
and binding him with deerskin
thong, carried him TO their canoe
which was in the river not far distant
Meanwhile, Charley, seeing the
plight Of his companion, was moving
slowly away from the dangerous
neighborhood. He hoped the Indians
had not seen him. Alone and without
any suitable weapon, he knew that he
AbhAA w hihlhE Abfalih IfhtulHH
poor William. His plan was TO return
10 the settlement as quickly as pos
sible, inform his father of the circum.
stance, and have party start at once
TO the rescue.
In order 10 reach s->Te at the short.
est notice, he had made up his mind
TO catch the gray horse. lie could
see the animal still standing hall
within the grove Of poplars, and had
no suspicion that anything was
wrong.
Directing his steps toward the pop
lars, Charley crept up near and near
er, looking warily around for fear OF
Indians.
He walked up 70 within nye feet OF
the clump OF poplars, and was on the
point Of placing his hand on the gray
The Latest Yarn.
A Dfftah 1,ftfprna. tatI. Il