The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1909-08-19

IN those days-it was in the year
uO-whisky was the great factor
the Indian trade, in spite OF the
Il passed by Congress making Its
se or even its importation into the
Indian country, illegal. In one way
another it was smuggled past the
nsoectors to the various posts, where
was doled out to the trappers, red
br white, at fabulous prices.
silas Jackson was a fur-trapper OF
he better sort. He never touched
ouor or spent his earnings in any
n the many ways which kept his as
kociates penniless, If not in debt. He
kas ambitious and frugal, and he
sarried in his mind a picture of
5,blue.grass" farm in certain Ken
Hucky county, where some day he
meant TO raise blooded horses and go
10 church on a Sunday in blue broad
Mloth with silver buttons.
a Since he lived straight, he was
man Of vigor and the swallow-tailed
|<e was not much keener of sight.
fhe other trappers called him lucky
because he went and came without
3osing pelt or pack and had never
had a brush with the Indians. 1t
Was not luck, however, that served
Ebim so we'll, but sound Judgment,
kear eyes and an unimpaired body.
Even when the Blackfeet, hostile
Enough tribe when they were sup
posed to be at peace with the whites,
openly waved the hatchet, Jackson
managed to cross their country twice
without being seen. On the third
. lime, however. as he was returning
rom Fort Union for the spring trap
ping, an incident happened which
bad an important bearing on the most
thrilling adventure of his life.
He was in a region thickly studded
Fith buttes. Three or four thin col
rmns of smoke had warned him that
here were Blackfeet near, so he trav-
eled with the greatest caution. He
ftepped so noiselessly that he almost
fan into Blackfoot scout, who was
|Ftretched on the ground at the foot
<pf tall. streaked butte, drinking
@3rom a tiny spring-hole.
81 The Indian had not heard him. He
&lay drinking greedily, with his bow
{by his side, completely at Jackson s
&nercy. The trapper stood motion
less, thinking hard. He knew that
Eninety-nine men out of a hundred
would have killed the Blackfoot as
ne lay. The relentless ethics of In
dian warfare did not recognize inde-
tision or compassion. 1t was a case
fof Kill or fly at sight on both sides
and 1t was too late for Jackson to fly.
Somehow he could not bring him
selt to slay the scout in cold blood.
well as he knew the Indian would
not have hesitated to shoot him IN
the back If the chance had offered.
8but it was necessary to insure his
<own safety in some way.
So, drawing full breath, he sud.
denly sprang upon the PROSTATE fig.
ure, and seizing the Blackfoot's right
arIn, drew it forcibly backward. Al
the same time he struck him a pow.
erful blow in the neck.
The Blackfoot let out a cry thai
was smothered by the water at his
hps The breath was knocked out Of
MN by the force with which Jack
sons knees landed in the small o.
MS back, and the violent blow on hi.
heck further dazed him. Probabl,
ne did not know at first what had at
'aeEed him, whether it was a man o.
ZONE wild animal; but he was no
iong IN doubt. Rallying his scattered
senses, he began to heave and strug
sle frantically; but Jackson wa
much the more powerful of the two
anc he had the frightened Indian a
disadvantage, besides. In a few
minutes he had the scouts hand
drawn behind his back and boun,
with a spare bowstring from his owl
\ culver.
Then Jackson let him up, and tn
TWO faced each other, painting. Al
.nough his legs were free. the Black
loot made no attempt to run away
ms respect for the trapper's lon
flne kept him motionless, but h
s'ared through his war-paint at Jack
hoI ready to meet death as becam
blackfoot warrior.
Jackson guessed his thought an
hhook his head.
NO." he said, In the other
,ongue, I'm not going to kill yoi
efhaps I'm a fool. but trappin
peaVer and not shooting people is IN
business. You let me alone and /
"' you alone. Understand"
ihe Blackfoot apparently coul
MI That this solitary white ma
suould show mercy to a scout in III
.uemy's country seemed against a
'ne rules of warfare and commo
ssnse. II was some trick. His ey
steamed scornfully.
jackson walked up to him and pl
niger on his bare chest.
I'm not going to kill you," he r
pe"'ed. "or any OF your people
.ou let me alone. I'm going aws
w. out OF your country" He points
go?r -" ~ ~ =
rne Blackfoot stared at him, Al
ss grim lines in his face gradual
You gc!" he grunted.
All right" said jackson. II