The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-10-23
Srlfrf Storr.
"LITTLE DAM"

l. Is abotit two hundred miles from
Fort Territt, Texas, 6f1 the held waters
of the Liano River, 20 Fort McKavatte.
on the headwaters of the San Saba, and
Fort Mason, in the big bend of the
Llsno, is about the sama distance to the
east, inclosing a triangular spot Of coun-
try, half as large as the State of Rhode
Island A continuation of the Apache
NJ untaius. called by hunters "Gray
Horse Hitis," ineloses triangle on the
west, and over the prairie thus shut in
| the red man is king
Six men, none OF them hunters or In
Idian lighters, but all well armed; had
been escorted from Fort Mason to Ter.
Iritt, but on reaching that point the Indi-
ans were found to be so numerous snd
troublesome that a military escort to
Fort McKavette could not be spared.
There were forty one soldiers at the
post, hardly enough for it's defense, and
lit was plain, without a word from the
colonel, that not man could be spared.
"There are redskins enough between
here and McKayette to destroy regi
ment Of veterans" he remarked, as the
chances we're being discussed. 1.-THE
best scout on the plains could not ride
over thirty miles per day, and he would
be almost certain TO lose bis scalp before
he was out of sight of his post. Take
this glass and tell me what you see"
1t was half an hour before sundown.
The glass revealed Indians in every di.
rection, some we're riding at a swif,
pace, others motionless on the knolls, and
the fort was completely encircled.
There's thousand II there is oue,' y
continued the colonel as he received the
glass. "and I must get ready at once fol
hot times"
Those six men had an errand and 8
message Of the utmost importance, and
they could not delay; there we're two
veteran scouts at the post, but when of.
fered any sum to pilot the party through
they shook their heads and said:
"The hull triangle is chin deep with
reds, and no living white man could
avoid them " a.
Yet the determination of the six mer
to 90 on wss not shaken.
"You are lunatics," exclaimed the col
enel, when his arguments were found to
be Of no avail, "and I'll close the gates
and prevent you from going"
Nevertheless, an hour after nightfal
he came down to where the six men were
saddling their horses and said;
"It's nothing less than murder, but, Il
you will GO, let our little Dan 60 along
he knows the route, is brave and cool
headed, and if you'd take orders from
him there's one chance in thousand
that he'll take you through"
And sour little Dan" soon Joined the
party; he wasn't an Indian, nor yet 6
Mexican or white man; he was neither
boy nor man; he was human being
less than Eve feet in height, weighed
about ninety pounds, had long. brown
hair. coal black eyes, long jaw, salloW
cheeks. and the biggest hand OF any mar
in Texas. As he stood looking at ths
party, the colonel said:
"Dan,thes riders mnst be at Fort Nc
Kavette at the earliest possible hour
They put themselves under your orders
and you will be ready In fifteen minutes
to start" R1
The being disappeared in the darkness
without a word, aud in ten minutes b,
was at the gate ready to go. He wa.
mounted on the largest mustang evel
seen around any of the western forts; b,
had strapped on blanket for &saddle
6lled his canteen with whisky, and hi
pockets with provisions, and he had ,
Henry rife, two revolvers and an Ar
kansas bowie knife for weapons
(which way shall you start out P
anxiously inquired the colonel, as al
were ready
| The dwarf pointed straight TOWARD
McKavette for reply
"Well, good.by, each one"
| As the party passed through the gate
Little Dan motioned for the men to rid
lone behind the other, and then he spur
red forward and took the lead his mus
ltang went OF at an easy lope. and th
Ipace OF the other horses was regulates
accordingly. He rode with his rife res,
ling in front Of him, having no stirrup
and holding no rein, but guiding th
) horse entirely by his knees; the feet G
the horse made scarcely sound as the
cantered over the thick grass, and th
voice of the prairie cricket sounded tel
IribIy loud and harsh to the anxious r
ders. ~ @
Two miles from the post Little Da
suddenly turned to the left, rode fo
twenty rods at faster pace, and the
Icame to dead halt.
"Listen!' he whispered to the circl
around him, and each ear was straine
to catch the slightest sound; in tt
. course Of sixty seconds each man plainl
made out for himself that detachmel
lof Indians was passing them not ov,
l. three hundred yards away. Dan hs
lbeen warned not second too soon; b
for the swerve to the left there wou
have been q collision and butchery,
For three or four minutes the little bar
Isat like statues, and it was happy reli
: when the dwarf. whispered:
"Follow each other at walk?'
Seven midnight shadows crept slow
over the flo ower.sprinkled grass for loI
half hour; the horses we're hecomir
nervous and impatient, when all Of
sudden halt was made. Little Dan
mustang stood looking toward Fort NJ
lKayette, and he vas riderless. The OF
ers halted beside him, and after minu
the dwarf reappeared.
- "Over the ridge here in front OF US
, an Injun camp!' be whispered, "or
band of 1njuns breaking camp! Inju
are moving all along our front, aut
:. wolf couldn't sneak through! We mi
:. hide till they pass--foilow me softly"
He turned to the left again, follow
u, the base Of the ridge for mile. and
J, party entered a dry ravine with ban
from Eve to eight feet high. The b
might have been wet in the spring,
= it was dry then, and quite free from G
structions As soon as shelter was {
tanned Little Dan again disappeared;
was gone near five minutes this time,a