Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-21
J 0ue on the Pampas ]
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OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 2222Ge;
By q, A. HENTY

'hoI hc "oo q iiiic al IuciI uilcNI iVal.
He advanced with the greatest caution,
every faculty absorbed in the sense of
listening. He was soon rewarded by
the sound of the baaing of the sheep, and
dismountinI and leading his horse, he
gradually approached the spot. At last,
on ascending a slight rise he fancied
that he could make out a black mass at
distance of a quarter of a mile.
He now left his horse, taking the pre-
caution of tying all four legs. He next
set to work to cut some turf, with which
he formed a narrow sloping bank, with
hollow for the rocket to rest in-calcu-
lated the exact distance and the angle
required. All being prepared Mr.. Hardy
took the signal rocket, and placing it at
a much higher angle than that intended
for the others, struck a match and ap-
piled it to the touch paper. In moment
| afterward there was loud roar and the
| rocket scared up, with its train of bril-
liant sparks behind it, and burst almost
over the Indian camp. Five or six balls
Of an intense white light broke from it,
and gradually fell toward the ground,
lighting up the whole surrounding plain.
A yell Of astonishment and fear broke
from the Indians, and in a moment an
other rocket rushed out.
Mr.. Hardy watched its fiery way with
anxiety, and saw with delight that its di-
rection was true. Describing slight
curve, it rushed full at the black mass,
struck something, turned abruptly, and
then exploded with loud report. follow
ed instantly by Il cracking noise, like a
struggling fusillade of musketry. 1t had
scarcely ceased before the third followed
it, greeted, like its predecessors, with
yell from the Indians. Its success was
equal to that of its predecessors and Mr..
Hardy was delikhted by the sound of a
dull, heavy noise, like distant thunder,
and knew that the success was complete,
and that he had stampeded the cattle.
He now ran to his horse, which was
trembling in every limb and struggling
wildly to escape, soothed it by patting it,
loosed its bonds, sprang into the saddle,
and went off at full gallop in the direc-
tion by which he had come. He had not
ridden very far before he heard in the
still night air, the repeated sound of fire.
arms, and knew that the boys were upon
the trail Of the cattle. Mr.. Hardy had
little fear Of the Indians pursuing, them;
he felt sure that the slaughter Of the
day by the new and mysterious firearms,
| together with the effect of the rockets.
would have too much terrified and cowed
them for them to think of anything but
| flight.
"Hurrah. papa" the boys said as he
rode up to them. "They have gone by at
a tremendous rush-sheep and cattle and
all. We started the moment we saw
your first rocket, and got up just as they
rushed past, and we Joined in behind and
fired, and yelled till We were hoarse.
| don't think they will stop again to-
night"
Did you see or hear anything of the
Indians, boys?"
| "Nothing, papa. When the first rocket
burst we saw several dark figures leap
up from the grass-where they had been.
no doubt, scouting-and run toward the
camp; but that was all. What are we
to do nowY
ride on straight for home. We need
not trouble about the animals; they won't
stop till they are back. We must 20
easily, for our horses have done a very
long days work already. They have been
between fifty and sixty miles. | think
that we had better ride on for another
hour. By that time the moon will be up.
and we shall be able to see for miles
across the plain. Then we will halt till
daybreak-it will only be three hours
and the horses will be able to carry us
in at canter afterward."
| And so it was done. In an hour the
moon was fairly up, and, choosing a rise
whence clear view could be obtained
| the horses were allowed TO feed, and
Mr. Hardy and Hubert lay down to sleep.
Charley taking the post of sentry with
orders to wake the others at daybreak
The day was just dawning when he
aroused them. Wake up, papa. There
are some figures coming over the plain E"
MIR. Hardy and Hubert were on their
feet in an instant. Where, Charley?"
From the north papa. They must
have passed us in their pursuit of the
cattle, and are now returning-empty
handed, anyhow; for there are only sew.
en- or eight of them, and they are driving
nothing before them"
BY this time all three were in the sad.
die again.
shall we attack them, papag
mo, boys; we have given them quite
severe lesson enough. At the same time
we will move little across, so that we
can get good sight of them as they pass
and make sure that they have got nothing
with them"
II don't think they are Indians at all :"
Hubert said. as the figures rapidly ap.
preached. "Halloow
"Halloo! hurrah!' came back to them; 4;
and In another five minutes they We're
shaking hands heartily with their three
friends from Canterbury. the Jamiesons,