SURPRISE FOR THE REDSKINS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 17, 21 January 1939, Page 10

SURPRISE FOR THE REDSKINS

(The Story of a Boy's Adventures.)

ALL day 16ng the faint throb of war drums had been heard in the little township. Everybody's nerves were on edge. Messages had come through telling that vast gatherings of Indians in the distant hills were preparing to swoop down on the settlement. Eiders had been sent to jummon help from the neighbouring towns, but it would take time—and the Indians might attack at any hour. "Coo, look at them!" Perched in a tree high above the cluster of shacks, young Dick stared out across the wide plains. He had been told to keep a look out for Indians, but so far he had seen nothing—except an enormous herd of wild buffalo moving in a black mass across the grassland. "The biggest herd I've seen yet!" Dick muttered to himself. "I'd like to " He stiffened, hearing a soft rustle in the bushes. Glancing down, Dick saw a figure creeping towards the ridge that overlooked the township. An Indian on the prowl! ' . , With swift fingers, Dick unhitched his lasso. He poised himself for a moment, flung the noose with unerring aim. Just as the Indian was peeping into the valley below, the rope fell over his head and shoulders. ' "Caught him!" With a triumphant cry, Dick slithered from his bough. : "You're coming with me, my fine fellow!" he said to the scowling, helpless Indian. " Dick marched his prisoner down the slope and over to where the sheriff stood talking anxiously to one of his posse. ' • ... -• "Say, Mr. Oakley, look what I've roped in!" saiig out Dick. "A Redskin!" "Good for you, youngster!" smiled the sheriff, and then he signed to his man to take the Indian into his office. "I'll have a word with that Redskin!'* he muttered. v Little Dick waited outside the office while the spy was being questioned. Ten minutes later the sheriff reappeared. ' ' > "What did he say?" asked Dick. " "I've found out where the Redskins are collecting," replied the sheriff. "They are holding their war dance in Vulture Canyon." ; The place of which the sheriff spoke wa,s a deep gulch leading into thY hills, and lay about an hour's ride from the township. • r ' "Can't we attack them," suggested Dick,, "now we know where they are?" "Steady on, youngster!" grunted the sheriff, "This man, White Bear, say» the Redskins number well nigh a thousand. We wouldn't stand a chance against them." But just as the worried sheriff was turning away, Dick called out: ! - "Mr. Sheriff, don't go!" Dick pulled him down on to a log bench, and then began to talk excitedly, outlining a plan *to the sheriff, r r t That evening, when the sun was going down, the sheriff led his possa out from the settlement. Among'them was Dick, his face radiant with th<3 thrill of the venture. •, * On one side, from Vulture Canyon, came the unceasing beat of the war drums. Ahead of the posse was the herd of buffalo, grazing and drinking. '' "Remember the orders, lads!" said the sheriff, as the party rode on. "You're to head off the buffalo and drive thetn towards Vulture Canyon."; When they came within sight of the resting herd the men spread out, firing their revolvers in the air. Slowly at first, then faster and faster, they drove the buffalo before them. Meanwhile, the Redskin hordes had seen the approaching danger—a sight which struck fear to their hearts. Many of them raced away through the canyon, the rest clambered up its steep sides—anything to escape the stampede. ■.■.-.■ '■■'•'" : ■ •■■■, .•■-■:". -, . ". ;r v ■ 1 Then, sending up a great cloud of dust, the maddened buffalo surged into the > canyon, trampling down everything in their way. And after the her x d had passed through, not a thing remained but the pounded wrecks of wigwams, the broken weapons, and the crushed fires. ~ "I reckon that's scattered them!" chuckled the sheriff. "It; will take them, a day or so to get together again, and by then we shall have all the help we want. It was a mighty fine idea of yours, son!" ' " And he smiled at Dick, who felt that this,was the greatest day of his young life. ■ ' .■.-■..'■ • . -■• '. ■ :. .. ■■■ ■:■:■'