Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1941-12-27


Of jawbone with four teeth fastened
to it.
Joe and Bob LED him into the room
which was also the general bedroom
fixed him as comfortable as they could
and then returned to the store for
a consultation.
What was to be done? Pike would
undoubtedly die unless he got surgical
attention quickly and there appeared
no very easy way to get that We had
traded for 10 horses the night before
and we had only four others with
us; but they were not In sight and
we could not go out hunting for them
with the Indians lowering about watt
ing to get a shot at us. The horses
had been in a corral, but it was not
very secure. Perhaps the Indians had
let them out. Anyhow, they were gone
We had another herd Of about so
running out-generally down the creek
but not a hoof was in sight. Per-
haps the Indians had them too.
After a consultation we decided
that one man must guard the fort and
be ready to treat with the Indians
if an opportunity offered. That was
clearly a job for Joe, and Joe only.
Another must take care of Pike and
the third must try to reach medical
assistance. Bob offered to do the nurs-
ing so I was left to get a surgeon
from Fort Maginnis, where the near
est one was located.
Went to RieI for Help
Then we discussed how I should
get out to look for a horse and how
was to get away provided I found
an animal I could ride. 1t was de-
cided I should take a half-breed pad
saddle that was hanging up In the
store-it weighed five pounds-and an
Indian rawhide lariat rope, some two
pounds of dried meat In my pockets
and make a dash for the brush on
the south side of the creek. The brush
was dense and ran down the creek
for several miles. Once in 1t one could,
by following certain courses known
only to few Of us, go four or five
miles without coming into view. The
plan was to keep to the brush unless
I found the horses; if found them
to catch the best one / could, throw
on the saddle, use the lariat for
bride and ride out in the open so
Joe could see me and know that I
was mounted. II I did not find the
horses was to make my way as best
I could to half-breed camp at the
mouth of Mcdonald creek, IS miles
below, and there get a mount.
This half-breed camp was presided
over by Louis Riel, who was afterward
hanged as a rebel by the Canadian
government, and who, let me say, was
D fine looking, well educated and
courteous man. Whether found a
horse before reaching there was to
arrange with Riel to send IS men
10 succor the fort, secure companion
for my journey and get fresh mount.
The camp was little south Of east |
Of the trading post and Fort Maginnis |
was almost directly northwest. From |
the camp was to go as directly as
possible across country to the fort.
'I succeeded in reaching the brush
and about a mile and a half from
she post I found the horses In little
clearing. The snow was about 10 inches
ieep and easily found them by their
racks I was particularly fortunate in |
a horse of my own that |
very much wished. With him I knew |
[ had everything in my favor. had |
l good start Of the Indians, to begin |
With, even If they did see me and |
iollow, and I did not believe they had
! horse that could catch me.
81 was soon in the saddle and rode
put into the open in plain sight of /
he post, and waved my cap in the
air. Then 1 started down the creek.
rhe snow was deep In places and once
" twice my horse went down and
lad to get off, but managed to reach
2iels camp about noon without see
ng an Indian; in fact I question
whether they even knew I had left
he post. The breed camp was COM
,osed Of about 100 log cabins and in
.ach Of them there was a family, and
n some of them, two, so that it was
ute a settlement.
| Trip OF TribuIati0ns
II Immediately presented the sit
lation to them, but it was not until
oclock-and then only by Riel's ar
zlments-that they were brought to
gree to the relief of the unlucky fort.
wen then it took them three hours
o get ready so that it was O'Clock
efore they started in one direction,
nd I, with my companion, In the
ther. The latter was q voluble breed
rho could 'cuss' nuently IN English,
ut could not get beyond that. 1t was
4 miles to Fort Maginnis and the
thermometer had gone down to 20
elow-So that any companion was
etter than none. at midnight we ar
lyed at ChamberIain's. There we
hanged horses and went on to the
ort, arriving there at 4 o'clock.
Getting breakfast, we we're ready
D start back again at 1850. We would
ave started before but the doctor
ranted to wait until daylight. In fact,
q appeared very much opposed 70
DING &C all, and my patience was
ever more sorely tried than 1t was
nat day by the army doctor, astride
Is big, fat government horse, which
ever seemed to go faster than a walk.