The Tomahawk., 1917-02-22
A Tale Of Adventures on
An Indian Reservation

VAN
commissioners had left for the agency.
That evening he drew up the legal
notices required in the posting OF a
mining claim, and paid three or four
of the older prospectors to check them
for errors. To all who inquired, he
described the trail by which he had
gone into the mountains, and frankly
stated that he knew of none other
that led to the nearest Of the four
prominent peaks which had been
named as the corners Of the mineral
land boundary.
The rest of the evening and most OF
the following day he spent in groom
ing his mare. He gave her no grass
and little water, but good allowance
Of oats. Both morning and afternoon
he took her out for short rides up the
coulee, and each time repeatedly
climbed and descended the bank. He
did not cross over to the reservation
side, much less go to the agency.
The day set for the opening dawned
still and clear, with the promise of
burning heat by noon.
After breakfast the more uneasy
spirits began wandering about the
camp or fdgeting with their packs.
Nearly all the older and more expert
enced men gave their ponies feed Of
oats, and stretched out to lounge In
the shade Of their tents.
Two hours before the time set for
the start Vandervyn appeared, and
crossed over to the camp. he was
riding his pinto and leading pack
pony. When the old prospectors saw
his heavy pick and shovel and large,
poorly dashed pack Of food and bed
ding, they cracked many dry jokes on
the grand chances of the tenderfoot.
Their own picks and shovels were as
light as such tools could be made with
out impairing their efficiency, and
their packs were as lean as Wander
vyn's pack was swollen.
Hardy alone OWNED the deceptive
mockery of his rivals cumbersome dis
play. But he was bound by his word
and could say nothing. It was he, and
not Vandervyn, who was looked upon
with suspicion by the crowd. Soon
there was a gathering of mobilize
group, that rumbled awhile, and ended
by presenting itself before Hardy as
a committee of inquiry.
'You been agent at this here reser-
vation," explained their spokesman.
1--WE want to know if you've got a
frame-up to have some Teller meet you
with your pack animals over In the
mountains"
NO." replied Hardy. "There are
four days rations in my saddlebags.
A poncho is all one needs in sleeping
before a fire this time Of year."
''You amt got no TOOLS" criticized a
man who had been drinking.
"The same is true Of several among
you," Hardy rejoined.
One of the cowboys who was includ-
ed in this remark called back resonant
ly: "You've been into the mountains.
1 bet you blue chip you've got good
prospect spotted, ready for branding"
81 am not making any BETS" said
Hardy. "You have heard all know
about the trail. Mr.. Vandervyn has
made the trip several times. He was
with me during the one trip I made.
I have no objection to your questioning
him about it."
There was some muttering over this.
But Hardy's manner was so cool and
quiet that the incipient mob left him,
and struggled over to where Wander
vyn had hired an expert to throw the
diamond hitch on his ridiculous pack.
Hardy turned his back on them, and
set to grooming the satiny coat Of his
mare. His unconcern was well found
ed. Whatever means Vandervyn used,
they were sufficient to satisfy the
crowd. The muttering soon ceased,
and the men DISPERSED