Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-12-13
IAN ADVEN TURE.
With INDIANS.
BY HARTLEY O. PRESTON

While l was In the employ OF the
government shortly after the death OF
the gallant Custer, ran down and cap
tured an Indian quarter.breed who had
stolen some things from Fort Larned.
He was imprisoned for several weeks,
and some of his friends declared that
should pay for the indignity with my
life.
The three whom had to fear were
called Red Earth, Half Moon and
Cloudy Day. They drew rations at the
agency. and were supposed TO live
within the limits. but as matter OF
fact. We're prowlins over the country
most of the time. ripe for any mis-
chief.
| was then riding between two posts
about so miles apart, and the Indians
knew full well where to find me at
any time within the week, for, count.
ing the halts at each end of the route,
the round trip was made every seven
lays.
For 20 miles of the journey had
stage road and was sure of company.
For 20 miles farther the country was
fairly safe, because of the hunters.
trappers and scouts about. The dan.
gerous portion of the journey was con.
fined to about 25 miles. believed
knew where the Indians would attack
me II they held to their threats. II
was whore the trail left the base OF
The mountain to take to the valley,
where was a canyon making into tho
HILL and the trail ran within 80 feet
OF its mouth before turning to the left.
III the weather was good | always
passed this point In going west ut
about nine o'clock in the morning. In
going the other way | arrived abolt
sunset, and made my camp In tao
bushes growing around spring.
l figured that tho Indians would
shoot me down as | rode up to the
spring, or very soon after | had dis.
mounted. II is the unwritten law OF
the frontier that when man threatens
your life, even II he is drunk at tho
time, you are expected to protect your.
self by shooting him first. l had wit.
nesses that these Indians had threat.
ened to wipe me out, and was OK.
pected to shoot any one OF them on
sight.
knew they would not act upon their
threat at once. as they would expect
me to be on guard, and perhaps have
an escort. Therefore. waited until
my second trip before carrying out
my plans. The Indians would reach
the canyon In the afternoon. and a
lookout could see me Ave miles away
Half mile from the spot, however.
was wooded ridge TO hide my i'm.
mediate approach, and this ridge ran
around to tho canyon.
Moderating the pace OF the horse to
suit my plans, approached the valley
half an hour ahead of my usual time
When three mileS away dlsmounted.
tied string tightly around my horses
right knee and then advanced, leading
him. The cord caused him to limp
as II he had gone lame suddenly.
slouched along as careless as possible
until reached the ridge. Then sent
my horse forward alone. knowing he
would halt ct the spring and wait for
me.
AS soon as he was gone struck into
the timber and circled around TO get
as close to the mouth OF the canyon
as possible. The last 200 feet OF the
distance crawled upon hands and
knees.
My horse had stopped by the way
10 catch up a mouthful OF grass here
md there. and got my first look into
!he mouth OF the canyon just as h,
approached the spring. For moment
was ready to acknowledge that wal
beaten at my line OF reasoning, as !
could not see redskln, but while the
horse was drinking the would-be assas
s'us came into view, each with his rife
'pr use.
They waited three or four minutes
20 see why | did not come up. ant
then were about to move forward wher
opened fire. ] dropped Half Moon Ii
his tracks, tumbled Cloudy Day over
as he sprung for shelter, and flret
upon but missed Red Earth as he
lodged behind great bowlder. Had
he jumped backward into the canyon
he would have had all the advantage
but in his sudden surprise he made
three or four leaps and took shelter be
tween me and the spring.
| should not have fired upon him hat
he ran off, and II he had asked for
truce | would have come out had VIC
been left undisturbed, but the horse
pr ssently came to my aid. The firing
excited him, and he had been trained
20 look upon an Indian as an enemy
he saw the redslSin behind a rock ant
charged him savagely. The fellow
sprang up. thus exposing himself, ant
| was waiting for the opportunity.
The three Indians had come to the
ambush on horseback / took their
rifles, ponies, and other truck to the
post, and turned them over to the com.
mandant. He sent word to the head
men Of the tribe at the agency Of what
had happened and three men came for
the goods, but never one OF them had
any complaint to make. 1t being well
understood that simply defended my
self.