"The Land of Silent Shadows" Part III Written by Catherine Savage Pulsipher; originally typed & arranged by Mabel Boyd Royal-Steen; typed & transcribed by Larry Spurling; arranged & compiled on the Stump Ranch, Dan Royal ©

"White Man Steal White Squaw"

      As the Christmas Season drew near, everyone was wracking their brain to think up a gift. Money was scarce, as well as materials, so there was very little choice. Some little homemade gift would have to answer the purpose. Of course there would be a tree, and a backwoods Banquet.
      The gay Maggie taught Fanny to dance and also the Shy Sidney, Andy was good at the art already, and so far, their games and dancing were confined to the storehouse above the Tool shed where the youngsters met now and then and made merry, but this was to be a real affair, with violin music and caller and all, so the young folks talked of nothing else.
      Maggie had received a new dress from far off relatives, but Fanny had to wear a dress of old time sugar sack material, bleached showy white and trimmed with lace and ruffles. They were all primed up to wear their finery. In the meantime, they were working on their gifts. Maggie was knitting Andy a pair of wool socks, and Fanny was working on a quilt for Sidney.
      Finally the big day arrived, and the tree set up in the Savage house, as it was large and roomy. Many handmade toys and tinfoil trimmings adorned the tree, also red rosehips and white pidgeon berries were string and hung on the branches. Molasses taffy and popcorn balls were made the day before and put under the tree with gifts. No one peeked, but there was much guessing and giggling from the girls. The tree itself, reigned in its last glory, for soon it would be tossed over the riverbank. After the Xmas feast, George and Alex Boyd were tuning up their violins, and everyone getting ready with the boys choosing their partners, and the children all standing in corners, looking with interest, and wishing for the time when they could join the merry dancers.
      It was during an intermission that Andy got up the courage to ask Maggie to marry him. There was no mistletoe to get under when he kissed her, but the Cedar boughs and sword ferns did equally as well. They made plans to be married in the spring. "How are we going to arrange this?" said Maggie, "you know Pa will never consent." "We will have to find a way," said Andy, so the only ones who knew their plans were Sidney and Fanny and they kept quiet. Sidney would have given a lot to be able to propose to Fanny, but he was still a poor homesteader, and what little he earned went to make improvements on is place, so instead he held her close as they danced together, hoping that she'd understand and wait for him.
      Sweet sixteen may not understand, but wait she did anyway, and Maggie kept helping now and then in the cook house, going home nights listening to her mother fret and nag, and scolding at every one about her.
      Spring was nearing and Maggie and Andy were making plans to marry, but just how to arrange it, they didn't know. "We see no other way than to elope," she told Fanny. "Oh, no" Fanny said, "they'll catch you sure as you're born." "I don't care," Maggie said, "it's the only way."
      While at supper that night, Andy lingered until most of the boarders had eaten and gone, then when Maggie came to fill his coffee cup, he nudged her saying low, "meet me at the cottonwoods tonight." Maggie let him know that she understood, then went on to fill the next cup.
      After the long table was cleared, and the work done, Maggie walked home. Slipping off her apron, and arranging her hair, she started to go out the door. "Now where do you think you're going" her mother stormed, "you're never home anymore, and I never get a bit of work out of you anymore. I slave from morning till night, and what thanks do I get?"
      "Oh shut up Ma," Maggie said, "It will be a happy day when I get away from this place forever. All of my life, I've heard nothing but your nagging and jawing. I've worked and helped you with the young'uns all of my life," so with the last flung words, she went out, slamming the door behind her. She made her way to the riverbank, where she could sit unseen and think, until Andy could get away quietly from the bunkhouse.
      The sweet smell of the cottonwoods just budding out was in the air, and the birds just returning from their long trip from the south, were twittering, and getting settled for the night in the branches above. A full moon sent its rays dancing and shimmering on the ripples of the river, giving the evening a romantic effect. She had not waited long, before she heard his footsteps, and he settled beside her.
      They talked over the pros and cons of their marriage and decided that the only thing for them to do was to elope. Friday morning early was the time planned for the big break, they'd be back for Andy to be at work Monday So Maggie, getting her best dress ready and her shoes greased with meat rind, and polished with a soft cloth 'till they shone, she donned both and quietly sneaked out the window before daylight Friday morning. Andy was there to meet her, and they climbed into the canoe, and paddled furiously heading for Mount Vernon. Luck was against them however, for an Indian just getting back from a hunting trip in the hills, saw Andy rushing Maggie to the canoe, and thinking that he was stealing the girl, ran to the mill notifying everyone in camp saying; "White man steal white squaw, Go in canoe, come quick." Maggie's father looked in her room and she was gone, so he got this Indians to go with him, to fetch her back. They both jumped in the canoe, and paddled desperately, they finally overtook the couple, as two at the paddles could travel faster.
      When he overtook them, he called Andy everything he could think of, and threatened to skin Maggie alive. Andy didn't take it gracefully and said; "You damned old reprobate you, If you had given your consent, we wouldn't have to run away, and if you lay a hand on Maggie, I'll brain you with this canoe paddle. Her Father said nothing more, and they all paddled back upriver, Maggie in tears, and Andy disappointed and angry.
      There was quite a gathering at the Savage place when they reached there, and the elopers hated to face the crowd. Maggie made for her house, and Andy braved the storm alone. Maggie's mother was in ears and gave her husband a raking over, and for once took Maggie's part, saying "You stubborn old fool you, if you hadn't been so strict, they wouldn't have ran off. When all was talked over, the decision was that the parents gave their consent, and next day, they all went to Mount Vernon to attend the wedding. Of course some of the glamour was gone, yet the couple seemed happy.

FOUL DEEDS

      When Jimmi Mann married Sukie, he built a nice little house for her. Altho he was an Indian, he tried to copy the white people's ways. While he was building it, Sukie said that she liked it, but when it was done, she wouldn't live in it, and no persuasion could change her mind. She moved in, but she moved right out again so her nice house stood vacant, while she dried her fish and made her reed mats in her Kluskie.
      Jimmi did not know what to do, so he went along with her wishes, but it took all of the money that Jimmi could rake up to build it. When Andy and Maggie came back from their wedding, they made arrangements to buy the house, so Jimmi's efforts were not all lost.
      One day Sukie and some other Indian girls cross the river in their Canoes, to see of the Boston Marys (meaning white girls) would go picking Wild Blackberries with them. The Indian women feared the "Silent Shadows" of the forest, believing that "Puss Puss" would leap upon them from hanging limbs, but would not harm the Boston Marys, so felt safe with them along. The Squaws knew where the nicest berries grew and were glad to go, so they with their pails and woven baskets, sought out across the logging works. They spent a happy rewarding day and filled their containers. At the river, the little Squaws parted, each going to their own Kluskie. As Sukie neared her door, she shrank back in terror as a feeling of dread assailed her, for none other that Old Bone was lounging there. She would have fled, but he stepped in her path with what he thought was a friendly smile, which looked to be only an ugly smirk, but not hostile however. This gave the girl courage, and her native courtesy bade her made him welcom. He made it understood that he came to see her husband on friendly business.
      When Jimmi Mann arrived shortly after, he also shrank at the sight of the renegade talking to his wife, but Bone calmed his fears at once, after hearing of the offer that Bone had made him, for out of a dirty tobacco pouch, Bone poured a stream of gold nuggets and gold dust into his hand saying: "I'm getting too old and I do not like facing the hardships alone." He said, and my secret is too valuable to share with anyone. "But me know you honest, so I want you go help, I give you Gold." Jimmi was eager to accept, altho Sukie cried; "You no go, Bone bad man, he kill you, You stay, Sukie need you." But the sensation was too much, and in spite of his natural distrust, the temptation was too much. So with the glory of fortune dazzleing him, he made ready that very night and left with Bone. "Don't do, don't go" wailed Sukie, as they paddled away, but he paid little attention, and feeling that he could take care of himself.
      Before he left, however, he swore Sukie to secrecy, and to tell those who asked, that he had gone Bear hunting. It seemed strange, people thought, which he would so suddenly revert to the shiftiness of his tribe, but since he had, they'd get along at the mill as best they could.
      Two weeks went by, and Jimmi's half brother Paul, who was older, went to work at the mill. His name was Paul Jeuses, and he was the only one that Sukie told of Jimmi's whereabouts. Paul was openly uneasy, and his fears were well founded.
      After Bone and Jimmi paddled their way far up the Skagit, camping one night on a bar where a tribe of Indians were, then continued on from there, with haste, in fear someone else jump their claim. When at last the tiresome journey was over, they beached their canoe, and climbed up a trail, 'till they came to Bones camp, which was not far from the claim.
      This was a pretty place, where a cold spring bubbled from beneath a boulder, and the tall trees whispered in the breeze. The cool crisp air from the Cascades, save the tang of fall, and the feeling of briskness. After about a month of washing gold, they had a pretty good stake between them, so after supper one night as they sat around the campfire talking, and smoking, and watching the sparks of the fire snapping and drifting away into the purple shadows of the night, while the big full moon was raising from behind the snowcap peaks, Bone said; "We got much gold, Now we go, soon heap big water when rain come. We go tomorrow." So opening the sack of gold, he divided equally with Jimmi saying; "You good man, you help Bone." This pleased Jimmi, and they talked earnestly awhile, then Bone said; "Me go get wood, We start early", so walking around behind Jimmi, to the woodpile, he returned, walking but instead of wood, he had the axe in his hand which he buried in the back of Jimmi's head. After this foul deed, he took the gold that he gave Jimmi, and buried the body under an old hollow log, then filling the hole in with gravel and mud, making it look as if a bear had killed him and buried him for farther use. Then he gathered up his belongings and loaded his canoe, and started down the river.
      One of the boys from the mill met him in Mt. Vernon, where he had been on a drunk, and spending his gold, he also was spilling off about a bear killing Jimmi, and getting a big laugh out of it. Those who heard it doubted it, for Jimmi was too good a woodsman and hunter, to be killed by a Bear, they said. Someone got world to Paul, of what Bone said.
      Paul, Sidney and Andy, loaded their canoes, and immediately set out for up river, to Ruby Creek. Quite naturally Maggie objected, and she begged Andy not to go, but being a friend of Paul and Jimmi's they decided that they should.
      In the meantime, Bone had returned upriver, on his way to his claim, feeling perfectly safe in going so, and never dreaming that the boys were going to investigate his story. Ahead of him, the boys were headed up river to the land of "Silent Shadows," and soon coming to the rough waters of Cape Horn Bend, and on the swift waters of what is called "The Dalles," so inch by inch the canoes were forced against the swift current. The eddies and whirlpools making a sucking moaning noise, and it was called the "Moaning Dalles." The whole trip was strenuous, and rough with not rest, except to stop for locating the claim. Often inquiries were made of prospectors and Indians who had seen them, thus judging the distance that they traveled, and trying to locate the exact spot. They finally saw the unsuspecting Bone near a river bar; somehow, he had gotten ahead of them during the night. His canoe was beached nearby, and when he heard the dipping of the paddles, he turned to see who it was then quietly made a leap for his canoe, and quickly paddled away, thus proving his guilt in actions. They did not try to overtake him, as they had no proof of his treachery yet. So they landed with the feeling that they at least found his claim, anyway, and the chance of finding Jimmi was to come, but little hope of his being alive.
      Bone made his way back to the Kluskie of Sukie's father, and bought her with the gold, which he and Jimmi had panned, he did not want her as a wife, for she was soon to have a Papoose. He only wanted her for revenge, and later sell her, but leaving her at her Kluski for the time being. He brought out the bag of gold that he carried, and paid for her. The sight of the gold set the whole country wild, and was asked where it came from but all the answer available was that Bone found it up river somewhere. This started the gold rush, and thousands of Gold seekers stampeded up the river to Ruby Creek before many weeks.
      Few reaped the reward from their struggles to find it however, for the trip was a torturous one, with many hardships and dangers involved. Many turned back, before their goal was reached for lack of food and determination.
      White Paul and the boys searched for Jimmi's body, which he felt sure was here, yet they could see no sign whatever. They knew that he wasn't thrown into the River, or he would have been washed up on a bar along the way, for the river never keeps its dead. For days they hunted and searched, and was nearly to give up, but a Bear attracted their attention a short distance away one evening by digging at the end of a big log, tearing out chunks and dirt. Paul walked quietly through the brush and over logs, sneaking quietly, to see what he was after. The Bear got scent of him finally, or felt a sense of danger, and with a growl and snort, lumbered away. Paul walked slowly on, no knowing what he would find, until he came to the log. He started digging where the Bear left off, digging out the rocks and rubble, until a pair of loggers Caulked Boots appeared. He knew then that his search was ended. Sick at heart, he went back to his friends and told them of his find. Together, they helped remove the boy's body, and as they lifted it, they could plainly see that he had been slain with a blow of an axe, and there was no other scar upon him.
      They formed a crude stretcher, and carried him to the canoe, and then Paul pushed off, taking him back to his own people, to be buried with the proper ceremony of the Tribe.
      The two boys, stayed on here, as there were plenty of game and fish so they would have no difficulty in having enough to eat, for awhile.
      Paul promised to come back with supplies from Mt. Vernon as soon as he could. They sent notes to the girls, hoping that they'd get replies as they watched him paddle away, into the strong current.
      On the way down, he saw Bone camping on the riverbank along the way but didn't stop, as his mission was too sad, and he had no thought of revenge right then, so passed on.
      The boys kept steadily panning for gold, and getting enough to encourage them. Finally Andy said; "There must be a mother lode up the cliff somewhere" but how to climb up to the ledge was a question. Sidney finally came up with the idea that they could cut Vine Maple stubs and drive them solidly into the cracks of the rocks making sort of a ladder. This was a poor excuse for steps, but the only way to get up there. Fifty feet below, the river was deep with swirling eddies and undertow but they thought little of that, being eager to look for the vein of ore.
      In the meantime, Bone planned his revenge on the boys, and also get his claim back. He beached his canoe below in silence, and stood secretly watching them. They did not see him or the ugly hate that twisted his face, as he looked at the two lads who had ordered him out of the bunkhouse and laughed at his plight.
      For some time he stood there watching them, but they did not see him as they tossed the rocks over the cliff into the river. So unseen, he pushed his canoe into the water, keeping near the bank, and silently drifted down the river out of sight. He then climbed up around the cliff to the top and looked down at the boys on the ledge where they worked so vigorously to uncover the lode that they were sure was there.
      It was late, and they decided to call it a day. "This gold a'int going to do us a bit of good if we kill ourselves off before we get it," said Andy. "That's right" Sidney said, as they turned to climb back down, "we'll get a good nights rest, and dig like hell tomorrow." Just as they were on the way down, they heard a noise made by rattling of rocks from above so looking up expecting to see a mountain goat, they saw the ugly face of Bone looking over, and there was no time to dodge or run as a huge boulder came tumbling down the cliff coming straight for them. Andy was behind so the boulder caught him in the leg splintering it, and Sidney's back was sprained, and two ribs broken. Both boys fell into the swirling water of the river, as the fragile steps shattered from the force of the boulder. Bone felt satisfied that both boys were drowned, or was killed in the fall, and he did not wish to linger where the Skioou's of the dead might find him. After a reasonable length of time, he would return, he thought, as they would then, be in the Happy Hunting ground.
      Paul Jeasus made good time down river with his dead brother, and when he arrived, the tribe went into seeping and mourning. All night long, Paddles were beating on upturned Canoes, and wailing cries filled the air. When the actual mourners grew weary, old Squaws sat in rows, beating themselves upon the head so that they might cry in real agony.

DUCK HUNTING

      The girls at the mill received the letters that Paul delivered, and was elated over the news of the gold find, and right away, they made plans for the rosy future. Sidney would be sure to tell Fanny of his intentions then, after he returned, so she waited for that happy hour as the days passed.
      With Jimmi properly laid away in the tribal custom, Paul set out for Mt. Vernon. He went to get supplies to take back to the claim where he left the boys, but to his surprise and rage, he met Bones on the street before he left. Bone was uproariously drunk, and greeting every man as his friend. When he met Paul Jeasus, he did not know that Jimmi's body had been discovered, so he had no fear of Paul. Throwing some irons and old chains in his canoe, Paul then invited Bone to go Duck Hunting with him, as the Ducks were getting ready to fly southward, and settling along the banks and sloughs, and this Bone consented to do.
      In the canoe, was plenty of Firewater, and he paid no attention to the chains and irons in the canoe. Late that evening, Paul came back alone, minus Bone and the boom chains, saying that Bone got drunk and fell overboard. No one believed it so put it down as tribal justice being done, and no one cared what happened to the old renegade.
      When Paul reached the camp where he had left the boys, he was worried and distressed to see the broken stairway, and no sign of the boys anywhere in sight, so he quickly landed the canoe, and made for the tent. There, stretched out on the blankets were the two boys, at first, he thought they were dead, but a moan from the swollen lips of Andy, told him there was life there. When Sidney heard Paul's approach, he lifted his head disheveled and unshaven read to shoot any intruder whoever he be, but relieved to see Paul. Both men shadows of their former selves, as neither was able to cook enough to eat or hunt and fish as they planned. They told Paul how after going over the cliff into the river, Sidney managed to keep afloat, towing Andy along as they drifted with the current, till they reached a bar, then struggling for hours, before reaching camp. The pain was terrific, and Andy unconscious, with Sidney having a sprained back and two broken ribs, it was a tortuous experiment. Thereafter, the days had been a nightmare. With the injured man's fever running high, and their food about gone, Sidney watched Andy's suffering, while his fever rose high, but couldn't do anything to help. So with Paul's coming, things seemed brighter, for Paul promptly made Andy as comfortable as possible, and Sidney braced up as best as he could, he started back down river, and making good time with the flow of the current.
      Andy's leg was so shattered, and being so long without attention, that the Dr. saw the necessity of amputation, and he tightly bound Sidney's back and broken ribs, until he felt like he was wearing some old woman's corsets. Andy was doomed to spend some time in Mt. Vernon, under the doctors care, until his let healed, and a wooden leg fitted, but after a few days Sidney was able to be home with Maggie, but first filing Bones claim in his and Andy's names. When he was able, he resumed the mining, which he shared with Andy. The upper lode proved very encouraging.
      When Paul returned from the trip to Mt. Vernon, he took Sukie for his squaw, and they had no more fear of Bone, and seemed happy.
      The upper river, was beginning to open up, and Steamers were traveling both ways when the river was navigvable, and a large logging camp was now in progress at what is now Birdsview, also a settlement and school. Then later a Postoffice was voted for. It turned out to be quite a village.
      The boys panned gold several months, and made good at it, and finally sold out for a good price. Andy married Fanny, some time before that, and after selling out, they decided to go into the Store Business in Mt. Vernon. They bought a nice little store there, with Sidney handling Hardware part and Andy the grocery.
      Altho they had done well in the business, they often longed for the old free days up the Skagit, but the girls were content with city life, and enjoyed being together, taking strolls through town pushing their babies along in their high wheeled baby buggies along the rough board sidewalks of that day.
      "I don't think Andy will be satisfied in the mercantile business" said Maggie, "for its too confining, and he likes to be out of doors. It wouldn't surprise me if he sold out some day, it wasn't for Sidney. "Well" said Fanny, "Andy would hate to have him leave, but he should suit himself about that, and Sidney would understand. I won't say anything yet," said Maggie, "and besides, he hasn't a buyer yet."
      Nothing was said about it till fall, then one morning Sidney came into the store and stood looking at Andy who as staring out the window in deep thought not hearing Sidney's entrance. "A penny for your thoughts" said Sidney, and with a start, Andy suddenly turned. "I don't know if they are worth anything, but sometimes I just think that I can't stand any more of this store business, and I'd give a lot to be back up the Skagit like we used to be paddling my canoe and roughing it. There's no place so pretty in the fall, with the leaves all turning red and yellow.
      "There was a dutchman in here last week wanting to buy me out, and if he still wants it, I think I'll sell my part of the store." "I don't blame you if you really want to go, but I would hate to lose you," said Sidney. "What do you aim to do then?" "I have been thinking of starting a Stage and transfer line," Andy said. Now that the road has been built up to Birdsview, there should be money in such an investment for as it is, freight has to be shipped by canoe or Steamboat, and nothing can be shipped in high or low water, while this way, it would be hauled the year around." "You might be right", said Sidney.
      The next week the Dutchman and his wife came into the store, and after waiting on them, Sidney said; "Are you still of a mind to go into the store business?" "Ja, Ja," the Dutchman said, "Mein Frau she keep after me, Buy dot store. I buy, Ach," and the sale was made.
      He then bought four good workhorses and two wagons, then four lighter horses and a covered top Hack for the state, and started the run up the river. Maggie rode up with him on the first trip, and sitting beside him they found lots to laugh and talk about along the old familiar route.
      They came to the place where her father overtook them in the canoe, the day that they eloped, and Maggie said; "I'll never forget this place, Paw liked to scare me to death, he was so mad. I thought that he'd tan my hide good, when he got me home, but guess he didn't dare. Anyway, things turned out alright for us honey, and I still love you." "Me too," Andy said, "Gaddap."
      At last they came in sight of the old mill, as they looked across the river t it, they could see that it had changed and most of it's usefulness had gone, and the industry lay on this side of the river, now, but the memory still remained for them, and for them it seemed like home.
      The snow capped mountains and the flowing river, was all that remained the same through the years, and in the hearts of Andy and Maggie was the same devotion for each other. The Land of Silent Shadow kept forever moving back.
END

"The Land of Silent Shadows" Return to Part I Written by Catherine Savage Pulsipher; originally typed & arranged by Mabel Boyd Royal-Steen; typed & transcribed by Larry Spurling; arranged & compiled on the Stump Ranch, Dan Royal ©

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