Page:Don Coronado through Kansas.djvu/382

365 A HOT PORStJIT. 365 nnmber at the paddles, and a few hours af terTPar^ tile oanoes are met, aad transferring the stick man to a craft, propelled by a dozen paddles, he Sirrives that evemiig at the village of the Tjittle Osages near Malta Bend. Qn and on^ swiftly sped the canoes with our two young men resting in the bottom, and in a few hours the point where the affray was enacted beiug reached, all was verified regarding the enemy. But the ques- tion next arose as to the best direction to take, and after considerable discussion Wasbashas insisted that he would like to go down the river, as a surmise was that the party would take a circuitous route to get, back home; so he and his friends are allowed to make a party of a dozen in a fine large canoe, they first hiding their own so as to have it on their return. It transpired that our young braves had guessed right, for the reckless five had no idea it was possible for a party to reach them in so short a time and had left unmistakable signs; so the craft is moored and hot pursuit is inaugurated,, for the five Padoucas can only be a few hours in the lead; and at last they are overtaken to their horror and surprise, for they had been taMng it quite leisurely, and upon seeing the advancing party the leader ordered every man to take care for himself. So now a race for dear life took place. Wasbashas and his friend conclud- ed to keep together, and happened to select one of the rusners who shot away from the others at a fearful rate, but owing to the great strain of the night before in running ninety miles in abput twelve hours, he soon was left behind; but our young Osage brave has