The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-02-13

dams coming towards them, with thei
tomahawks raised.
Here's a scrape," utteerd Goupart
starting back. What does It meanT
"I'Il find out" returned Louis, calmly
''But don't show your pistols, for thel
know we've discharged our rifles, ant
the hope to take us at a disadvantage.
Then turning to the red men, he asked
"What now, red brethren? What seel
ye here?"
The Indians consulted a moment to
gether, and then one of them advanced
single pace, and replied:
1--WE seek the young white chief and hi:
friend. We would speak with them kind
ly"
'"Then why did you send that arrow al
usT
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 us, say
it at once" he said.
"Let our white brothers not fear. II
they will come with us, we will tell them
what shall be to their good"
81 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
high ransom from my father for us.
We haye 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 you'll need
it for club"
Next Louis turned to the indians and
| said:
1--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 few moments, and
then, with quick, wild gestures, and a
low howl, not unlike the voice of a hun
CRY wolf, they sprang forward with their
tomahawks uplifted. 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
BILE appearance and fearful antics would
strike him with terror.
"Now" whispered Louis. "You take
the two men on your side, and I'll take
the two on the other side. Don't waste
ball."
In an instant the two companions had
drawn their weapons, and at the same
instant they both fred Hour after hour,
and day after day, had they practiced
together at pistol shooting, and their
aim was as quick as it was sure. The
two outside men staggered, and on the
next instant, the youths fired again. At
this movement, the sayages were thrown
into a state Of alarm. Three of their
number were shot through the head and
had fallen, while the fourth had received
ball in his neck and was staggering
back. In moment, Goupart and Louis
saw their advantage, and they seized
their empty rifles and sprang forward,
and In a few moments more the six In
dians lay PROSTATE. A full minute the
two victors stood and gazed upon the
work they had done, and then Louis turn
ed to his companion and said:
'If we's killed 'em all, we shall never
know surely what this all meant"
"Are these two last ones dead, think
your" returned Goupart. "They may be
only stunned"
"We'll see; but think you'll find the
one struck with his brains rather dis
turbed."
And so 1t proved with both of them,
for upon examination 1t was found that
their skulls were both broken in, and
that life was extinct. But while they
were thus engaged they heard groan
close at hand, and on turning they saw
that one of the Indians who had been
shot had worked himself almost into
sitting posture against a tree, and was
now trying to work further around, so as
to get his face towards the west Both
Louis and Goupart hastened to him at
once, when they found that he had re-
ceived ball through the neck.
"Water, waterr' he groaned.
"Stop," uttered Louis, as his compan-
ion started towards the brook. And then
turning to the dying Indian, he said:
IF well get you water and turn your
eyes to the setting sun, will you tell the
truth?"
II will-I willp'
The water was brought in Goupart's
canteen, and upon drinking, the poor fell
low seemed to revive. GOupart bound
up his neck, which was bleeding profuse-
ly, and just as he had finished the Job
the Indian put out his weakening arm,
and laid his hand upon Louis shoulder.
"The pale boy has the heart of a great
warrior. He would not have escaped us
had we known how brave he was"
"But why did you try to do this?"
asked Louis, Remember now, you prom
ised to speak truly"
white man brought gold here, and we
have learned to love 1t. Much gold had
been ours, and we" The Indian
stopped, for he was weak, and he made
a sign that they should turn his face to-
wards the sun, And" he uttered, "bury
me So"
Look yer cried Louis, grasping him
by the arm, and gazing intently into his
face, while Goupart stood by reloading
the rifles, ''if you do not tell me instant.
ly what all this means. I'll dig hole In
the earth and you shall be buried with
your head down. You know very we'll
where you'll so to then. Now tell me,
who sent you to kill us2"
1--WE didn't mean to kill the pale boy"
replied the Indian, speaking slowly and
with difficulty,
But who sent you to capture him? Re
fnemher-head DOWN.
"You had known better, had you spar
ed smother, That man was our chief;
he knew"
But you know something. Tell me
all, or rs sure as live. you go in