Glacier County chief., 1939-04-28

barreled shotgun sawed off short, and
also with bow and quiver of arrows
within six inches of our mems heads,
and would draw their bows back to the
arrowheads, placing them directly
against the mems breasts. This state
of things continued for several hours,
and until some of our mems anger be-
gan to get the best of them, particu-
larly Watkins and Bostwick, who had
been in Indian fights before, and were
not disposed to wait any longer before
commencing the fray with them, and
in fact all of us, believed would have
to begin sooner or later.
Quiet Finally Restored
Finally one of the Indians fired his
gun close over Watkins head, who had
just said he did not intend to wait for
orders any longer, and. almost SIM
ultaneously with the Indians firing
Watkins went for his revolver, but, for
tunately, an Indian standing directly
behind him. quickly threw a buffalo
robe over his head and claSped it about
his arms and body. This only eXasper
ated Watkins, and when released by
the other men, who instantly rushed
up and slung the Indian off, he swore
he would wait no longer, and several
of the other men seemed to agree with
him, and were upon the eve of COM
mencing the fight, when at this juno
ture I ran up to the captain and ex-
citedly told him that unless something
was done Immediately. the shooting
would start without orders or concert
of action.
He told me to tell our men to keep
cool, and wait till he began the fight.
or gave orders to begin. And turning to
the chief, he told him. in a peremptory
tone, to order his men to come out from
among the horses and tents and keep
quiet. The chief, who instantly saw
men to drop their guns for both
parties were in an attitude of battle).
which they did, and quieted down and
gathered around the camp fire.
Our men also cooled down and be-
gan preparing for the night, and as it
was now p. m, talk broke up. AS the
chiefs kept close watch upon our cap
tain's movements he thought it best
not to give his orders to the men di-
rect but quietly told me to tell them
that at daylight we would saddle our
riding horses first, and get them ready
and then if the Indians attempted to
take possession of our packs or pack
horses, we would turn loose on them,
kill as many as we could, and then
mount our horses and strike into the
mountains toward Fort Benton, thus
getting a good start on them before
those who escaped could go and arouse
the main camp -
Indians BothersOme
With a double guard posted, the
prospectorS turned in. Indians wan
dered around the camp all night, and
to rush out of his tent to recover
something an Indian had stolen from
under the canvas wall
When the party began to pack up
next morning the Indians proceeded
to forcibly trade horses. Stuart gave
the matter only few words Again it
is HauSer who tells the story:
Our captain thus briefly describes
one of the most daring acts ever per-
formed by any man. An act of cool
Self-poSSeSSion and bravery rarely If
ever, equaled: one that has forever
after fixed him in the hearts and ad-
miration of his little band of men, and
to which, in my opinion, they owed
their lives. And know that from that
hour the very men who, the day be-
fore, had been complaining of what
they believed to be his timidity, looked
upon him as hero of undoubted cour-
While the Indians forcibly effected
their trades Stuart passed among his
men and told them to be ready for
trouble-to keep close watch and do
as do. and for your lives don't fire
until my gun goes Off" For a quarter
of an hour he went about the business
of packing and directing the work of
the men as though nothing were amiss.
Then. maneuvering the principal chief
off to himself. Stuart called a sharp
look out!" to his men. He covered the
chiefs heart with his rifle. and every
man covered an Indian. Like a flash
they dropped their robes and revealed
guns pointed at the white men. The -,
impasse continued for several minutes.
There were two Indians to every white
man. They all looked to their chief for
instructions. But they found that if
anyone made an over move their chief
would die
Indians Give Way
"Signal your warriors off or I will
send you to your last hunting ground!"
Stuart ordered the chief, who hesitat-
ed and was lost. He dropped his eyes,
then signaled his braves to lower their
weapons, and they sullenly sought their
ponies.
Two of the chiefs asked to accom-
pany the party to the next camp: this |
was allowed. The men had breakfast, |
giving the remains to the Indians, who |
were then ordered away.