Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-21
CHAPTER IX.-(Continued.)


them up to the Indians, who had stopped
within mile of their former halting
place.
THE moon will be up by 1 o'clock,
boys, and they mean to remain where
they are till then. Do you see that hol-
low that runs just this side of where
they are? No doubt there is a small
stream there"
This time the Indians made no move
to retreat further. They knew now that
their assailants were only three in num-
ber. They were armed, indeed, with
weapons which in their terrible rapidity
of fire were altogether beyond anything
they had hitherto seen; but in the dark
ness these would be of no avail against
sudden rush.
But if the Indians did not run away,
neither did they, as before, attack their
assailants. Their horses had been plac-
ed in the middle of the cattle, with few
Indians standing by them to keep them
quiet. The rest Of the Indians were not
to be seen. but Mr.. Hardy guessed that
they were lying down in the long grass,
or were concealed among the animals.
"The rascals have got q clever chief
among them, boys. Except those half
dozen heads we see over the horses backs
there is nothing to see of them. They
know that If we go close they can pick
us off with their guns and bows and ar
rows, without giving us a single fair shot
at them. Don't go any nearer, boys; no
doubt there are many Of their best shots
hidden in the grass
I'VE could scatter the cattle with a
rocket, papa
"Yes, we could, Hubert, but we should
gain nothing by it; they have got men by
their horses, and would soon get the herd
together again. No. we will keep that for
the night. Halloo to the right, boys, for
your lives"
Not moment too soon did Mr.. Hardy
perceive the danger. The chief of the In
dans, expecting another attack, had or
dered twenty of his best mounted men to
separate themselves from the main body,
and to hide themselves in dip of the
ground near the place where the first at
tack had taken place. They were to al
low the whites to pass and were then to
follow quietly upon them.
Complete success had attended the ma
neuver, and it was fortunate that the
party had no firearms, these having been
distributed among the main body with
the cattle, for they were within forty
yards of Mr.. Hardy before they were
seen. 1t was, in fact a repetition of the
maneuver which had proved so successful
in their attack upon the cattle.
They were not Immediately in the rear
\ l,,,E hon. 70 hal laft A c
Mr.. Hardy and his sons turned to fly, Il
number Of Indians sprang upon their feet
from among the grass and discharged a
volley of guns and arrows at them. For
tunately the distance was considerable.
One of their arrows, however, struck Mr..
Hardy's horse in the shoulder, while an
other stuck in the riders arm. Another
went through the calf of Huberts leg
and stuck in the flap of the saddle.
There was no time for word or COM
plant. They buried their spurs in their
horses sides, and the gallant animals,
feeling that the occasion was urgent.
seemed almost to fly. In a mile they
were able to break into steady gallop.
Mr.. Hardy had already pulled the arrow
from his arm, and Hubert now extracted
his. AS he stopped to do so his father,
who had not noticed that he was wound
ed, saw what he was doing.
"Hurt much, old man"
Not much" Hubert said; but it did
hurt good deal, nevertheless.
1t was perfectly dark before they reach
ed their halting place. The saddles We're
again loosened, little Indian corn, moist
ened with water, given to the horses, and
another slight meal taken by themselves.
The boys, by Mr.. Hardy's orders. though
sorely against their own wishes, then lay
down to get couple of hours sleep;
while Mr.. Hardy went back about hun
dred yards along the trail that they had
made on coming, and then turned aside
and sat down at u distance of few
yards to watch, in case any Indians
should have followed up their trail
Here he sat for over two hours, and
then returned to the boys. Charley he
found fast asleep. The pain OF Huberts
wound had kept him awake. Mr.. Har-
dy poured some water over the bandage,
and then, waking Charley, gave them in
structions as to the part they We're to
play.
Both of them felt rather uncomfortable
when they heard that they were to be
separated from their father. They raised
no objections, however, and promised to
obey his instructions to the letter. They
then mounted their horses and began to
rctrace their steps, keeping hundred
yards or so to the west of the track by
which they had come.
They rode in single file, and they had
taken the precaution OF fastening a piece
of tape round their horses nostrils and
mouth to prevent their snorting should
they approach any OF their own species
The night was dark, but the stars shonp
out clear and bright. At starting MIR
Hardy had opened his watch, and had