The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1907-10-16

dams had driven the horses into a
corner formed BY a yard fence and
a field fence. The Indians bad
| formed a line across the opening
and by gradually closing in hoped to
capture the horses. saw at once
that our horses were not in the herd
so l was somewhat disinterested,
but concluded to watch the proceed
ings. AS the Indians closed in the
horses became frightened, and fin
ally one holder than the rest made a
dash and went through the line,
followed by all the others. The
Indians Immediately went after
them and soon had them back in the
same corner, using the same tactics
with the same result. Again they
brought them in. This time they
asked me to catch the horses for
them. | said they were not mine
and / couldn't catch them. They
then asked me to get in the line
with them and help catch them. At
first / refused. but thinking that if
/ were in the line the horses would
be apt to break towards me, |
changed my mind and took my place
about the middle Of the line. As /
expected, when the horses turned
they made directly for me. while l,
shouting and wildly paving the air,
pretended to do all | could to stop
them, but was really very careful
not to do so. / had done this twice,
and while watching the Indians out
on the prairie after the herd, con-
graduated myself on the success of
my scheme, believing that / would
be able to continue it and so entirely
prevent the Indians from catching
the horses.
While thus watching the chase, an
old squaw came near and passed be-
hind me but did not appear to see
me, but she said in a low voice
'puckachee tehan" Ego away, or go
far off. l turned to look at her
but she was watching the Indians so
| said nothing. thinking she had dis
covered my trick and wished to get
me away before the horses could be
brought back. However. resolved
to stay and did, with the same re-
suit. was again watching the pur-
suit when the same big Indian who
had entered our house and asked
for the rifles, stepped up and put
his left arm about my neck and
Rugged me hard, saying that he
would like to scalp me and guessed
he would before night. At the same
time he struck me over the head
with his lariat. This treatment was
entirely expected and resented, for
as his left arm was around my neck
his ribs on that side were fully
exposed and / gave him so strong a
punch with my right fist that he
emitted a very large grunt and i'm
mediately let go and walked off.
| had caught a glimpse Of old
Beaver Creek who was the only one
that knew. | thought that surely
he would explain the strange doings
but he refused to say a word to me.
When / approached him he hastily
turned away and seemed greatly
excited. Still my suspicious were
not aroused for / thought all these
strange acts were because of the
Chippewa raid. | did not dream of
any danger to the whites.
Believing that my little scheme
had been discovered and that |
would not be allowed to practice it
any further, and knowing that our
horses were not in the drove, made
up my mind to go home. So start
ed on lope, which was my usual
gait when alone. Instead of taking
the road which was on the prairie,
| went little farther and entered
the bushes which was the beginning
of the timber of the bluffs. The
bushes were not thick and could
run through them as easily as in the
road. Why | went into the bushes
| really do not know for | was not
in the least frightened or excited.
l had heard nothing alarming and