Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-03-18

1t would be quite natural and alto
gether probable that they would adopt
some such course and that this strange
phenomenon that we were now witness
ing from this distant point was one OF
the preliminary moves in the plan OF
our final destruction. Whether such
was the case or not, time alone would
tell and our present anxious desire to
unveil the mystery surrounding this
strange performance and learn its hid
den meaning could only be answered in
the realm of conjecture. We fully ex-
pected something of the kind and would
only be pleasantly disappointed if such
were not the case.
/ When within few miles of the Hills
Gordon and Uncle Newt. rode ahead for
the purpose of locating the trail where
Custer had come out of the Hills in
July. There we're large herds of ante
lope along here, but the long gentle
slopes made it quite impossible to get
within range of them and it was against
our established rule since passing the
Bad River, to shoot only in case of actual
necessity. These herds did not seem to
extend out more than 10 miles or 30
from the Hills. They were like focks
Of sheep and at this time of year con-
gregate in droves of 300 or 400. Some
were lying down, others feeding around,
while others were on guard on some
prominent knoll near by. 1t is seldom
one of these herds can be surprised, as
they most invariably have a sentinel out
in some conspicuous place, that warns
them of any approaching danger.
They are much shorter legged than the
deer, but are by far the feetest of the
two animals. While the deer make high
graceful leaps into the air and thereby
loose time in its forward movement, the
antelope runs close to the ground with
short quick jumps. Gordon and Uncle
Newt. came into the train toward even
ing, bringing an antelope with them.
They also brought the welcome news
that they had discovered Clusters trail.
This was cheering for several reasons
According to Clusters report there is an
impenetrable wall with but few breaks
in it along the Eastern Hills and in find.
ing the road we were at once given an
entrance; road already made and
sure guide to the point we had in view,
Clusters Park. We camped out about
five miles from where the trail left the
Hills, on a small stream of water that
came from the Hills. Being our last
camp out on the open prairie, the most
of US felt great relief.
1t was the 9th of December and the
weather was all that could be wished,
just cool enough for travelling and not
particle of snow, generally calm, beauti-
full and sunshiny weather. But it cer-
tsinly would not continue so always and
we felt as though it would have to be a
terrible blizzard now to prevent US
reaching the shelter of the hills and
timber. With this dread off our minds
I am quite sure all went into camp with
the angel of hope more securely en-
throned than at any other time. A feel
ing of security at least from storms that
had for sometime been stranger in the
camp was our guest tonight.
We we're going to start in the morning
as soon as it was light enough to travel
and take our breakfast and an early
dinner at the same time, in the Hills.
We generally cooked pot of beans at
night when the supply of wood was suf-
ficient to permit the luxury of FIRE
during the evening. Bean soup and
crackers, with piece Of pork boiled in
it, was dish relished by most of us
and was used by most messes for at
least one meal day. Whit. had put
some beans on in the camp kettle as he
started supper, but they did not get done
until late. Harry and l were chatting
by the fire and watching the beans when
Whit. called out from bis bed in the
tent and said the beans must be done
and to remove them from the fire, if we
found them to be tender.
This we did and had scarcely done so
when the hound, Dan, darted up like a
fash and went in the pot after the meat
Of course it was red-hot He gave a
yelp of surprise and paved at his nose,
but he had scarcely got his nose out oi
the pot when 1 fred blazing fire-brand
after him. 1t was very dark and the
shower of sparks seemed to add to hii
fright and bewilderment and he howled
and bounded sideways, landing agains,
our tent. But before he had extricated
himself from the guy-ropes of the TEN
and had his bearings, Harry had sen
another burning ember after him. Thii
last shot seemed to settle it in Dam
mind that the fire line was getting to,
hot for him and in his bewilderment al
avenues of escape seemed to be closed
He leaped and howled with fright ant
finally rushed through the front of ou
tent, the flap of which hung loose ant
landed on Whit's bed and against tn
rear end of the tent. There was an
other roar-this time from Whit. "Ge
> out! What in hi are you boys doinI
out there anyway~ He had retired
, but short time before and as he said
, was trying to get little sleep, but if VI
kept up that Internal racket he Nigh
as well try to sleep in cyclone o
among pack of wolves. 1t was al
. over in minute, except Whit's grum
t bling; and an examination proved tina
0 Dan had not secured the coveted piec
of meat.
ITO be Continued.l