Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-14
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
After another ten minutes ride Mr..
Hardy again alighted and found very
perceptible increase Of warmth in the
bodies Of the sheep. 81 do not think that
they can have been dead much more than
quarter of an hour. Keep sharp
lookout ahead, boys; we may see them
at the top Of the next rise"
Not a word was spoken for the next
few minutes. Two or three slight swells
were crossed without any signs of the
enemy; and then, upon breasting rather
higher rise than usual, they saw a mass
Of moving beings in the distance.
"Haltw Mr.. Hardy shouted and the
boys instantly drew rein. Jump off,
boys. Only our heads have shown against
the sky. They can hardly have noticed
them. There, hold my horse; loosen the
saddle girths Of yours, too, and let them
breathe freely. Take the brides out of
their mouths. 1t seemed to me, by the
glimpse | got of our enemies, that they
were just stopping. l am going on to
make sure of it"
So saying, Mr.. Hardy again went for
ward short distance, going on his hands
and knees as he came to the crest Of the
rise, in. order that his head might not
show above the long grass. When he
reached it he saw at once that his first
impression had been correct. At a dis
tance Of a little over a mile a mass Of
animals were collected, and round them
were scattered a number Of horses, while
figures of men were moving among them.
1T is as / thought boys" he said,
when he rejoined his sons. "They have
stopped for while. The animals must
all be completely done up; they cannot
have come less than thirty miles. and will
require three or four hours rest, at the
least. One hour will do for our horses.
Rinse their mouths out with little water
and let them Craze il they are disposed;
In half an hour We will give them each
a double handful of Indian corn"
Having attended to their horses, which
they hobbled to prevent their straying,
Mr.. Hardy and the boys sat down and
made a slight meal. Then Mr.. Hardy
again reconnoitered. There was no
change; most Of the animals were lying
down, and there was little sign Of move
ment. Two or three Indians, however,
were standing motionless and rigid by
their horses sides, evidently acting as
sentries. The boys thought that hour
the longest that they had ever passed.
At last, however, their father looked at
his watch. Now, boys, 1t is five minutes
to the hour. Examine your carbines and
revolvers, see that everything is in order,
and that there Is no hitch. Tighten the
saddle girths and examine the buckles.
See that your ammunition and spare car
bine chambers are ready at hand"
"Hurrah!' the boys both shouted as
they started at canter up the rise. AS
they caught sight of the Indians every
thing was quiet as before; but in another
moment they saw the men on watch
throw themselves on to their horses
backs, figures leaped up from the grass
and ran toward their horses, and in little
over minute the whole were in motion.
Surely they are not going to run away
from three men, Charley said in a dis
gusted tone.
''rhey won't run far, Charley" Mr..
Hardy said quietly. by the time that
we are half way to them they will see
that we can have no one with us, aud
they will come on quickly enough. Halt,
boys--steady, dismount; take up your po-
stions quietly. Don't fire till give you
the word. l shall try my rifle first"
The well-trained horses, accustomed to
their masters firing from their backs,
stood as steady as IL carved in stone,
their heads turned inquiringly toward the
yelling throng Of horsemen who were ap-
preaching. Mr.. Hardy and the boys had
both dsmounted, so that the horses were
between them and the Indians, the sad
dies serving as rests for their firearms.
Five hundred yards, Charley2" his
father asked quietly.
"A little over, papa; nearly six, should
say."
Mr.. Hardy waited another ten seconds.
and hen his rifle cracked; and a yell of
nstonishmcnt and rage broke from the
Indians. as one OF their chiefs, conspicu.
Qua from Un old dragoon helmet, taken
probably In some skirmish with the sol.
diers, fell from his horse.
"Hurrah!' Charley cried. "Shall we
fire now. papar