Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-09-25
CHAPTER XVI.

tnan tney naQ anticipated. MANY VI th0
horses had broken down under fatigue;
and as they had no spare horses to re-
place them as the Indians had in like case
done from those they had driven OH
from Mr.. Mercer, they were forced to
travel far more slowly than at first. Ihey
gained upon the Indians. however, as
they could tell by the position of the
camping ground for the night.
At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the
last day they passed the place their enc
my had left that morning; but although
they kept on until long after sunset,
many of them having led their horses all
day, they were still more than thirty
miles away from the mountains among
which they knew that the Indian village
was situated.
None of the gauchos had ever been
there, but they knew its situation and
general features by report They had
no difficulty in following the trail since
they had struck it, That was night OF
terrible anxiety to all. Many Of the party
were already exhausted by their long day
under burning sun. 1t was altogether
impossible to reach the village that night.
Before daybreak they were on again on
the march all on foot and leading their
horses, in order to spare them as much
as possible should they be required at
night. Speed was now no object. 1t was,
they knew, hopeless to attack in broad
daylight, as the Indians would be more
than match for them, and Ethers life
would be inevitably sacrificed. They
walked, therefore, until within six or
seven miles of the gorge, nearer than
which they dared not go, lest they might
be seen by any struggling Indian.
AS evening fell they were all in the sad
die, and were pleased to find that the
horses were decidedly fresher for their
rest. They did not draw rein until the
ground became stony, and they knew that
they must be at the mouth Of the gorge.
Then they dismounted and picketed the
horses. Two Of the gauchos We're sta
toned with them as guards, and the rest
went stealthily forward-the rockets be-
ing intrusted to the care of Terence.
1t was still only 8 o'clock dangerously
early for surprise; but the whole party
were quite agreed to risk everything, as
no one could say in what position Ethel
might be placed, and what difference an
hour might make. Their plan was to
steal quietly up to the first hut they
found, to gag its inmates and compel one
Of them, under threat Of instant death,
to guide them to the hut in which Ethel
was placed.
Suddenly Mr.. Hardy was startled By a
dark figure rising from rock against
which he had almost stumbled, with the
words: white man good. Tawaina
friend. Come to take him to child"
Then followed a few hurried questions,
and no words can express the delight and
gratitude of Mr.. Hardy and his sons, and
the intense satisfaction of the others on
finding that Ethel was alive and for the
present free from danger.
Her kindness to Tawaina while he lay
wounded at her home had brought to her
aid friend among enemies.
1t was agreed now to wait for two
hours to give time for the Indians to re-
tire to rest; and while they waited Ia
waina told them all that had happened
up to the arrival at the village, passing
over the last days proceedings by saying
briefly that Ethel had run a great risk
of being put to death, but that delay
had been obtained by her friends. Hav-
ing told his story, he said: "Tawaina
friend to great white chief. Gave signal
with arrow; saved little White Bird to-
day. But Tawaina Indian-not like see
Indian killed. White chief promise not
kill Indian women and children?'
Mr.. Hardy assured the Indian that
they had no thought of killing women and
children.
IF can take little White Bird without
waking village, not kill men?" Tawaina
asked again.
I'VE do not want to wake the village if
we can help it, Tawaina; but do not see
any chance Of escaping without a fight.
Our horses are all dead beat, and the In
dians will easily overtake us even il we
get nights start
Mustn't go out on plain" Tswaina
said, earnestly. 'If 20 out on plain, all
killed. Indian two hundred and fifty
bravese-eat up white men on plain"
II am afraid that is true enough. Ia
waina, though we shall prove very tough
morsels. Still we should fight at fear
full disadvantage in the open. But what
are we to do?'
Come back to mouth of canyon-hold
that; can keep Indians off as long as like.
Indians have to make peace"
"Capital!' Mr.. Hardy said, delighted
ly; for he had reviewed the position with
great apprehension, as he had not seen
how it would be possible to make good
their retreat on their tired horses in the
teeth Of the Indians. "'rhe very thing,
AS you say. we can hold the gorge for a
month, if necessary, and sooner or later
they will be sick of it and agree to let us
retreat in quiet. Besides. n weeks rest
would set our horses up again. and then
we could make our retreat in spite of