Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1908-07-03

water stood foot deep right De1ors
the door Of the underground retreat
Never pausing, the brave boy plunged
In up to his knees, Frank clinging to
him in increased terror.
After little wadlng and founder.
ing in the water, Edward fell headlong
and completely exhausted into the
doorway of the old dug-out
Their sudden arrival dislodged a
jack-rabblt that had been enjoying un.
disputed possession, and he went leap.
ing away through the shallowest OF
the water and out on the prairie,
where his fright gained a new impetus
from the Indian raiders.
The interior of the dug-out was dry,
and, as soon as the boys had regained
their breath sufficiently, they drew
away from the entrance, crouching In
terrified suspense. Would the Indians
find them there, after all their difficult
struggles to conceal themselves?
They had barely withdrawn to the
interior of the dug-out, when they
heard the whoops of the Indians not
far away, and the pursued cattle came
laundering along the ravine, some of
them passing directly over the heads
of the trembling boys, and dashing
madly into the water and out to the
prairie beyond.
The frightened herd passed out OF
sight, their dusky foes closely pursu.
ing.
An hour after, when all seemed still,
Edward crept to the door to recon.
noitre. Suddenly he started back, his
face white.
"What is it?" asked Franks voice
almost sunk to a whisper.
"The Injuns are burning Bill Skaggs
ranch. l can see the flames from here.
It's good for us, Frank, that cart
broke and delayed us, or we'd likely
got there about the time the Injuns
did, and too late to catch Bill"
Eyes. l do hope Bills folks got
away safe."-
Il do, too. And l hope father and
mother are safe also"
ooh, 1 wish we were with themp
And Franks tears rolled unheeded
down his cheeks.
They'll be troubled about us wher-
ever they are,' said Edward "Thay
will hear of the Injuns in town, and
won't venture home tonight. But we
are safe now, Frank, and let us hopI
for the best"
And Edward placed his arms about
the sobblng boy and tried to act as
comforter.
All that day and the next the boys
remained in the dug-out, suffering
from the pangs of hunger, and not dar-
ing to venture out, for the prairies
around them were full of struggling
bands of Cheyennes, slaughtering cat.
tie, plundering and burning cabins.
Their own cabin had been burned
soon after Bill Skaggs', and, as the
boys had listened to the savage shouts
so near to their hiding place, they had
grown hopeless, and expected every
moment that they would be discov.
cred
But the third day came, and they
were safe still, but growing very weak
from want Of food The pond had fur.
nished them drink.
Edward ventured to the door Of the
dug-out to take look around over the
prairie A band Of mounted men came
dashlng along. Edward saw them, and
turning, with a cry Of joy, he ex.
! claimed:
frank, we're rescued! Father ana
some others are riding this way; so
the Injuns must be gone. Cheer up ~
And glad tears stood in the eyes OF
both boys
The horsemen rode rapidly to the
spot where the cabin had stood, dis
mounted and began to search among
the ashes and charred logs.
my boys have either been killed
somewhere on the prairie, or else are
captives in the hands of the Chey-
ennes," said Mr.. Bassett, In a husky
voice.
Don't give up yit," advised Ira
Sykes. 81 tell yer them's gritty kids
O. yern."
whats tibet over there?" asked Bill
Skaggs, pointing to the ravlne
Every man in the party looked, and
saw something on a pole waved vic.
lently in the air.
Maybe Injun trap ter draw us in
ter ambush" suggested one.
"It's them thar blessed kids" spoke
Ira, swinging into his saddle; that's
what it is. Don't yer see two of 'em,
an one, with his hat on stick, away
in it toward us?
you're right, Ira," said Mr.. Bassett
in a choked voice. ITS my boys
Thank God They found refuge In the
old dug-out."
Almost wild with joy, the father rode
toward the signal which Edward had
used to attract them.
In few moments Edward and
Frank, weak and pale from their great
fright and long fasting, but safe, were
pressed TO the heart of the grateful
settler-Montreal Star.
OBSERVANCE OF EASTER.