An "Indian Summer" Dream 



my startled gaze appeared at least a 

 million Indians, plainly approaching the 

 sleeping camp! That may sound an 

 extravagant statement, but, writing 

 seriously and after the lapse of many 

 years, I will say that this is a very 

 conservative statement as to the im- 

 pression made upon my mind at the 

 time the event occurred. 



My first impulse was to arouse the 

 other boys that they might see the 

 spectacle, and participate with open 

 eyes in whatever fate impended, but, 

 to my astonishment, I could not speak. 

 I know I tried, but only inarticulate 

 sounds escaped my lips. Moreover, I 

 found I could not move; so transfixed 

 was I with terror. Mute and motion- 

 less I sat as the Indians closed in upon 

 me. Some were in war paint; the 

 traditional eagle feathers were every- 

 where in evidence. Bows, arrows, 

 tomahawks, war clubs, knives and 

 native drums revealed that some at 

 least were on the warpath; still there 

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