The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-10-26
JACKSON'S RACE FOR THE YELLOWSTONE.
BY ROBERT DORRIMAN.

In those daye-it was IN the year
1840-whisky was the great factor
In the Indian trade, in spite of the
act passed by Congress making it's
use, or even its importation into the
Indian country, illegal. In one way
or another it was struggled past the
inspectors to the various posts, where
1t was doled out to the trappers, red
or white, at fabulous prices.
Silas Jackson was a fur-trapper of
the better sort. He never touched
liquor or spent his earnings in any
of the many ways which kept his as
sociates penniless, If not in debt He
was ambitious and frugal, and he
carried in his mind a picture of a
bluegrass" farm in a certain Ken
lucky county, where some day he
meant to raise blooded horses and go
to church on a Sunday in blue broad
cloth with silver buttons.
Since he lived straight, he was a
man of vigor and the swallow-tailed
kite was not much keener OF sight.
The other trappers called him lucky
because he went and came without
losing pelt or pack and had never
had brush with the Indians. 1t
was not luck, however, that served
him so well, but sound judgment,
clear 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 Ratchet, Jackson
managed to cross their country twice
without being seen. On the third
time, however, as he was returning
from Fort Union for the spring trap
ping, an incident happened which
had an important bearing on the most
thrilling adventure of his life.
He was in a region thickly studded
with buttes. Three or four thin col
umns Of smoke had warned him that
there were Blackfeet near, so he trav-
eled with the greatest caution. He
stepped so noiselessly that he almost
ran into a Blackfoot scout. who was
stretched on the ground at the foot
of tall. streaked butte, drinking
from tiny spring-hole.
The Indian had not heard him. He
lay drinking greedily. with his bow
by his side, completely at Jackson's
mercy. The trapper stood notion
less, thinking hard He knew that
ninety-nine men out of a hundred
would have killed the Blackfoot as
he lay. The relentless ethics of In
dian warfare did not recognize indie
cision or compassion. 1t was a case
OF Kill or fly at sight on both sides
and 1t was too late for Jackson to fly.
Somehow he could not bring him
self to Stay the scout I'm cold blood.
we'll as he knew the Indian would
not have hesitated to shoot him in
the back If the chance had offered
But 1t was necessary to insure his
own safety in some way.
SO, drawing full breath. he sud
denly sprang upon the PROSTATE fig
ure, and selling the Blackfoot's right
arm, drew it forcibly backward At
the same time he struck him q pow
erful blow in the neck.
The Blackfoot let out a cry that
was smothered by the water at hts
lips. The breath was knocked out of
him by the force with which Jack
sons knees landed i'm the small of
his back, and the violent blow on hts
neck further d9zed him. Probably
he did not know at first what had at
tackled him, whether 10 was man or
some Wild animal; but he was not
long in doubt. Rallying his scattered
senses, he began TO heave and strug-
gle frantically; but Jackson was
much the more powerful OF the two.
and he had the frightened Indian at
a disadvantage, besides. In a few
minutes he had the scouts hands
drawn behind his back and bound
with a spare bowstring from his own
culver.
Then Jackson let him up, and the
two faced each other, painting. Al
though his legs we're free, the Black
foot made no attempt 20 run awav.
His respect for the trapper's long
rifle kept him motionless. but he
glared through HIS war-paint at Jack
son, ready to meet death as became
a BlackfOot warrior.
Jackson guessed his thought and
shook his head
NO" he said. IN the others
tongue. I'm not going to kill YOU.
Perhaps I'm fool. but trapping
beaver and not shooting people Is my
business. You let me alone and III
let you alone. Understand
The Blackfoot apparently could
NOT That this solitary white man
should show mercy to a scout in the
enemy's country seemed against all
tns rules Of warfare and common