Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-21

4 h$d HI hlOfc iOI litttlsf e. rr a. 'I.
The next morning at daybreak tht
camp was astir. By sunrise the Wagon
train was on its way toward the north
west.
At night they halted beside small
stream and parked the wagons, and haC
supper, and talked and sang songs and
told stories, like one great joyous fam
lily.
AT daybreak again they were on the
way,
In the course of ten days, having
travelled rapidly for OK teams, they
reached the Little Blue river, a branch Of
the Big Blue. The women built fires and
began preparations for supper. The
men proceeded to park the wagons.
The last train took over this route
was attacked by Indians Just here, said
Conductor Landlord. "They we're un.
usually bold, and we had tough fight
Good Heavens What is that?"
He beheld, by the last rays of the sun
set, mounted band Of Indians, their
weapons glittering in the yellow light,
their plumes nodding in the wind, as
they came on like whirlwind.
Indidnsi" yelled the conductor in
voice that made every woman's face
turn white. Pawnees or Sioux,
cant tell which. They seem to be on
the war path. can see their weapons.
They outnumber us, counting in our
women. Call in the children. We
shall have to defend ourselves" "
He blew a shrill blast on his bugle
that rang out far and wide. They were
sweeping down upon the train, with
whoops and ye,ls, murder and rapine in
their very aspect.
Conductor Landlord was skilled in
Indian warfare, and was scout of con-
siderable note.
There are twenty savages, he an
nounced.
Remember, boys, you are fighting
for your mothers and sisters. Show us
what stuff you are made of. ]"
Then he shouted
Now, men, the gunl Have out the
gum They are in war paint, and mean
mischief. When give the word, FIRE =!
The Indians came nearer and nearer,
advancing in a straight line.
Now, boys give them hint that we
are not fooling," said the guide grimly.
Mark Heber and his young comrades
fred volley,
The next moment shower of bullets
came hurting toward the defenders of
the camp.
The gunl" cried Landlord. "Give
it to EN-, Whitman.
Whitman did "give it to them, NOV.
ing down three mounted savages, horses
and riders rolling over and over il hor-
rible death agony.
The remaining savages again came to
a halt, but only for an instant With
terrific warwhoop, they came on again
to the onslaught, firing as they came,
and looking like incarnate demons.
All togetherl cried the guide.
The other men and all the boys fred,
each with especial aim. Six mounted
savages fell before the deadly rain.
A panic immediately seized upon the
survivors. In the midst of it, Whitman
grimly touched off his field. piece anew
This ended the conflict. The savages
with horrible yells beat an instantaneous
retreat, leaving their dead upon the field
and dragging away their wounded
Amory had bullet wound in his
and Arnold eldest son had
flesh wound in his arm, but neither of
these injuries was serious.
Are you safe, Gay?' demanded
Mark, coming toward her.
"Yes, but I'm almost smothered."
Gay. Have the savages
surely gone, Mark
Gay cautiously crept forth while she
was speaking. The remaining wagons |
lisgorged their crouching occupants,
women and children coming forth pale |
and trembling, but full of joyful graft
Jude at their escape from death, or a
ate worse than death. The camp took
IN its usual appearance even before the
'etreating savages were entirely lost to
,iew in the far distance. That night
hey encamped upon the prairie, and
net with no adventure. A guard was
as on the previous night, but
10 Indians were to be seen.
Every day for the week that followed,
he enoampment on the Little Blue was
ull of incident but all of the pleasant
ort, nothing occurring to alarm the
And at the end of the week, to their
rest joy and relief, they arrived at Fort
(earnay.
The emigrsnts did not halt at the fort,
ut pressed on to kearpey City, where
hey encamped just at nightfall
Here Conductor Landlord found ano.
her train, the guide of which had been
tabled the night before by notorious
ian, who had escaped arrest. The train {
-as offered to Landlord, to be united |
18th his own.
The assault that had been made upon {
ne conductor of the previously arrived
rain, was made matter Of discussion, q
nd regret that his assailant had escaped
as universal. l...r.#
/ know the fellow who dirked the con.
uetor said Landlord. He is a per-
.et demon.' ] know that be has killed v
sveral men. saw him at Denver last a
ear. He had Just stabbed miner from s
5hind, and robbed him of all his money
nd gold He is called Blue Jack"
" Blue Jack" cried one or two boys.
What a name" G
They call him so because one side Of
s face is blue, as If bruised, said s.
andford. "Looks 20 if the blood had
tiled under the skin. K
The new train was bound for Denver, Z
Landlord had said. n
Two wagons belonged 10 men who had |
} woman with them. There were five Il
these desperadoes, and only the small 81
'ss Of their number as compared with q
9 others induced Landlord to allow
EN- 70 tFaEsl under his guidance and K
e protection Of his tIsil. Il
A few introductions took place, aud d
en- the long train took up its line Of
arch westward. 81
During the noon encampment, on the e'
tovin~ daV Cav hod fpfsha1 her dio- ! L,