Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-02-16
Tha Soout,s Last Shot.

honey-bees are darling over the prairie
in search of the sweet flowers, butterflies
float on lazy wings, and birds are sing
ing their sweetest songs. 1t Is a scene
of deepest peace. Away to the right Is
the Little Bear range OF mountalns-to
the left of the prairie ocean extends as
far as the eye can reach. len mics
ahead is grove OF cOtton-woOds and a
spring-behind are thirty halt-naked
savages on horseback.
Here is frontier scout as the pivot
on which the scenery swings. On his
way from fort 10 fort with dispatches,
his trail has been struck by war party
of Pawnees, and they have hung TO 1t
since dark last night, following it across
the leyelsand over the swells at a slow
but never ending gallOp. They knew
that he was full hundred miles from
help, and they knew that his bloody
scalp would add another to their many
trophies.
You're a rubbed out man" said the
scout, as he looked back at dusk and
saw them coming at slow gallop over
his trail. They could not have over
taken him in dash of two miles, but in
a gallop of fifty they would tire him
out.
At an easy gallop OF five miles an
hour the mustang forged ahead through
the long and weary night, changing his
pace only when the rider got down and
ran beside him.
Two miles behind him, riding thirty
abreast and covering front OF hall
mile, followed the implacable foe, gain.
ing little, losing little; but ever conf
dent.
When the sun came up from his
prairie bed not savage was missing.
The scout turned in his saddle and
counted them, looked ahead Tor land
marks, and coolly said:
"You took the chances, and you have
lost, but you will die game"
The mustang was almost blown. For
the last half hour he had labored heavily
and had almost been held up by the
bits.
"The grove would have been better
place. but the end would have been the
same" said the scout, rs he drove up
and dismounted.
The Indians were two miles away. In
ten minutes they would be within rifle
shot.
Goodbye, old pard-I must do it,"
said the scout, as he took hold OF the
mustangs head and drew his knife
across the faithful equine's threat.
He wanted breastwork, and here he
had it. Two minutes were time enough
10 cut bride and saddle to pieces, and
then he mounted the body OF his dead
friend and calmly awaited the approach
Of the Indians.
70 shout OF triumph was sent across
the prairie as he was brought to bay.
That had been strange chase. They
had suddenly appeared on his trail
without a sound, seeming TO rise on. OF
some tissure in the tlOwer-covered
prairie. Not once through the long
night had the scout heard from them
except as he dropped from the saddle
and placed mis- ear TO the ground. But
for the steady thrd, thud, OF their
horses feet. lie might have almost made
himself believe that he was being pur-
sued by shadows.
sixteen bullets i'll this Winchester,
and six in the revolver" soliloquized
the scout, as the Indians were within
mile 81 the spot Did they mean to ride
him down? Each rider was bent over
his horses neck, and each kept the pace
he had had for hours.
"My scalp is worth the scalp oil ten
Indians" said the scout, as he raised
his rifle, "bTt mebbe IIcan't get over
six or seven"
Straight at him rode the line Of thirty
red skins until be raised his rifle for a
shot
Then the band divided right and left
and inclosed him in a circle. Not a
shout from any tongue. Ii might have
been called still hunt.
The line vas out OF ritle-shot at first,
but it gradually worked nearer, and at
last the report OF the scouts rifle broke
the stiffness Of the morning.
Twenty nine left - ha said as he
threw out the empty shell.
Not a shot came from the Indians in
reply. Every warrior threw himself on
the opposite side of his horse, and the
hardy ponies followed the circle at a
steady gallop.
"Twenty-eight LETT said the scout, as
he fred again.
No shout or SHOT in reply, but the cir
Gle was growing narrower.
"Twenty-seven left!'
Three OF the horses in the ring were
galloping without riders.
Twenty. six left"
The scout had fired coolly and deliber-
ately. shooting every victim through
the head. His rifle had longer range
than those of the Indians, but now they
were near enough to open in reply.
"THentv-fve left" he said. as anoth-
or savage fell into the grass with wild
scream OF rage aud pain.
Five of the thirty were dead. Now
veil runs around the circle, and every
horse turns his head towards the COM
mon center and charges the scout.
puff! bang. puff! bang! bang! bang!
Three horses went down, and two
more riders fell backward from their
saddles
"Twenty-three leftl' counted the
scout, as he dropped the gun and level
ed his revolver.
They were upon him. They shot at
him, struck at him, and tried to ride
over him.
Puff! bang puff! bang" :,
Five shots struck men or horses, and
when the hammer fell for the sixth time
it sent the last bullet into the brain oil
the scout.
Nine Indians were lying dead around
the pivot, three more were wounded,
and five or six horses were disabled. All
this for single scalp, and the glory OF
shooting brave mans dead body full OF
arrows, cutting off his head, hands and
feet, and shrieking like demons as the