Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-07-14

| Tof oue inoment we gave our norSeS breath
received final instructions, looked carefully
TO our arms, put fresh caps on the nipples
and then we shot out in body at the very toI
OF our speed, giving the old ranger yell, which
has been the death knell of many hundred
| Camanches.
The Indians seemed utterly astounded-we
had come up unseen, and so suddenly. By
our speed, they knew that they could not es
cape by flight, so drawing up in line, they raj
| lied to meet our charge.
| Foremost among them, we could see the
chief curvetting about on his large black
horse, keeping poor Balbina still before him
| evidently intending that she should serve as
shield for him in the coming conflict. Ut.
| tering fierce yells in echo to our own his war.
riors brandished their long lances tauntingly,
seeming in no way disinclined for the conflict
In truth, we found now, that they outnumber-
| ed us at least ten to one, and on an open
prairie their odds was anything but contempt
ible.
| We were now within about four hundred
yards-or even less-of them, when a sharp
crack, and puff of smoke, was heard and seen,
and the next second we saw the chief reel in
his seat, while his horse madly plunged for
ward from the,fndian line. Before he had ia
ken three bounds, the chief fell to the earth,
dragging away the half of Balbina's dress in
his death grip, while she slipped back into
his saddle. and firing the remaining barrels
vi Tue ldCtS Ol HIS dStOulSu-
ed warriors, dashed away from them unharm-
ed, amid shower Of arrows, which almost
darkened the air.
$50 it, gall Go it, Baby , YOU'RE Nick
Castles gal, by all that's holy 20 shouted the
old ranger; but neither he or any of us drew
rein then.
Giving the red devils the contents of our
rifles at long range, We kept on, and in less
than thirty seconds were among them with our
six shooters.
There was not much fighting there then
1t was simply butchery. The Indians were
cowed by the fall of their chief, and tried to
run. But poor work they made of it. They
dropped around us on every side, until we
were fired, and full two-t thirds of their number
lay stretched IN the grass. Only one of our
men was badly hurt, though four others were
slightly wounded, among whom was ssyour
humble servant" who got probed in the shoul-
der with lance, but he settled his volunteer
and urjnviting surgeon, with blue pill, and
cried quits.
The few Indians who were left were so COM
pletely scattered and whipped, that we did
not fear their return, so we rode back to the
timber, found water, and campcd for the res!
of the day and night, to rest and attend to
our wounded.
The man who was worst hurt, died that after
noon, and we buried him in the wilderness.
The others got along very well, and the next
day we got back to Mr.. Castles ranch, with
our scaips, and about fifty extra horses, which
we had taken after the fight.
s'How did you feel, gal, when the bloody
redskin had you up before him 20 asked Nick.
after his daughter was once more safe beneath
his roof.
That 1 was more than match for him, at
any time!'' she replied. "But knew that
you would be after me, and thought I'd wait
until the right timel''
$50 you did, gal; so you did |! But how
come they to get hold of you in the morning,
withoutyou seeing them until they had you ?''
:'That is more than l know, father. l had
gone to:the spring for water, to make coffee
with, and had just stopped to dip it, when 1
was seized-a strip of blanket thrown over my
head-then was lifted on to the horse, and
you know the rest!''
ssYou owe this young man thanks for being
in hurry to chase 'em up ~ continued Nick.
81 do believe he'd have gone alone, if hadn t
hurried up the boys and started I''
81 am grateful and sorrow that he was
wounded in my rescue 20 said the lovely girl,
taking my hand in hers.
All, Balbina-a deeper wound bad you given
me, than the Indians spear had inflicted
your eyes had reached my heart. And for
such wound there is but one relief, and never
a cure. That relief is given by him who binds
two willing hands, where the hearts are already
united.
Balbina may be mine yet; if she becomes so,
| shall be sure to let your readers know OF it.