The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1907-10-10

EODC, uhNSA "hiNh sAAS
was sheltered, gently rose with an almost
movement, and the red |
skins face appeared, darting glances OF
fire into the gloom. In a moment the |
guide raised himself slowly along the |
trunk of the tree against which he had !
been lying, embraced it with his feet and
hands, and with undulating movements re-
sembling those of reptiles, left the ground,
and raised himself to the first branches,
among which he disappeared.
This ascent was executed with such
well-calculated slowness that it had not
produced the slightest sound. Moreover,
the buffalo robe left at the foot of the
tree so we'll retained its primitive folds,
that it was impossible to discover, with
out touching it, that the man it sheltered
had left It.
Before selecting as his resting place the
foot of the tree in which he was now
concealed, the guide had assured himself
that this tree, which was very high and
leafy, was Joined at about two-thirds of
its height by other trees.
After a few minutes hesitation, the
guide drew in his belt, placed his knife
between his teeth, and with lightness Of
movement that would have done honor to
a monkey, he commenced literally hopping
from one tree to another hanging by his
arms and clinging to the creepers, wax
ing up, as he passed, the birds, which
flew away in alarm.
This strange journey lasted about three
quarters of an hour. At length the guide
stopped, looked attentively around him,
and gliding down the trunk, reached the
ground. The spot where he now found
| himself was a rather spacious clearing, in
| the center of which blazed an enormous
fire, serving to warm forty or fifty red
skins, completely armed and equipped for
war.
This detachment of redskins was GER
tainly on the war trail, or at any rate on
serious expedition, for they had with
them neither dogs nor squaws. In spite
of the slight care with which the Indians
were wont to guard themselves at night,
the free and deliberate manner in which
the guide entered their encampment prov
ed that he was expected by these warriors
who evinced no surprise at seeing him
but, on the contrary, invited him with
hospitable gestures to take seat at theii
fire. The guide sat down silently, tn,
chief standing by his side. This chic
was still young man, his marked fea
lures displaying the utmost craft ant
boldness. After rather heightened in
terval, doubtless expressly granted tn
visitor to let him draw breath and warn
himself, the young chief bowed to hin
and addressed him deferentially:
my father is welcome among his sons
they were impatiently awaiting his al
rival"
The guide responded to this compl
ment with a grimace.
; "Our scouts" the chief continued
| "have carefully examined the encampmer
; of the Yoris, and the warriors of tf
t Jester are ready. Is my father Curl
4 milla satisfied"
e Curumilla laid his right hand on h
chest and uttered with cultural accen
= "Ugh! which was with him a mark
the greatest joy.
{ The Jester and his warriors had bee
q too long acquainted with Curumilla f
his silence to seem strange; hence tn,
a yielded to his mania, and giving up Il
v hope of getting syllable out of his clos
lips, began a conversation in signs.
Il The redskins have two languages, Il
n written and the sign language. The la
Il ter which has attained high perfectio
% and which all understand, is usually Ell
v ployed when hunting, or on expedition
l. when a word pronounced even in a lc
a voice may reveal the presence of an al
n buscade to the enemy, whether men
beasts.
# 1t would have been interesting for al
d stranger who had been present at II
4. interview to see with what rapidity t
d gestures and signs were exchanged
Is tween these men, so strangely lit up
d. the ruddy glow of the fire.
lie At length this silent council terminal,
IN Curumilla raised his hand to heaven, a
h pointed to the stars, which were beg
ID ming to grow dim. and then left the C
1t Gle. The redskins respectfully follow
is him to the foot of the tree by the aid
which he had entered their camp. VIII
he reached it he turned round.
eI MAY the Wacondah protect my fa
Of er!" the Jester then said. "His SC
~ have thoroughly understood his int
D. tions, and will follow them literally. 7
m great pale hunter will have Joined
friends by this hour and he is doubtl
is awaiting u.s."
1 1T is good" Curumila answered, a
as saluting for the last time the warrio
" who bowed respectfully before him,
chief seized the creeping plants, and ra
dr ing himself by the strength of his wris
Is in a second he reached the branches q
ne disappeared.
1a The journey the Indian had made v
~ very important and needed to be so
-, him to run such great risks in order
~ have an interview at this hour Of
:. night with the redskins.
a The chief recommended his aerial t
=, with the same lightness and the sa