Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1870-12-15


Driven By the Fire into the Midst
of the Settlements.
From a gentleman just arrived
from Sioux Falls City, we learn
the following particulars of an ex-
citing affair which occurred at that
place a few nights since
The prairie had been burning
in the neighborhood all the after
noon, and toward evening the
country on the Dakota side Of the
river was seen to be ablaze, and
the winds from the westward
waited a dense cloud ofsmoke and
ashes toward the city. As night
drew on, the lurid flashes iIluni-
mated the streets, casting a crim-
son light upon the windows OF
the buildings, and causing weird
expression to oyerspread the coun-
tenanees of the citizens who were
congregated upon the street cor
ners watching the leaping flames
as they writhed aud twisted, like
souls IN Purgatory, Oh the oppo-
site side of the river. All was
still, not a sound was to be heard
save the occasional cracking Of
the tall bunch grass as it strug.
.gled and fought with the fiery
serpents that attacked It's stems.
The citizens gazed with awe upon
the grandest of the western sights.
and though gathered together in
little knots and groups, near each
other, the subhmity and grandeur
of the immense panorama over
powered all speech, and all stood
silent and motionless, watching,
the approaching fires.
Harkl what means the rumb-
ling sounds that, borne upon the
night winds, break with such dis
may upon the ears of the alright.
ed spectators ? Men look into
each others faces, and though
their lips move not, their eyes,
strive to seek the cause of these
strange noises. Uneasily they
gazed along the river banks. The
river is not rising, ,soit is not thence
the sounds proceed. No hurricane
is felt, so the winds can furnish
no solution to the mystery. What
can it be z Soon the noise of
rolling thunder is mingled with
sounds appearing like the click OF
oridle-bits or sheaths Of swords,
and, anon, the snorting, putting
breath Of animals can also be clear
ly beard. Can it be that the sav-
ages have fred the country, and,
with this fearful ally, are coming
to destroy the settlements ? The
knots and groufs of citizens be-
gan to move uneasily towards
their homes, as il feeling that
their arms would soon be needed
TO WELD the knife and rifle for the
protection Of their thresholds.
Now strange and exciting cries
are heard from those who have
the last upon the streets,
and the cry of Buffalo The
buffalo are crossing the river T.
vas echoed by many mouths.
Men hurried out of their houses,
women appeared in their doorways
md windows, their night garments
giving them the ghostly appear
lnce of the inhabitants Of the sep
llchre. Rife barrels cleaned and
'hOne with a crimson Iustre in the
light of the fires which were now
eaying their serpent tongues in
he waters of the river edge.
Heavens what was that 4
luge body rushes past the fright
ned women, and like demon
ncarnate dashes up tie street.
Then another, and still another,
hen the place resounds with
:licking hoofs, and a sea of NOV
ng hair and glistening horns 6ll
he streets and sidewalks. Crash !
rash crash The rifles resound
Ipon the streets. Crash ! crashl
nd heavy bodies sank to rise no
1ore. A moment of horror and
ewilderment, and then the town
quiet-the streets empty, and
he thunder of receding hoofs
ONES almost inaudibly to the ears
f the citizens who now cautious
Y sally forth. In the streets and
utters, dark, shaggy masses are
imly to be seen by the light Of
be now dying fires. They strug-
le and vainly rise to their feet,
ut soon sink back, and beat their
uge heads against the hard road
ay, and, as the crimson life-stream
ours from mouth and nostril, roll
Ieir eyes in the death agony. By
Ie morning light naught is to be
en- but the CORY pools which yet
y like miniature lakes upon the
rect.
A Maine editor expresses the
'inion that if one of his politi-
Il -