Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-02-17

yes"
"Well, never mind. Let's secure this
deer. He'll be done drinking soon, and
then we may lose him. Let me fire first,
this time, Louis"
very well. Blaze away, and I'll be
ready to follow, in case you don't bring
h'.'' down.
Accordingly, Goupart brought his rife
to his shoulkz, and in a moment more he
fired. ThS soble animal gave a leap
backward, = i while he stood for mo-
ment as though about to start on, Louis
fired, but even as he pulled the trigger
the deer gave leap forward and plung-
ed headlong upon the earth.
''Your ball killed him, Goupartv' cried
Louis, as the two started forward to-
gether. And it was found to be even so,
Goupart's bullet having entered just back
of the shoulder, and of course penetrated
the heart.
Louis had made a wound for the pur
pose of bleeding the animal, and Goupart
was kneeling by his side, when they were
startled by the whistling of something
between their heads, followed by a dull
chunk close to them, and on raising
their heads, they saw long arrow stick
ing into tree directly in front of them.
With a quick cry, they started to their
feet, and the next thing that saluted
them was a low howl close at hand
They turned and saw a party of six In
dians coming towards them, with their
tomahawks raised.
Here's a scrape," utteerd Goupart,
starting back. What. does it mean?"
I'll find out" returned Louis, calmly.
''But don't show your pistols, for they
know we've discharged our rifles, and
the hope to take us at a disadvantage"
Then turning to the red men, he asked:
'What now, red brethren? What seek
We here?"
The Indians consulted a moment to-
gether, and then one of them advanced
a single pace, and replied:
eve seek the young white chief and his
friend. We would speak with them kind
ly."
'"Then why did you send that arrow at
us?" =
1--WE saw you not then. Only the head
of the DEER
Now Louis simply knew that they were
lying to him, and as this became appar
ent he knew that they meant him harm.
IF you have anything to say to u.s. say
it at once" he said.
"Let our white brothers not fear If
they will come with us, we will tell them
what shall be to their good"
II will speak with my friend" And
thus saying, Louis turned towards his
companion.
"Goupart." he said, speaking quickly,
and in a low tone, 'those are Chicka-
saws, and they mean to take us prison
ers. In all probability they hope for
a high ransom from my father for u.s.
We have two pistols each. You never
missed your mark yet in my sight. Are
your nerves steady nowY"
AS steady as ever" returned Goupart,
not little surprised to see how calm
and fearless his youthful companion was.
Then have them in readiness, and
mind my word, for know those fellows
well. Yet keep your rife, FOR y5dsll need
it for club"
Next Louis turned to the Indians and
said:
"We have concluded not to follow you:
but if you have anything to tell us, we
will listen.''
Upon this, the red men conversed to-
gether again for a few moments, and
then, with quick, wild gestures, and
low howl, not unlike the voice of hun
cry wolf they sprang forward with their |
tomahawks up1ifted. In all probability |
they supposed this would be sufficient to |
awe the white youths into immediate sub |
mission. The pale boy they thought an |
easy prey, and very likely they knew that |
the other was newcomer into the coun- |
try, and hence imagined that their terri |
Die appearance and fearful antics would |
strike him with terror.
"Nowr' whispered Louis. "You take |
he two men on your side, and I'll take |
The two on the other side. Don't waste |
1 ball."
In an instant the two companions had |
1rawn their weapons, and at the same |
instant they both fired. Hour after hour,
md day after day, had they practiced |
.ogether at pistol shooting, and their |
aim was as quick as it was sure. The |
,wo outside men staggered, and on the |
lext instant, the youths fired again. At |
his movement, the savages were thrown |
nto a state of alarm. Three of their /
lumber were shot through the head and |
lad fallen, while the fourth had received |
ball in his neck and was staggering |
back. In a moment, Goupart and Louis |
Jaw their advantage, and they seized |
nelr empty flHeS anu SpranS FORWARD.
md in few moments more the six In |
lians. lay PROSTATE. A full minute the
wo victors stood and gazed upon the |
work they had done, and then Louis turn
ID to his companion and said:
"If we's killed 'em all, we shall never
NOW surely what this all meant
"Are these two last ones dead, think
you?" returned Goupart. "They may be
,nly stunned
''We'n see; but 1 think you'll find the
me l struck with his brains rather dis
urbed." :
And so it proved with both of them,
or upon examination it was found that |
heir skulls were both broken in, and |
hat life was extinct. But while they
we're thus engaged they heard a groan
lose at hand, and on turning they saw
hat one of the Indians who had been
hot had worked himself almost into
itting posture against a tree, and was
low trying to work further around, so as
o get his face towards the west. Both /
Louis and Goupart fastened to him at
nee, when they found that he had re-
.eived ball through the neck.
water, water!' he groaned.
'Stop," uttered Louis, as his compan-
~, Al