Page:The Pacific Monthly vol. 14.djvu/90



giving: and in view of the nearness of the Fourt]i of July, it was deemed appropriate to make this the occasion for a befitting demonstration of gratitude, both for past and present deliverance.

With that enthusiasm so characteristic of the Western argonaut, elaborate preparations were made to make the "National Bird" dilate his vocal organs.

There was to be a salvo at sun-up, from the village anvil, followed by a parade in the forenoon, headed by "Ike Finn" with his fiddle, and the Tomkey brothers, each with a snare drum and fife, including the volunteer fire bucket brigade with liright red shirts, and a cart Avith a dry goods box throne tastefully draped, whereon should repose a diaphanous Goddess of Liberty. Lank Peters — arrayed as Uncle Sam — was to read the Declaration of Independence after the procession arrived at the school house, which had been decorated with evergreens and fiags.

The afternoon was to be given over to games and contests for both old and young. In the evening there was to be a grand (pine) torchlight procession end- ing at the school house, where the inspiring strains of "Old Dan Tucker," "Sugar in the Corn," etc., at the hands of the inimitable Ike Finn, should invite terpsichorean revelry until midnight, when the day's festivities were to close -be- fittingly with a grand banquet served on long improvised tables against the sides of the school house.

These preparations — the luscious pies, the frosted cakes, the bakings and boil- ings and the discussion of liquid refreshments — were viewed by old "Sand-in-His- Eyes"'" and his band of dirty Siwashes — who loafed al)out the town — with Indian stoicism, but with heaven only knows how much inward turbulence of spirit.

The Indians — near two hundred — lived at a rancheria about three miles from Wilcut, and had never been known to be hostile to the settlers, coming and going at will, and were looked upon much as a village dog; sometimes employed doing chores or other light work, the compensation for which being quickly exchanged for something stronger than water.

Whether, the outbreak was a thirsty yearning, inspired by these anticipatory demonstrations, or the cropping out of the warlike instincts of their forefathers,, will never be rightly interpreted. However, a few days preceding the Fourth, old "Sand-in-His-Eyes," the tribe's medicine man, and several other "high muck-a- mucks'" went into executive session, resulting in much bonfires, dancing, howling, and savage adornment of person, and inflammatory addresses by insidious spell- binders. ...

Pumors of the bellicose doings of the despised aboriginee disturbed the good citizens of Wilcut not any, who complacently carried out their program as ar- ranged, up to the scheduled "revelry by night." In the midst of resounding boot heels, laughter, and grand right and left, there burst in among them an excited messenger with the tidings that the Indians had broken out and were headed that way, bent on a general massacre.

Lank Peters rose to the occasion, also to a table, where, like an ancient Pienzi, he quelled the rising confusion.

"Ladies and Gents," said he. "These varmints think they're goin' to take us onawares, and this is the fust point they will attack ; they'll come right in here, an' I'll fix 'em. You men, scatter fer yer shootin' irons. You Avimmin, take to the brush with yer infants. I'll do the rest."'

Without further words, he dashed out the door, mounted a cayuse, and started on a furious gallop toward town. When he returned about ten minutes later all was quiet, not a soulwas to be seen, which told him that his instructions had been obeyed.

Carefully holding an ariuful of packages, he ran into the building, which was still bright from the many burning candles. Just as the woods were echoing with war whoops, lie reappeared with a grin on his face, and with a muttered, "I reckon that'll fix 'em," slid into the dense shadows of t