OCR Text |
Show 86 INDIAN DEPREDATIONS very saucy and impudent. On inquiring why we had changed herd- ground, the boys began loading their guns, which caused the Indians to cool down, the Indians went off a short distance to consult to-gether. Soon three of them started for the field in the direction of the cattle, and in a few minutes James W. Hunt started with a lariat to get lois horse. Char-les, a son of Suit- Sub- Soc- Its or St. John, followed him on horse- back ; he kept telling him to go ahead of him, asking what he was afraid of, Hunt kept turn-ing his head occasionally towards him, as though being apprehensive of danger, they got nearly a mile from the fort when Charles told him to look at the stock. He did so, raising himself on tip- toe. That instant Charles shot him, then shouted to an-other Indian, not far off, to run and take the horses. The ball entered Hunt's back, ranging downward about one and a half inches from the back bone, on the left side, and four inches from the small of the back. This happened about half past twelve o ' clock. Ephraim Wight and Sheldon B. Cutler were herding the stock. The Indians left and went across the river, Cutler came to the fort on horse- back and told what had happened. President Billings jumped on behind him. Peter Stubbs followed, and while John Clark and another followed with water and re-turned to the fort, Clinton Williams started on horse back after the stock. The boys carried Hunt in a blanket; but before they got within one fourth of a mile of the fort, the Indians re- crossed the river and came charging towards the boys and stock, rais-ing a war whoop. Wm. M. Sterrett, Sheldon B. Cut-ler and Clark A. Huntington acted as rear guard to the boys who were carrying Hunt and fired upon |