The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-05-25
THE FIGHT ON THE PLAINS,

sundfy bands OF different Tribes once
more on the war path, but that their
movements seemed 10 point in that par
ticular direction. Sol Brantly, the
scout, was dispatched by the port COM
mander to notify other ports and the
settlers Of their danger.
AS Sol rode rapidly over the prairie
on his mission, he saw Q column OF
smoke rising up, and rode hastily TO-.
wards il. IL was 0 wagon that had
been plundered before IL was burnt,
and there on the trampled grass, among
scattered fragments Of simple house.
hold furniture, lay the scalped and
bleeding bodieso Of an elderly man and
woman, and little girl. Dead all OF
them, and shot full ofarrowg
Sol then rode carefully around the
scene, az IL collecting data for deter
mining the number and strength Of the
Indian band. The grass was close and
deep, but the Indians had left signs
enough behind them 10 answer his pur-
pose. z 6s.gA
no, misterl''
The cry came from q childish voice,
almost under the horses hoofs, and he
reined in Captain with o jerk which al.
most threw him on his launches, while
up from the tall grass, where he had
hidden at the first alarm Of danger,
peered the. round and rosy face Of q
bright-looking twelve year!old boy.
The little fellow was unhurt, and told
his pitiful story in clear and manly
wayin spite Of his weeping.
The murdered man and woman were
his uncle and aunt, and the little girl
his cousin. His father had got o little
ahead of them that morning, with the
rest OF the train, and they had travelled
very fast TO catch up, but in vain; and
the Indians came, and then he only re.
membered being SO scared, and crawl.
ing away through q hole in the grass.
This was an old buffalo path, and so
llcoyered over that IL had saved lit.
Tie Abran Bonner's life. Sol listened
carefully.
MConldn't catch 'em? Then they
must have mistook the trail at the
forks. Must be ten miles away TO the
south. Saved their Hcalps bya blum
der, may be. Well, ] must be after
them, aud see II they can't be saved en-
tifely. Give us your fist, my little
man. ,si X IN
Abram did 80, and in another mo-
ment he was safely strapped to Soils
waist, while Captain seemed entirely
unconscious Of his additional burden.
Speed was IN object now, and Sol
pushed away to the southward with o
genuine scouts certainty that he had
interpreted the situation correctly.
As he went, though lie said little, he
contriyed TO learn from his little friend
nl1aboui the party Of which they were
in search.
There were Mr.. and Mrs. Bonner, and
four big brothers ofAbram, and his sis
ter Mary, besides Pat, the driver, and
they had three wagons. They had'plenty
Of guns, but supposed themselves en-
tirely safe from the indians.
'tSix men besides myself" said Sol.
mwell, that looks hopeful. II I can
only find them. Hthey're on the regu-
lar trail, they've gone up by this time,
and maybe they are, any how"
His cogitations had not prevented him
from keeping o sharp lookout, nor was
he at all surprised when he saw, as II
coming out Of q rayine at no great dis
tance, o brace Of unmistakable Indian
warriors. They were right in his path,
and he had that on his mind which
made him feel very little disposed to-
retreat, II these two were all.
To be sure, there was little Abram,
but the boy must take his chances. So
Sol unslung his repeating rifle Of the
latest pattern. and rode steadily for
ward. si.ilf
Somewhat to his astonishment the
two Indians sat motionless on their
horses, as il waiting for him. and on his
approach made signs OF amity.
Cautiously, more than suspecting o
trap, Sol drew nearer, with his hand on
the guard Of his rifle but, once within
hailing distance, his doubts were parti.
ally dissippsed by o grufy voice shouting
tohim m g.
"Delaware. Friendl'
Sure enough he had stumbled upon o
couple Of ofDelawafe scouts in the em-
ploy Of the post, and they had news Of
Importance for him. g
The )Kiowas were "all around, very
bad, and might be upon them at any
moment. Sol, in turn, told them what
he himself Ind seen, directed one Of
them TO go on with him, and the other
10 ride back upon the trail, meet the
cavalry and ask the officer 70 take the
north road at the forks Of the trail, and
TO ride hard. His orders were very
willingly obeycd, and Sol and his new
recruit again pushed forward.
More than once they caught q heeting
glimpse Of distant, prowling horsemen,
but met with no molestation until they
came upon the old, and now seldom
used trail, which they were aiming Of.
Here o single glance informed Sol
that his coniecturehad been o wise one,
for there were the fresh marks Of the |
wagon wheels and other traces; by
which he knew they had not o half an
hour the start Of him.
On be went, with his Delaware beside
him, little Abraham enduring his tir. |
comfortable ride with o good degree OF
boyish pluck and heroism; but he was
not destined 10 reach his journeys end
without d taste Of what was coming.
One, and then another and another,
the whooping Kiowas began 10 close
about them, seeming 10th TO attack, and
yet hungry for blood.
Sol paid no attention To them at first,
but rode steadily onward, not wishing
10 put Captain 70 his speed as yet, nor
caring 10 waste time in useless ooting.