Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-04


vnzaaU ing over, but could see no living
thing and no signs of the ma aT
who had so recently given us trouble my
had gone up the valley, out OF sight, anu VIC
never saw them more.
We were again upon high and dry PIC
teau, where there was nothing but an ocea,
siond swell of the prairies to relieve 'he
monotony of the scene.
"We'll find neither water nor game TIL we
reach the Bots Cache" said Jerry, "and tna'
will take us till three o'clock" :. e.,
The Bots Cache is small stream dlgnhi',u
by the name of river Bots is the frenGh
for wood" and cache means hidden. In
plain English, this stream is the hidden
Wood River, and we learned the significance
of the name when we reached 1T.
A dry and dusty ride we had that day.
There was no breeze-only a strong, waving
motion, as of the atmosphere clinging close
to the ground, and looking In the distance
like vast lake Of agitated water. II was
the mirage-that strange phenomenon ohiy
seen upon level plains and in hot weather.
Jerry dismounted several times during the
forenoon, and carefully examined the tran,
but the ground was baked SO hard by, the
sun that he could gain little information from
At length, about the time our scout had
said, we reached the Bots Cache, coming upon
it SO suddenly as to almost startle u.s. We're
it called Hidden River, the name would be
more appropriate-so narrow and deep Is the
little valley through which it runs.
We had seen no game during the day, as
our route led SO far from any water-course,
but here there were abundant signs OF both
buffalo and antelope.
stances, it would be safer for one to hunt
alone, left us to care for the animals, while
he set out up the valley, in quest Of game,
and was soon lost to our sight around an
upright bend of the stream.
Although it was not yet four O'Clock, we
were compelled to camp for the night, as
there was no water to be found for twenty
five miles ahead; but, We had travelled
without stopping since morning, our animals
needed the rest.
After watering, we picketed them in the
valley until nearly shutdown, when the scout
came in with the saddle (hind Quarters)
of fine antelope hung around his neck.
Gathering some bundles of fuel, we repaired
to the top Of the hill to camp for the night,
not daring to stay in the narrow gorge.
Jerry had seen no signs of Indians up the
stream, nor were we able to find any evidence
of recent camp near the river.
Both the scout and the colonel concluded
that Charlie must have gone past this point,
not knowing the nature of the country in
front of him, and been compelled to bivouac
upon the prairie.
Nothing disturbed our slumbers that night,
and we pushed out again in the morning,
looking eagerly on all sides for some sign Of a
1T IS strange said Uncle Ben, "that we
do not find upon the whole route place
where the fellows with the mules made their
camg,t hi r.n,;.d 1errv "r,o.. t.,,.,..
never camp near trail with horses, or any
thing else that they've stolen on their hands.
1t wouldn't be bit strange if the boy should
pass them somewhere, and get to Fort Rice
before they do, apd it wouldn't surprise me
ayan if we ahOud do that very thinO our-
selves; and if we shouldn't run across an
other place where either they or the boy had
camped, it wouldn't be no sign, they were not
all three ahead OF us, neither"
We had learned to put great faith in the
scouts Judgment, and as we still Travelled on
without seeing further signs, of Indians our
faith in Charles safety steadily increased.
Shortly after noon the Missouri Valley
again came into view and from here our
route led up the river for half days journey.
with the sight Of several herds of buffalo,
one of which numbered three or four hun
dred; but as our larder was already as much
of a burden as we could carry, we did not
modest them The skulls and bones of these
animals, in all stages of decay, lay strewn
beside the trail showing that for generations
past the hunter had resorted to this region in
the buffalo season.
Night again overlook us, and still no trace
of Charlie, nor OF the parties he was pursuing,
nor, indeed, of any human being.
Next morning the trail led us away from
the Missouri, and another day passed without
incident, bringing us, at sunset, to Beaver
Creek.
remains Of recent campfire. We were now
within little more than a days ride of Fort
Rice, and began to feel juhilant at what we
conceived the certainty of finding Charlie al
last.
Well might we be, after following at his