Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/246



182

Early Days in Elliot Boy.

be one of the number, Mr. Campbell gave a reluctant consent.

Pat Kanim came to them the evening before they started and warned them, stating that he knew the Indians east of the mountains were preparing for an outbreak, and begged them to desist from their project. I hoped they would follow his advice, but the morning saw them start out, a merry and hopeful party of five.

They followed^the Cedar River trail, and for a few days all went well. The mild spring weather, the beautiful scen- ery, the plentitude of game, all contrib- uted to their comfort and enjoyment ; during the four days of their travel nothing had been seen or heard of the hostile Indians, and their sense of secur- ity was undisturbed.

On the fifth, day, while two of the men were walking in advance they were shot down by skulking Indians. For- tunately those behind discovered what happened in time to take to the bush ; but in the confusion Kent became sep- arated from his companions. He kept under cover of the brush till night-fall, when he started out. He inferred that his companions were safe, as he had not heard firing since the first fatal shots, but how to find them might prove a seri- ous matter. He cautiously made his way back to the trail, and to the point where the two men had fallen.

They lay there, dead and abandoned. Horror-stricken, he contemplated the situation. He must make his way back, but how? Hunger was already for- cing itself upon him, and there was but little ammunition in his pouch ; besides, the sound of firing might discover him to the enemy. The silence of the deep- ening twilight, and the awful shadow and depth of the forest had their effect on the youth, but he was too brave to succumb, easily, and the thought of the home folks spurred him on.

He retraced his steps, and for the first three hours all went well. With-

out apprehending particular danger, thought fearfully of a narrow stret where a steep bank, nearly bare, a curving so that an advance outlook co be had, would have to be traversed. Th only thing he could do was to go on. reaching the embankment he crouche down and crawled along, partially draj ging himself. Not a sound was hear for the first hundred yards, and th moonlight helped him on, when, as h was cautiously raising himself to vie the position, a frightful yell broke th night stillness ; another and anot followed, and the lad felt himself rou ly seized, and dragged along.

Great excitement prevailed amo the people at Seattle six days after t expedition's departure. There had curred a massacre up the White Ri valley, not many miles from the set ment, and people from the lower vail were coming to Seattle for protecti and safety. Measures were immediat taken for the construction of two bio forts, calculated to hold all the settlers and preparations for defense should atj tack be made.

TheCampbells lived quite at the nortl end of the settlement, and I frequent!] saw the mother moving about amonj the women from the river settlement helping here and there ; now speaking words of assurance to some not so brav< as herself ; now caring for childrei whose parents seemed to have lost al. courage and hope. I knew her hearl was heavy, for nothing had been hearc of Kent, and scouts sent out after th< expedition had returned, reporting th( death of Jamieson and Walker.

The times grew more and more troub lous. The whole White River valle) had been laid waste, and while some rid iculed the idea of an attack on the town deeming themselves too strong a power in their congregate strength, friendly Indians frequently gave warnings, and the wiser of the whites began to give anxious heed.