Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1911-03-11


five of US took picks, shovels and pals
and went to work. We had to sprinkle
the ice with dirt to prevent the oxen
slipping. In the meantime the rest of
the party was looking after their guns
and ammunition and preparing general
ly TO meet an attack.
With the exception of two or three a
casual observer would naturally think
the party was preparing to meet a com.
pany of friends on pleasure grounds on
the opposite side of the river instead of
the relentless savage. All were cheer
ful and on the alert, forgetting nothing
that would be necessary in case of an at
tack. We had started out fully expect
ing to be compelled to fight Indians.
We had been on the road 30 long, had
miracuiously slipped through without
even seeing any until now and believe
the prospect of fight sent thrill Of
pleasure instead of dread through the
party and like the Spartans of old am
sure if compelled to this little band would
| have met the foe with a cool, cheerful
determination that is always difficult to
defeat.
AS soon as we completed the crossing
l ran back to my wagon to replenish my
supply of ammunition. AS l passed
BlackwelPs mess he was standing at bis
mess box that was fastened on the rear
end of the wagon and as supposed TAX
ing lunch and I said, "Well Black you
are not going into the fight hungry" AS
l said this in jesting manner he held
out large sheath knife that he was
carefully sharpening and with a coun-
tenance so extremely sad that the very
presence of levity seemed like sacrilege
and in voice SO infinitely respondent
said, "this is the last resort" Black
we'll was undoubtedly determined to sell
himself as dearly as possible and die in
the last ditch.
After crossing the river and filling our
water kegs we moved out on level fiat
at the mouth of the creek. Here five
Indians came in sight. They had come
from up the river quite distance, for
their fat ponies were feck with foam,
having been run all the way. They ad-
vanced to within hundred yards of us
and halted, one of them rode up to us
and in his deep gutteral voice said
"How, How" He presented dirty
well worn paper from some Indian agent
that gave his name as the Chief White
Elk.
He was a man of more than fifty at
the time. 1t was near noon 30 we turn
ed out for dinner. The Indians watch
ed our cooking with considerable inter-
est, especially the turning of the slap
jacks and smiled their approval when
We made some difficult catches in the
wind.
They could not speak any English but
were experts at sign talking and could
readily make you understand anything
they wished to communicate in that
way. For instance, when the young
buck that dined with our mess wished
US to understand that he had eaten all
he wanted, he simply patted his plethoric
stomach and uttered a deep significant
ugh. We did little trading with them
by exchanging sugar and tobacco for
moccasins. After short stop we nov
ed on up the creek, leaving the Indians
in camp. But they did not remain long
after our departure, returning as they
had come, on the run. They told US
they were moving, that their families
were up the river where We had first
discovered them.
We spent the afternoon following this
creek bottom or valley for near it we
had wood, water and feed in abundance,
while the high table land as far as we
had been able to see, contained neither.
1t was about the second of December,
the weather was fine, the travelling good,
considering that We were making our
own roads. We made good drive and
went into camp in good season. Moth.
ing more was seen of the Indians, but
we were keenly on the alert for any
surprises. We rather expected them to
try to stampede and get away with our
stock. The loss of even a few head
would seriously retard our movements.
We went into camp back quite a dis
tance from the timber along the creek
and herded the stock quite near the
camp.
During the night Black well and Boyle
were on herd duty together. There was
just sufficient light to discern objects at
a distance of hundred yards or more.
As they were moving about carefully
scanning the herd and its surroundings,
paying close attention to all unfamiliar
sounds or shadowy forms, Black vel
made the startling announcement tc
Johnny that they were completely sur
rounded by Indians, that he had beer
watching the shadowy forms for som'
time and he could plainly see them slow
| ly but surely creeping closer and closer
Johnny laughed at him and told him h'
could not see moving object other thar
the ponies and oxen. But Blackwell
could still see their dusky forms glidini
here and there and stealthily closing il
on every side. Finally to prove to hin
that it was only imagination Johnny toll
him to point out one that was the mos
conspicuous and he would 60 and brin
him in. Finally one of the most DARN
of the advance guard was pointed out an
Johnny walked straight out to 1t an
called for Black we'll to come and see TO