Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-02-15
A Tale Of Adventures ON
An Indian Reservation


not return Until tanQcIvyu anu the
commissioners had left for the agency.
That evening he drew up the legal
notices required In the posting OF q
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 a 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 60 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 fidgeting 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. 1t was he, and
not Vandervyn, who was looked upon
with suspicion by the crowd. Soon
there was h gathering Of a mobilize
group, that rumbled awhile, and ended
by presenting itself before Hardy al
a committee Of inquiry.
"You been agent ut this here reser
vation," explained their spokesman
1--WE want to know if you've got .
frame-up to have some Teller meet 70,
with your pack animals over in thu
mountains"
NO" replied Hardy. "There ar
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 I
man who had been drinking.
"The same Is true Of several amonl
you," Hardy rejoined.
One of the cowboys who was includ
ed in this remark called back resonant
ly: you've been into the mountains
l bet you blue chip you've got goo'
prospect spotted, ready for branding.
II am not making any BETS" SAT-
Hardy. "You haze heard all know
about the trail. Mr.. Vandervyn ha
made the trip several times. He wa
with me during the one trip I made
have no objection to your questioning
him about it."
There was some muttering over this
But Hardy's manner was so cool ant
quiet that the incipient mob left him
and struggled over to where Wander
vyn had hired an expert to throw tn
diamond hitch on his ridiculous pack
Hardy turned his back on them, ant
set to grooming the satiny coat OF hi
mare. His unconcern was well found
ed. Whatever means vandervyn USED
they were sufficient to satisfy tn
crowd. The muttering soon ceased
and the men dispersed.