White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1857-06-11


the boys can bring in the bosses. It's no use
running risks being out too late o'nighss; for
as say, thurs brown skin knocking around
and thar may be some hair-swApping afsre NOR
ming"
Accordingly, the animals were brought near
or the camp, and securely picketed. Fresh iu-
ell was added to the fire, which now began to
blaze brightly, notwithstanding the rain. Then
each man spread his buffllo-rObe and blanket on
the bare ground TO which tlIeS Eaied Navajo
or viewpoint Maekinaw, as an out .ide covering,
to keep out the rain from the beds. Having
completed their preplrations for the night. and
seen their riass and powder securely protected
by being placed between the blankets, each MN
lit his b!rck-s:emmed pine, and sitting with their
feet to the fire, prepared to bsguile the tedious
hours with SIN Ike anil marvellous y,rns, until
tired nature should compel them to seek repOse
in sleep.
The hours dragged slowly, and nothing had
occurred 70 disturb the cherries camp Only
the rain fell more cppiously, and tie Gliding of
the wolves was heard but at intervals, when the
wind panssd to gather its strength for fresh
blasts. The animlls ceased to craze, and
bumped their bucks to the force of the stoym.
The toblcc, in the pipes grew low. AMI the bla
zing camo.fr was reduced to glowing embers.
Old Ramrol stirred up the ashes with his foot.
and glanced uneasily around.
"who's fust guard to-night7'' he asked.
"Joe Travis"
"well, put one more with him, and let the
boys lock well to the cavayard, for thar viii DE
powder burned afore morning"
Old Ramrod's Injunction was readily obeyed,
for all seemed instinctively to acknowledge him
as leader, though there were those in the party
as old as he. Then all crawlcd in between their
blankets, and composed themselves for the night;
and with the Injunction to "kees their eyes
skinned for redskins" the guard commenced
their duties.
Two hours dragged heavily by, and midn'gh:
came but IL brought NJ abatement Of the
storm. 1t WIS pigh time for the guard to he
relieved. Old Ramroi rested uneasijy. His
sleep came BY SWITCHES, and he tossed upon his
hard bed, occasionally raising his head and
peering into the thick gloom. or casting his eye
anxiously towards the animals which were
picketed near By. Perhaps it was the cx'raor-
binary toll he had undergone the past few days,
that Izaiie him rcst'ess. Once he STATED up
suddenly from his soaked bed, when orc OF the
mules snorted, ard cooking his rife, walked out
from camp, and cautiously rcconnoitred the
premises; but he saw nothing. The guard were
on the alert, and ali seemed quiet. Concluding
that his drowsiness had aided his Imagination,
he resun-1, and once more COMPOSED himself
to rest, expressing his vexation at being thus
disturbed by sullen growl:
"Dirn SIGH doins', say ugh! Iniins about,
be theyl Well, pres17s they ar; but they can't
feome it over this chiId-they can't come itorer
This child. Ugh.'
Then he closed his eyes for a momept, but
presently turned upon his other side, and CLAM
ced toward his packmule.
'Ugh-Old grizzls-head! got yer top-eye open,
have ye7 That's right-keep it so-or maybe
you'll get ropcd afore day light
The animal seemed to comprehend the Ian
guagc Of its master, and cooked its cars; and
Ramrod presently fell into a quiet doze. The
first guard had come in, and the second was pre-
pared to 90 out, when the animals gave :. sud
den snort. Then came a startling sound, like
the swift rush of many feet trampiing over the
turf; the horses gave loud, quick snort, threw
up their heads, and dashing wildly to the full
length of their rOp,s, stood trembling and sta
ring into the thick gle.m. In an instant, every
man bad sprung from his bed; and grlsping their
ready rides, they fang themselves fat on the
ground beyond The light Of the Gre, ready to re-
ceive the second attempt of the Indians upon
their animals, which they had very good reason
to expect. Bat they waited in vain. 1t was ev-
ilent that the Indians, having once filed Of sue
cess, had not courage to renew the attack, or
else they planned some different mlnnvrc. The
latter wss mast probable.
Dun the snsakin' rcd dsrils!' said RamrOd,
at length, as he rose from the earth, and shook
himself, IF them ain'i the meancst kind OF
hiins, wouldn't say so. We might as well up
stakes at once, for it won't do to stop here, no
how. This child hain't no notion of having his
top-knot swinging from the end of Rapaho's
wipins stick-sO let's OUT
Accordingly, the lariats Of the animals were
speedily loOsened, and the party then quietly re-
moved to spot some fffy rods distant; for to
remain longer before their bright FIRE, was but
to expose themselves as targets for Indian sharp.
shooters, to whom the darkness was cover suff-
cient 70 protect them from the aim of the whites,
who could not see beyond the little circle Of
light around them. Having again pieleted then
animals, they seated themselves upon the ground
drsw tlieir blankets around them to protect then
limbs from the cold and rain, lighted their pipes
and waited patiently for The dawn That came
at last. The Indians mlIestel thsn no more
that night, and as soon as the first grey streak
appeared in the east, they mounted horses, and
took the route which would soonest carry them
out Of that part Of the country; for, as Indians
were plenty, and game was scare. the induce
ments 70 remain were not great.
Amer two hours ride, and while they were
proceeding leisurely at an ambiing gate. they
deserted a small band OF The Indians in the dis
lance; and on coming nearer, the Indisns began
mixing signals of peaceabls intentions. The
Indians being but SIX. their overtures we're rea.
dir accepted. and they were allowed to como
up. They prored to be hunting party Of ogal-
I lAlah Sioux. Amer receiving some tobacco, thes
volunteered the information that : large party Of
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