The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-04-28
An Old-Time Adventure
Ry Fred Myron Colby.
ON ONE Of the last DAYS Of May, 1856,

on the connecticut, 10 look IOr TWO
horses that had strayed into the
woods.
The missing animals were gray
horse and black mare, respectively.
The mare had her young colt with her.
They both belonged to Williams fa-
Their, and the settler had promised the
boy that if he would find the horses,
and bring them safely home. he would
give him the colt for his labor.
The lads started off about six
o'clock in the morning, taking their
way down the river. William had his
fathers gun; but Charley, who was
younger. had not been allowed to take
one, Guns and ammunition were too
scarce at the fort to be intrusted to
boy IL years old.
1t was really dangerous to go out un-
armed great distance from the
block-house. for wildcats and wolves
were numerous In that region, and oc-
casionally bear was seen. The boys
themselves thought little Of the peril,
but IL was not without misgivings that
their mothers had seen them depart.
Charley was the happy possessor of
n jack-knife and he busted himself in
making arrows ms he trudged
along. The bow he fashioned from an
ash limb. and the arrows were of oak.
headed with sharp tacks that the boy
happened 10 have in his pocket. The
bowstrng was of stout Irvine. When
completed, it was hardly equal TO an
English long-bow, nor was Charley
Robin Hood; but it was nevertheless
quite dangerous weapon in his hands.
He amused himself shooting at SPUR
rels and birds, and was in high spirits
when he hit one.
The only traces of the animals they
were hunting after that they had yet
seen were their tracks, which they
ever and anon came across in the
"opens or imbedded in the banks of
the streams.
They listened and listened for the
friendly blinking of the bells but could
not hear them. Yet they felt assured
that they were on the right course.
They had proceeded about three
miles when Williams quick ear caught
the familiar ling-a-ling OF bell. But
y
be growing more indistinct.
"It's in the next open" said Will
liam. THAT is Sukey's. They can't
be far off. Good luckl Now I'll
have my colt and no trouble"
The boys were then in the thick
forest. The last "open" was half
mile behind them; the next might be
ms far in front of them. They hast
ened forward eagerly, following the
sound of the bell that came tinkling
at intervals through the woods.
They came to the "open," square
like area of nearly four acres, lying
low and level on the banks of the
Connecticut All at once the bells
ceased tinkling.
THAT is singular. Perhaps they
have gone down to the river to drink"
remarked William, looking in that di-
rection.
"Oh. no, there's the horses over by
that clump of birchesl" cried Charley.
Cant you see the old gray's side?"
That's strange, anyhow" declared
William. The last time | heard the
bell, could swear it was on the other
side of the open"
The bell commenced tinkling again.
IL most assuredly was on the opposite
side, near the stream.
-Suley and her colt must be over
there" said Charley, "but it's strange,
as you say, that they shouldn't be to-
gether."
We'll, you go that way and I will
60 this II we can catch them we can
ride home. | do hope the colt is not
lost or hurt"
William started in the direction to-
ward the river, and of course Charley
walked off in course just opposite.
When the latter was about halfway
across the clearing, he turned around
TO look at William. To his surprise,
his companion was not to be seen.
While he was gazing in tnat direc-
tion, he saw two Indians rise up
from behind a clump of alders and
look toward the river. At that i'm
slant William reappeared around
bend of the stream, where he had
been hidden from the sight OF his
friend.
As soon as William saw the savages.
he turned to run One of the Indians
at this fired after the fleeing boy and
shot him through the wrist.
The shot whirled him violently
round. The savages then seized him.
and binding him with deerslin
thong, carried him to their canoe,
which was in the river not 1ar distant.
Meanwhile, Charley, seeing the
plight of his companion, was moving
slowly away from the dangerous
neighborhood He hoped the Indians
had not seen him. Alone and without
any suitable weapon, he knew that he
could do nothing toward rescuing
poor William. His plan was to return
TO the settlement as quickly as pos
sible, inform his father of the circum-
stance. and have party start at once
to the rescue.
In order to reach s--~--e at the short
est notice, he had made up his mind
TO catch the gray horse. He could
see the animal still standing half
within the grove of poplars, and had