The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-10-19

to take the lead and Mrs. Cowan, her
sister, and couple of the other party
to come next in the surrey, while he
on horseback would ride close to the
women folks to protect them from
harm.
Indians in Force
AS he gave the command to start
band of about seventy-five mounted
Indians rode out from the brush and
| formed in line in front of the bag
gage wagon, each with his horse fac
ing in the direction of the wagon and
with the butt of his rifle resting upon
his leg and held in his right hand.
Cowan turned to the Indian who had
been doing the talking and told him
that if he had any authority over
these mounted Indians to tell them
to get away and let the wagons pass.
If not, no doubt some of them would
be hurt because he was becoming
disguised with the way they were
acting. At this time he heard a
movement behind him and turning
saw two mounted Indians, one who
was in the act of giving command
by sign language. Mr.. Cowan turn
ed and looked at the mounted band
and each Indian had changed the
position of his gun until it was now
resting across in front of him. Think
ing that these two Indians had some
authority he made the remark to
them that if they were in charge of
those Indians to ask them to get
away from in front of the wagons. |
Following this remark the Indian |
motioned his hand toward the other |
mounted Indian, remarking 'Me
Looking-G him Joseph" At this
junction Charley spoke up and said,
1--WE have talked enough, we are go
ing to make you people go with u.s."
Cowan and his party started out
with their wagons and proceeded on
the trail probably half or three-quar-
tiers of a mile when the trail became
to take the wagons over.
Here the horses we're embarrassed
and the party, mounted upon them,
proceeded on their journey. After
a journey of perhaps ten miles they
arrived at small stream now known
as Nez Perez Greek. Here the party
joined the entire tribe which had
gone into camp for dinner. The cap
lives were herded together in q small
clearing surrounded by the entire
party of Indians. Seven of the prin-
,ipal chiefs came forward and squat
led near the party. At this time
Poker Joe, a chief, acting as inter
prefer for them, questioned Cowan
very closely as to where they were
rom and what they were doing in
hat country. Cowan answered his
questions as best he could.
Indians Propose Trade
After lot of talking they were in
ormed that if they would give up
that they had, including
5owan's gun and their fresh horses,
hat the Indians would give them an
qual number of worn-out horses and
would set them at liberty, explaining
hat while the horses they would give
hem were pretty badly worn out they
would carry them to the settlements
efore they starved. He talked it .
yer with the rest of his party, tell
ng them that he was satisfied that
e would be able to get only one shot
ut felt sure that he would kill at
east five Indians as they were sit
ing so close together. Mrs. Cowan '
egged him not to do it, saying that L
would be very little satisfaction @
nd that if he did so the entire party E
-ould be killed Immediately. Poker
oe stated that many of the young q
len had lost friends and relatives in T.
lie fight at the Big Hole, short time
efore and we're very angry and :.
anted to kill them and in case they