Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-08-21
s@TRANsIENT BILEs-cAsH.
Don. mind it, Joseph !; we will go on

a'one."
The train moved on without them, some
of the gold hunters taunting and joking,
others fearful that the two would be butehs
cred by the Indians before the day was over.
When the white top wagons were so far
away that they seemed no larger than his
hand, Joseph moved along on the trail. his
face stern and dark, and so busy with the
thoughts that he did not hear his cousoling
words: E's. t:s --zr,2Fi f {,
"Never mind, Joseph We are trying to do
That night whom the wagon train of the
gold hunters camc into camp, they could not
see the lone wagon. though many of the men
ashamed of their conduct, looked long and
earnestly for it. They had seen Indians sfsr
of, aud they knew that the red devils would
pounco down upon a single team as soon as
they sighted il. rH -r
Darkness came, midnight came, and the
seutiuels heard nothing but the stamping of
the horses and the howls of coyotes. AT
two o'clock the reports of rifles and the fierce
wells of Indians fnated through the valley,
and the camp was aroused in a moment.
'Ths devils have jumped in on Joseph
and his brother! whispered one of the men,
as he stood on the knoll aud bent his head to
listen.
Good huff! Cowards have no business
out here !" growled the Texan.
The first sneaker wheeled. struck tho ruff
fan sledge. hammer blow in the face aud
then running for his horse cried out:
"Come on como on dozen OF us can
be spared for the rescue
Sixteen men swept down the valley like
the wind The firing aud tho yelling con.
tinued, proving that the man who had been
called a coward was making fight. In ten
minutes they came upon the ! me camp, mado
light as day by the burning wagon. Fiity
feet ION the bonfire, and hemmed in by
circle oil dancing, leSping, bowling savages,
was Joseph's brother standing over Joseph's
dead body. .F.
The gold hunters heard the pop popl
pop! OF the boys revolver as they burst into
view, and the next moment they were cbarg.
ing down upon the demons. using rife and
revolver with terrible effect. In two min
utes not live Indian was in sight. Josephs 8
brother stood over tho body, an empty re-
volver in his hand. The men cheercd wild>
ly as they looked around, but the boy looked
up into their faces, without a sign Of exulta-
tion surprise or gladness.
There were three dead Indians beside tho
wagon, killed where the fight commenced,
and the corp.es in front of Juseph's brother
numbered mote than the victims OF the six
teen mcD.
HIs Joseph badly hurt z" asked one Of tho
men, as he halted his horse beside the boy.
'.He is dead ~ whispered the whiteiace
defender.
"Hcis! God forgive me for tho part I
took last night!"
"You called him coward :" cried Josephs
brother, "aud you are to blame for this
Was he a coward ? Look there and there
and there! We drove them clear out here
Joseph is dead !! You are his mnrderers y
Every man was near enough to hear his
voice and to note bis action as he picked up
a rifle OF an Indian and sent bullet through
his own head With exclamations of grief
and alarm trembling on their lips. the men
sprang from their saddles. Tho boy was
dead-dead as Joseph-and both corpses
were bleeding FROM dozen wounds.
Well carry 'enr up to the train and have
q burial in the morning" said one OF the mon.
and the bodies wero taken up behind two OF
the lorsemen.
They did have 4 burial, and tho men
looked into the grave with tears in their eyes.
for they had discovered that Joseph's brother
was woman = yes, woman with the whitest
throa. and the softest hands. 1t might have
been Joseph's wife, OF sister. or sweetheart.
No one could tell that; but they could tell
how they had wronged him, and said, as they
stood around the grave: .-..
1--WE hope the Lord won't lay il up agin
us"