The Red Cloud chief., 1880-03-11

o 30 liz wee s11eiy
s!!I!'S 4 T., T. !: :: e e !
be done, and at once Two Of the
Indians were o~utstripping the rest, and
nearing ". Bob and ] were of
one mind, for, without speaking, We
slackened our pace. After getting our
breath a little, we agreed on q plan Of
The two foremost savages were now
within range, one leading the other BY
two or three rods, and suddenly coming
TO a halt, | faced them and delivered
nv shot, with the best aim l was capa-
BILE Of, at theraesrrst. 1t missed him,
but the second Indian, CHANGING 10 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 I
instantly reloaded and turned toward
Bob, who, in continuation of u plan
of operations, was To fire in his turn.
Bob was a cool, true shot, and dropping
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-
meut. Bob fired, and the savage fell
backward nsyer 30 rise again.
"ners,l feel better, . said Bob, ris-
ing md showing home . cartridge.
sThose two wont be likely to trouoie
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 a bird
to light upon on these accursed sand
heaps" he continued, emphasizing his
remarks by a 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-
mcmbered that we had passed a small,
rocky Ssyatfon, caused blythe washing
If the opat soil from . ledge nee wholly
covered by earth, thus leaving exposed
a ridge Of broken, crumbling sandstone.
Where was this ledgeP Might we not
yet gain the protection of these jagged
spurs?
"Bob!" l shouted, at length, - We
again moved briskly on, "did you
notice the rocky ridge we passed com
ing OutP"
"Ha! yes: I remember It. Just the
place we want But where was itp /
couldn't tell to save me from yonder
bowling imps. l wonder what's the
matter with them now?" replied Bob,
glancing over his shoulder at the lnd-
ans. osThey have joined their forces
Just what | thought; they'll be after Us
fierce now," he added.
SWELL, let them come! We are sure
to reach the ledge. Follow me; l know
exactly where it lies" l cried, taking
the lead.
Our pursuers, now increased 70 the
number of twenty-five or thirty, were
again coming on at a swift pace, bud
cheered by the anticiDotion of shelter
near at hand, we he14 our own in the
race for some time. Then another vel
directed shot frOmaBOb checkod their
speed until, amid the mOstfearfo1s hoor
from the baf1ed foe, we gained the ledge
and took refuge among its crumbling
p~innacles. 80 =.
The disappointed ssyages, after halt
ing a moment, evidently for consulfa,
ton, spread themselves out, completely
encircling u little fortrsss, aail
Wild wells made f6on15 u rusIt9
upon us, discharging showers ofasfQg
Zthat = Ear short Of their markAms
I~Fe thought they were going td
EeRou pon Ms It once, and disposed
lnn YES to sell cur lives as dearly q
wfble. But they were only amusing
themselves, o tyring to, atour expense
and one, venturing within range, to ex'
hfbit peculiar antics, expressive OF con
Etsmpt for white mensGensfallys received
4 compliment in return, from BOb's
skillful hand, that rolled himzupon the
sand, and caused the whole party to
withdraw to a more cur distance,
Then there ensued a scene characteristic
of all the Soufhwestorn Indians. "A cir.
Gle was formed around the body of the
fallen brave, and . brawny savage,
probably the Chief, began harranguing
the cowardly crowd, eliciting yells Of
rage and GEief as he pointed alternately
In oar difSctiOn, Or &C the dead warrior
fath Ms feet. AMHU
He was, doubtless, endeavoringte in
cite his timid audience to Drawer deeds
than they had yet exhibited, and NJ
watched, with cof4edkabls an1iety, tht
result of his e1ncts. sSuddenly, st thi.
juncture, our attention was called to the
unnatural darkness which, in a moment
time, as itseemed to us, SO absorbed haC
we been IN Observing the movements O
!ths enemy, fell like agreat black pal
over the gloomy plain.
A vast cloud extended from west t.
east across the heavens. The sun hat
gone behind its Rssternlinit, vtingin(
the mountain-like heights Will 3 rim o
brightest gold, terminating with a deel
fringe of amber; while earthward,
wild, lurid appearance betokened tn
fierce strife of winds. 3A
ave are going to have a tempest
Bob," / observed.
/ = Acpeit Win blo~ yenaer red fend
clear across the desert, then" Bob Re
piled, looking around. ssBut look thero
What is thatp A s~andspout, by heavens
a monster too; Iv1ever saw any thins
like that before" cfied Bob starting NJ
in excitement.
Nor had I ever seen the. like. Ap
A0i4Ea slkaWms3k 1o1y1n Oul
Yofcec1 Was2 monst6r Whirlwind
reaching from the darkened earth t,
the pall-like cloud above, wheeling an,
eddying in vast circles as it Tapped ~
in its rapaciousfo fold hslightdaSeRf&,
arid plain.
The advance of the terrible visitan
was extremely grand and sublime. 1t
! propQrtions were massive and awe-in
Spiring rs sEsteady ahdare
sistless as the onward sweep of count
less bison, but far more swift. The up
per portion was as clearly cut and de
fined - theeast}s1 doznes Of the Colon
ado. and wore2b dfid, yenowish hue
the whole heavens being now Of th
same unearthly color. Close to tn
ground it bnlged4r6sdH Ike m in
verted tunnel; and huge, c~avern-Ik
-recesses opened in rapid succession
l2mid the reyolYing mass. A dull roar
mc<&&6uN4 nm r~ushinszlDeWl
Roebdth4tm nj est6 Approaches =
rresisuble desert monster