Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-01

10 learn t-'e cause OF Lne alaTIn, n6 merely
pointed to what appeared to be huge bear
nearer approach to the object discovered to
their astonishment the grim visage of dead
Decotab, enveloped in the skin of a gigantic
bruin, who, thus disguised, had attempted to
reconnoitre the position of the frontiersmen
Frank now felt assured that they were
near their enemy, and followed their trail in
silence on the alert for their foe. On reach.
ing the summit Of knoll, they saw their
village before them-a collection of high
conical tents, made of dressed bufaloskins
sewed together and ornamented with rude
representations of the battle or the chase.
On the outskirts we're the squaws busily en-
gagged in the laborious occupations which fell
to their lot. Their infants, tightly bound to
straight strips of bark, were tied to small
bent over branches, which gently danced
them to sleep, and the boys Of village with
bow and arrow, were firing at the representa-.
tion of a Kansas hunter. In the centre of
the village, before the towering tent Of the
chief, sat the braves, smoking their toma-
hawk pipes with stoical gravity.
The white men looked at the priming of
their rifles, put their sharp hunting knives
between their teeth, and with deafening
yell rushed down through the frightened
squaws, ere the Decotabs could comprehend
what caused the alarm. Dashing into the
startled group of warriors with fierce war.
whoops, they dealt destruction around them.
The chief was the first slain, bravel defend.
ing himself and encouraging bis warriors,
who nobly struggled to avenge his death, but
all in vain.
Frank Bates fought like demon, but at
one time was nearly victim to a salwart
warrior. But glancing at his opponent,
Frank recognized in gay red handkerchief
around his head his marriage gift to his wife.
This added new strength to his body and
increased activity to his fury, as he seized his
assailant with his left arm, lifted him from
the ground, and at the same time with ner
vous force thrust his knife to his heart. This
decided the battle, for the remaining Deco
tabs, panic struck at the sudden attack,
rushed to the spot where their horses were
tethered ard escaped into the forest. Up
wards Of fifty dead warriors remained on the
field, and others erievously wounded, but not
a single white man was seriously injured.
The women and children fled to the woods,
and the whites found an abundance of plum.
der, comprising blankets, rich furs, horses.
dried meats and tents. But Frank Bates
felt sad at heart, for the sight Of this me.
mento of his wife made him fear she had
been tortured before perishing in the flames.
Night came on, and feeling positive that he
could not sleep, he volunteered to keep
watch. 1t was bright moon light night,
and as he was pacing his solitary round,
planning new schemes Of vengeance, he heard
q light step approach from the thicket.
Frank at first raised his rifle to shoot down
the intruder, but a secret influence led him to
call out "Who comes p
Are you a white man ?" was the reply, in
tones that produced an indescribable effect
upon the stout-hearted pioneer.
"Yes-and you p
II am Frank Bates wife, who was taken
prisoner over the Mississippi" and as she
spoke she advanced
The rifle fell to the ground, and Frank
stood as if under the influence of a magic
SPELL His hands were convulsively clinched,
his hair stood erect on his head, shver ran
through his frame and he tottered back sever
al paces But not so with the female, who
had recognized her husband as she drew near,
and now exclaimed as she threw herself into
bis arms:
Frank my own Frank! Do you not
know your wife?"
Yes, it was his long mourned bride, her
features stamped with sorrow, but still retain.
ing her early beauty. Mutual explanations
followed, and when the delighted wife learned
the safety of her boy, all hardships vanished.
1t now appeared that when the Indians had
entered Bates house, they saw keg of whis
Ky of which they drank freely, and then plum.
dered everything. removing the chest in their
researches. Soon two of them began to quar-
rel about the handkerchief Bates had seen
the day previous, and drawing their sea- p
knives, one speedily received a mortal stab,
and fell directly upon the trap.door, through
which his blood ran upon the hidden wife
She, believing that came from her husband,
shrieked aloud, thus betraying her place Of
concealment Dragging her forth, her cap
tors bound Fer, then rif1ing the cabin, applied
the torch. he body Of the slain Dacotah
was consumed, and over his bones Bates had
mourned as for those of his wife.
That day they packed the plunder upon
what horses the Decotahs had left, and start
ed for their homes which they regained in
safety. The proceeds of Frank Bates share
of the spoils enabled him to rebuild his
house, but this time close to that of his father,
and enclosed with high stockade. The
Decotahs, however, never returned, and in
course of time were driven to the far West.