The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1862-07-17

At sunset all went into the fort and
made their disposition for defense.
s.Evcry man. said Captain Eaton
twill he needed to fight when the pesky
critters pitch in; for just as likely as
not they'll make a big drive, and kalki-
late to knock our shanty down; then
we must due some fast shootcn. Ladies
cant you load the guns? 2"
They thought they could with little
instruction. This he proceeded to give.
When all was prepared the Captain
said. "All Of you lie down and takoa
nap while I watch, for the brutes wont
be here till near midnight, and you are
all very tired and need rest. I'll call
you in timc' They lay down but sleep
did not visit them that night. Soon
after dark the moon arose in a cloudless
sky; Illuminating the whole scener,
around 50 as to make objects visible At
great distance. The moon had hardly
reached the Zenith, when the watcher
saw dark object crawling along on the
ground from the edge Of the timber
towards one Of the cabins.
When he reached it, he pcercd in at
the cracks, and not seeing or hearing
anything he proceeded cautiously to
look in at the windows, but with no
better success; thus he proceeded from
one to another until all had been visited.
still they saw nothing. Then he turned
toward the new house and in the same
steal;hy manner approached 1t. Ap-
plying his eye to a crack, he saw the
horses tied inside. "IIumph" said the
Indian: "white man heap pony by by
Iniin "kecp pony Seeing a ladder
laying against the house he cautiously
aSccned it and looking in saw the in
mates apparently asleep: then de-
cending. he gliaed away to the timber
The captain then gave the signal to
his companions and they noislessly arose
and took their stations, and awaited the
attack. Presently long line Of war
riors were seen approaching noislessly
toward the building.
| On they came, till the foremost was
within rods Of the house when the
Captain "yave the signal, and as if by
magic the ladder was drawn to the top
Of the house, by ropes which were tied
to it. 'lrire" shouted the Captain, and =
sheet Of FIRE poured forth as if the house
had been volcano, sending death and
destruction into the ranks of the darky
warriors, causing half dozen OF them
to bite the dust while the rest stood 4
mo;nent irresoiute !; then seeing thei,
chance for getting inside Of the house
cut off, fired their guns, seized thcil
killed and wounded comrads, and start
/, cd to seek the friendly shelter Of the
! grove: "Give 'cm the shot guns now''
shouted the captain: and again tht
guns poured forth their FIRE, and leader
, hail, upon their retreating enemies, de
cimating their ranks; but this time the,
did not stop to pick up their dead anf
wounded, but each ore ran for dea
5 life to the grove as fast rs his leg
could carry him, nor did they stop ii
! they were vel ont Of danger.
i At this jnncture of affairs our friend
= shout OF triumph, and times cheer
;. were given, which were re-echoed b
Q the curses Of the baffled foe, and tn
!. groans Of their dying companions. A
= soon as they reached the timber the
Y commenced firing at the port holes, br
without any effect, for they were close
q rs soon as the guns were withdraw
Z. Presently the firing ceased and soc
n they heard the Indians chopping. "Wh
a does that mcan', asked Stratton
lie s'Wall, I guess they'r getting bate
i, ing ram, to knock our door down with
said the Captcin, shut we'll fix 'em'
n ssSally; fire up the stove quick, ar
a. heat that boiler of water; guess
n aint quite hot enough to scald rig
is good vet, you see we must be VII
r awake, for if they get inside they'll G
re the horses loose and smoke us; {
at water is for close quarters. We mu
l9 draw their FIRE so that when we are Q
ligea to put onr heads above the wa
Is, their guns will be empty; SO after !
Sc have fred our guns each man must 7
ev his hat on his ramrod and put it j,
re above the wall, they will fire at the,
then wcmay safely put our heads above
ch They had not long to wait tor soo'
nj volley of flaming arrows were seen
M ascend ana making beautiful ca
an famine ana sparkhng as they ~
X III .y .f,g, I>,,ra