, 1883-09-15

give no quarterw
/ was one of the last, so silently
slipping from my saddle, with my
bride over my arm, crept softly on
until a red glare shown through the
bushes in front of me, and knew l
must go no farther, but crouch--and
wait. knelt behind rock, with
cooked pistol and unsheathed knife.
Waiting, waiting for the signal to
begin.
All! how terrible it was, this sus-
pense. One seemed to live a whole
lifetime in those awful fewminutes.
l could hear the weird songs of the
neutrality-suspicious. mingled with yells
and curses, asif they were quarreling
over their booty.
What was that ? The signal ? Ay,
there it is. A long, shrill whistle.
Then the thunder of horses feet. A
wild hOarse howl Of surprise and dis
may, answered by relentless vOlley
from the repeating rifles.
In a moment more Indians were
flying out Of the bushwood on every
side. stood up and fred my pistol
right and left with deadly effect. l
reloaded and again emptied it.
Then remembering the order to re-
mount after the second vollcy and
make for the tents where the women
would be, l looked around for my
horse, expecting to find him gone.
No, there he stood, close by, snOrting
tiercely, with dilated nOstrils under
his feet, the mangled body Of an
Indian.
a moment more and was gallOp-
ing toward the spot from which came
the indescribable noise of conflict.
At first high rocks interviewed be-
tween myself and the scene of battle.
But Suddenly it all broke upon my
view,
pulled up for a second to get a
clear idea Of the best place to strike
for. was at the end Of a large open
space. In all directions were the
camp-fires Of the Indians, but my
eyes were fixed upon one spot, where
there was struggling mass of figures
in the midst Of which rose the white
tents. Not a moment did | hesitate.
Digging my spurs into my horses
sides, with a shout, | charged furi-
Ously at the thick mass Of Indians
surrounding our little band.
The struggle was frightful, and
victory seemed more than doubtful.
Most Of the Indians, utterly surprised
and not knowing how small a num-
Der Of enemies they had to contend
with, had decamped at the first
shock, but sixty or seventy rallied,
got their arms, and being for the
greater part tipsy, fought like incar-
nate fiends. Those of our men who
had rifles had dismOunted, and TAX
ing their stand in front Of the wO-
mems tents poured deadly and un-
ceasing fire upon the foe. We, who
had pistols, remained on horse back
and dashed hither and thither, shoot
ing right and left, our horses enter
ing into the spirit Of the fray as much
as their riders.
Backward and forward surged the
battle. Now it seemed as if the In
dians must conquer they swarmed
on every side, their war-whoOps filed
| the air. But just when II seemed
almost in vain to struggle further a
stalwart figure on a powerful war
horse darted into the centre Of the
mass Of foes. Everything gave way
before his charge. His stentorian,
mike Alison to the rescue! give it
to 'em boys" rang out above the
yells Of the Indians, and ugain the
white men rallied, and the red skins
were driven back. How long this
lasted l cannot say. The terrible
strain and exertiOn began to fatigue
me fearfully. My horse had appar-
emily carried me from the thick Of
the fight and was standing still pant
ing heavily. Suddenly he started
and gave a feeble shy. From the
bushes in front of me broke three
Indians, who, as soon as they caught
sight Of me, made a simultaneous
attack. l had one shot left in my
pistol and cOntrived to shoot the fore
most Indian before they quite reached
me. Then, indeed, it seemed as il
my time had come. Utterly ex-
hausted, with only a knife, how
could l rope to grapple successfully
with two powerful foes? They came
on, at each side, both armed with
knives. Making a last desperate
effort, l drove my knife into the
heart Of the one on my left hand.
At the same moment felt the knife
Of my other antagonist cut through
my coat, waistcOat and shirt-surely
it would reach my heart! No. The
blade was turned too much outward,
and cutting a slight cash, it went
deeply into the leather Of my sad
die. Still was not out Of danger.
l had not strength enough left to
tear the knife from the man l had
stabbed, and my living foe was fresh
and vigorous.
But he had another enemy whom
he had not counted upon. ..
Suddenly saw his face contract
with agony, some unseen force was
dragging him downward. He disap-
peared. l felt my horse rear. 1
heard a dull, crushing sound, a deep
grOan, and alljwas still.
was safe, my life was preserved
by my horse, who had seized the In
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