Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-05-16

Joined by old Joe Bates and two of his
younger sons. armed to the teeth. Thev
were delighted to see Frank alive. for they
had feared that the column of smoke that
bad risen from the cabin was his monu-
ment. but now they did their best to con-
dole with him In their rough wav. He
said but little, but secretly vowed to
avenge his wife's death, and well did he
keep his word To have seen him. no
one would have supposed that the mild
looking, slender built Frank Bates was
an incarnate demon in fight with the
Dacotahs. yet within year after bis cab
IN was burnt, he had twenty scalps hang
/ ing at his girdle. Vengeance" seemed
his only thought-his life's desire
| For sometime after this outrage, the
Daeotahs kept away from the miners, but
at last party of them came prowling
about, and the miners determined to have
a brush with them-who was so compe-
tent to head the party as that sworn enc
my of the redskins Frank Bates The
party engaged two Winnebagoes as guides
and then struck into the forest, following
a recent trail The third night of their
journey. the wary leader insisted on stand
ing sentry, and about midnight the clear
crack of his rife awakened every sleeper.
In an instant. every man was on his feet,
rifle in hand, ready to repel any lurking
foe. but low whistle from Frank an
nounced there was no danger. Morning
came, and as the party crowded around
the sentinel to learn the cause of the
alarm, he merely pointed to what appear
ed to be huge bear a nearer approach
IL - u ]
ment the grim visage of dead Dacotah,
enyeloped in the skin of gigantic bruin
who thus disguised, had attempted to re-
connoitre the position of the frontiers
men
Frank now felt assured they were near
their enemy, aud followed the trail in 81
lence on the alert for their foe On reach
ing the summit of a knoll they saw the
village before them-a collection of high,
conical tents, made of dressed buffalo
skins sewed together, aud ornamented
with rude representations OF the battle or
the chase. On the outskirts were the
squaws, engaged in the laborious occu-
patioDs which fall to their lot Their in
fants, tightly bound to straight strips of
bark were tied to small bent-oTcr branch
es, which gently danced them to sleep.
and the boys of the village, with bow and
arrow, were firing at the representation
of Kansas hunter In the centre of the
village. before the towering tent Of the
chief. sat the braves, smoking their toma-
hawk pipes with stoical gravity
The white men looked at the priming
Of their rifles. put their sharp hunting
knives between their teeth, aud with
deafenine yell rushed down through the
frightened squaws, ere the Dacotahs could
comprehend what caused the alarm -
Dashing into the startled gronp of war
riors with fierce war whoops. they dealt
destruction around them The chief was
the first slain, bravely defending himself
and encouraging his warriors who nobly
struggled to ayenge his death. but all in
vain
Frank Bates fought ike demon, but
at one time was nearly victim to stall
wart warrior But on glaneing at his
opponent, Frank recognized in a gay red
handkerchief around his head. his mar
riage gift to his lost wife This added
renewed strength to his body and increas-
ed activity to his fury. as be seized his
assilant with his left arm lifted him from
the ground, and at the same time with
nervous force thrust his knife into has
heart This decided the battle. for the
surviving Dacotahs, panic stricken at the
sudden attack. rushed TO the spot where
their horses were tethered and escaped
into the forest Upwards of fifty dead
warriors remained on the bloody field aud
others grieyously wounded but not a sin
gle white man was seriouly injured
The women aud children fed to the
woods, and the whites found an abundance
Of plunder, comprising blankets. rich furs.
horses. dried meat and tents But Frank
Bates felt sad at heart, Cor the sight of
this memento of his wife made him fear
she had been tortured before perishing
in the flames Night came on, and feel
ing positive that he could not sleep, he
volunteered to keep watch. 1t was
bright moonlight night, and as he was
pacing his solitary round, planning new
schemes of vengeance. be heard light
step approach from the thicket
Frank, at frss, raised his rife to shoot
down the intruder, but secret Influence
led him to call out ho comes9"
Are you white man p was the reply
in tones that produced an indescribable
effect upon the stout hearted pioneer.
Yes, and you2 p
/ Il am Frank Bates wife, who was ia
ken prisoner over on the Mississippi"
and as she spoke, she advanced
F! The life fell to the ground, aud he stood
as if under the influence OF magic spell
His hands were convulsively clenched.
his hair stood erect on his head, shiver
ran through his frame, and he tottered
back several PAGES But not SO the fe-
male. who had recognized her husband as
she drew near. aud now she exclaimed as
she threw herself into his arms
Frank nv own Frank Do you not
know your wife 2
Yes, 1t was his long incurred bride, her
features stamped with sorrow. bat still
retaining her early beauty Mutual ex
plantations followed, and when the delight
ed wife learned the safety of her boy. ali
her hardships vanished Il now appear
ed that when the Indians had entered
Bates house. they found keg of whisky