The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-07-19

haps learn something about the
peculiar markings.
The whisky had some effect, but a
sight of the arrow head had more.
The Indian led the farmer away from
his two boys and offered that if he
would give him the arrow mead he
would show him where he could
find some hidden gold, and great
deal Of it.
He told him that his tribe formerly
roamed over the country of which
Benton county is now a part, and
that it was a legend Of the tribe that
long years ago, iu the time Of his
grandfathers many years back, three
white men, the first that the tribe
had ever seen, had come among them,
bringing much OF the yellow metal.
They had been members Of an ex-
plorlng party which had come in the
country-it is presumed they we're
members Of DeSoto's expedition which
touched In Southern Missouri. The
three had done some crime and had
then stolen the gold and escaped
from the party to make their home
among the indians until they could
find their way back. The had wan
dered until they reached the Indians
on the Usage, who received them
very kindly and let them live among
them But the pale-faces stirred up
strife and proved themselves unworthy
OF the hospitality bestowed upon
them. The result was that the
indians decided that the gold was the
distpksng element, and decided tC
kill the three men This they did
and carried their bodies to a secret
recess of the ''Robbers' Cave, where
they left the gold piled beside them.
The farmer was perfectly willing to
part with the arrow head IL he could
exchange it for gold, and the Indian
lead the way to the Robbers Cave .
A boat was always kept near the
bluff, for fishing is excellent at the
mouth of the Cole Camp, aud 1t was
used for that purpose. With the
Indian be climbed into the boat and
rowed around to The cave, then both
climbed up the slippery rocks to the
interior.
The Indian went back short dis
tance, rolled away a stone which
seemed part of the wall, and show
ed an opening into which he bade bis
companion to enter. The white mar
was cautious and motioned the
Indian 10 first, then followed. The
interior was dimly lighted, but he
saw that it was small. He gazed
around the chamber and his eyes
soon became accustomed to the semi'
darkness. Then he beheld a sight
that chilled him. Three skeletons
were lyiog 90 the floor of the chamber
beside pile of gold coins.
Inyoluntarily he gave cry anC
the savage unsheathed knife and
started toward him. he had evident
ly enticed the farmer to the cave
with the intention OF killing him anC
taking the arrow head.
The farmer was unarmed, and
being thus defenseless he started
toward the opening. He escaped
before the Indian could reach hin
and swung down the rocks. The
Indian waited long enough to close
the opening and followed, but the
fleeing man had pushed the boat
away and was rowing for the bank
The Indian slipped into the water
aud swan after him
The former gained the shore and
taking an oar from the rowlocg
waited for the redman to land
He thought that the savage
would certainly not continue his
attack, but The Iudlan had no inten
tion Of giving up He scrambled VI
the bank and again charged on The
white man, who waited until he come
close aud tteh gave him smashipG
blow an the head which felled him
The Indian never segaiped conscious
sness and was buried near the cliG
where his grave can DOW be seen.
The farmer had noticed on th'