Weekly journal-miner., 1909-10-27

forming a part of the enclosure. In the corner of the cabin close to where the corral joined to it, was the bunk on which the occupants slept, and just above it was an opening two feet in length cut through the logs, used as a window and closed with a sliding board door. 1 The shallow waters of Willow creek flowed close to the cabin and on down through the little valley, its banks being heavily wooded with tall willows, ash and box-alder trees.
 Down the draw in the open flat and within. sight of the cabin a small bunch of cattle were quietly feeding upon the rank growth of gramma grass which covered the ground. The mountain slopes were covered with oak brush close down to the flat.
 The two hunters had just returned from back in the pine timber bring ing a big fat buck which lay stretch ed on the ground in the shade of the | trees.
 They sat upon the log enjoying restful smoke. A few steps away Old Bull, the indispensable camp dog, lay win his head on his extended fore legs eyeing the dead deer, dreaming of venison steaks.
 q say, Shep, we'd better hang up that buck and look after them cat tie, it's about time fur them sneaky redskins to come prowlin' around O these moony nights, and we don't want tew be jumped 'thout knowin' it," remarked Uncle Jack.
 Quietly drawing at his pipe, send ing out occasional deliberate puffs of smoke, Shep was intently looking across the little valley to the noun tain slope, and replied:
 "I'm bound, Uncle Jack, what ar them across hyin' so buisy fur among the brush over on that slope7" taking his pipe from his mouth and leisurly polnlng the stem towards the noun tain slope facing them.
 Looking earnestly at the place in dieated by Shep, Uncle Jack slowly knocked the ashes from his pipe and placing it in his shirt pocket, coolly answered.: By gum, they hain't no crows, them is Injins' heads jumpin from bush to bush, am I'm bound they ar makin' fur them steers"
 Seizing his rife, Shep hurriedly drew back through the pines to the creek bottom, Bull following closely at his heels. Running down the stream, in a short time he emerged from the willows at a point between the cattle and the Indians and quickly rounding the cattle in towards the corral. In the meantime, Uncle Jack had taken a position at the corral covering Shep and the battle with his nfle. Seeing they were discovered the Indians scattered, making a rush to cut Shep off and surround him.
 Now they were within good rifle shot from the corral. Crack went Uncle Jacks rifle. The foremost Indian plunging headlong, rolled over in the grass. He had hardly stopped falling when Bull seized him by the throat, shaking him vigorously. It took the Indians but a moment to i'll the old dog with bullets and ar rows, but that short time enabled Shep and the cattle to reach the cor ral.
 Jack and Shep hurried into the cabin, bOlted the door and prepared for a siege which they well knew was on.
 The savages came boldly on with daring yells and a rush.
 Crack, crack, two puffs of smoke from the loop holes and two more redskins bit the dust and rolled into the dust.
 Quickly surrounding the corral and sheltering themselves from the dead ly bullets coming from the cabin, the Indians cautiously set about to capture both white men and cattle
 Uncle Jack and Shep at once re- alized their situation and saw no hope for escape unless assistance should come to them from the out side. Determined upon selling their lives at a high price their aim was deliberate and but few of their shots missed the mark.
 The yelling and shouting on the outside of the cabin was met with defiant yells and shouts from within. And bullets and arrows rained upon