The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-02-05


whence the sound of our rifles should
be heard in camp and quickly bring
some of our comrades to our assistance
ere the party we had seen could over
| take us.
My thoughts would dwell on the sig
nal smoke | had seen, and [ warily
watched and avoided, so far as possible,
the occasional shallow riffs, left by some
former deluge, that might serve as
places of ambuscade to our implacable
foes.
elf we only might gain some shelter,
the case would not appear so desper-
ate," thought; for in all probability
we could defend ourselves against the
enemy until succor should come. But
here, on the open plain, we were at the
mercy of the Indians, and would be sur
rounded, scalped, and our bones be left
to whiten on the desert sands.
Such thoughts as these filled my
mind as l glanced back every few mo-
ments at the pursuing band of redskins,
each time to see them nearer, and COM
ing on with the rapidity and ease of a
prize runner at Gilmore's. What Bob
thought of the situation [ knew not
He was pulling on vigorously, and his
face wore an expression l had learned
to interpret as one Of great determine
ton.
Bob would die hard Both of us
would die hard l knew; and more than
one savage would fail to be in at the
''lifting" of our hair. Bob and l had, as
yet, not much experience in the strata
gems of the willy foe. In after years we
should have saved our wind, and coolly
kept the enemy at bay with our long
range rifles.
We had run some three miles, when a
whoop ON our left caused us to glance in
that direction, where we beheld another
horde of savages, with yells and gesticu-
lations, bearing swiftly down upon us,
and not more than quarter of mile
away.
Our worst fears seemed now about
to be realized. We were already pref
ty well exhausted, but our speed SEN
sibly increased under this new incen-
tive. Yet We knew it could not last.
Something besides running had now
to be done, and at once. Two of the
Indians were outstripping the rest, and
rapidly nearing u.s. Bob and were of
one mind, for, without speaking, we
slackened our pace. After getting our
breath little, we agreed on plan of
action.
The two foremost savages were now
within range, one leading the other by
two or three rods, and suddenly coming
to halt, l faced them and delivered
my shot, with the best aim was capa-
BILE of, at the nearest. 1t missed him,
but the second Indian, CHANGING to be
in the line of fire, fell bowling and kick
ing on the sand. The Indian in the lead
retreated to his fallen comrade, and
instantly reloaded and turned toward
Bob, who, in continuation of our plan
OF operations, was to fire in his turn
Bob was cool, true shot, and dropping
on one knee, he sighted at the Indian
who, seeing the motion, began dancing
about at a great rate, at the same time
making off toward his companions.
After following his movements a mo-
ment, Bob fired, and the savage fell
backward never to rise again.
"There, l feel BETTER said Bob, ris-
ing and showing home cartridge.
"Those two won't be likely to trouble
us again. Oh, if we only had some
rocks or trees to get behind now! But
there isn't as much as a twig for bird
to light upon on these accursed sand
heaps" he continued, emphasizing his
remarks by contemptuous thrust of a
United States army No. 9 brogan into
said soil.
While Bob was talking, my eyes had
been on the Indians, but my thoughts
were travelling over the route we had
come that afternoon from camp. l re-
membered that we had passed a small,
rocky elevation, caused by the washing
of the soft soil from led e once wholly
covered by earth, thus leaving exposed
a ridge of broken, crumbling sandstone.
Where was this ledge? Might we not
yet gain the protection of these jagged
spurs? 80 ~,
=" Bob!" I shouted, at length, as we
again moved briskly on, ssdid YOU
notice the rocky ridge we passed COM
ing outP''
Ha! yes; remember it.. Just the
place we want. But where was it? l
couldn't tell to save me from wonder
bowling imps. l wonder what's the
matter with them now?" replied Bob,
glancing over his shoulder at the Indi.
ans. :" They have joined their forces;
just what thought; they'll be after us
fierce now," he added.
"Well, let them comet We are sure
to reach the ledge. Follow me; l know
exactly where it lies," I cried, taking
the lead.
| Our pursuers, now increased to the
number of twenty-five or thirty, were
again coming on at a swift pace, but
cheered by the anticipation of shelter
near at hand, we held our own in the
race for some time. Then another well
directed shot from Bob checked their
speed until, amid the most fearful whoop
from the baffied foe, we gained the ledge
and took refuge among its crumbling
pinnacles.
The disappointed savages, after halt
ing moment, evidently for consulta-
ton, spread themselves out, completely
encircling our little fortress, and with
wild yells made feints of rushing in
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