The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-07-05
A RED INDIAN REVENGE RAID,

After about an hours ride, my horse
began to prick up his ears and snort
| slightly, proving that / was nearing the
rendezvous. Hooked eagerly forward
to see how many men poor Ad. had
been able to collect for this desperate
errand.
There were terribly few; I counted
only fifteen when came up. We sat
motionless on our horses backs, waiting
| until the last moment for reinforcementS
to arrive.
Every few minutes man would ap-
pear out of the darkness, and silently
take his place in the group. No greet
ings were given; only one tall horseman,
on powerful roam, rode quietly from
man to man. saying a word to each
This was Mike Alison, the desperate
and veteran Indian fighter, who, in right
of his reputation for cool head and de-
termined courage, was tacitly accepted
by every one as captain.
Suddenly the silence was broken by
his deep voice echoing among the rocks
of the canon.
"Well, boys. l guess we won't wait
any longer. We must get to the Iniuns'
camp before the moon rises, or they'll
Tnat mGeh It to say :" 5a aa all heefSo heehow what yew
air in for, l suppose. You all know
that the odds against US will be about
ten to one, as l believe the Injups
number about two hundred, mebbe
more"
He paused moment and then said,
with a perceptible effort, in lower
voice, ''There are some very young lads
among yer, as viii hev many friends
mournin' for 'em if they get killed; an
say to those lads-go home while yer
hev time, and leave them to do the bus
mess as has no one to care cuss wheth-
er they live or die"
| He paused again. No one stirred, but
some of the young lads" grunted rath-
er contemptuously.
mo one goin'?" he resumed. "Well
then, boys, let's be off; don't make more
noise than you can help. Keep yer eyes
on me, and stop when l give the word,
now Vamosn'
So we started on our errand of re-
vsnge. Little did the trembling women,
crouched in the tents of the Indians,
| Chink that succor was so nigh. Still
less did their cruel captain dream of the
awful vengeance that was to overtake
them so speedily, as they sat drinking
the white mans whisky.
| Meanwhile nearer and nearer drew
the little band, small in number but ter
rible in their stern determination to res
cue the women or die.
| An hours silent ride over the desolate
prairie, or under the frowning rocks or
pine trees of the mira. Then sudden
halt. No voice now echoes among the
rocks, but stern whisper passed from
man to man.
1--WE are close to the camp. The first
| fifteen men follow Mike round 20 the
opposite side of the camp and charge
in. The rest dismount and creep for
ward from different points until they
come in sight OF the fires, then crouch
down with cooked rifles until Mike gives
the signal. Then shoot every redskin
that runs out. After second volley make
for the tents where the women are
Fight to the death-give no quarter.
| / was one of the last, so silently slip
ping from my saddle, with my bride
over my arm, crept, softly on until a
red glare shone through the bushes in
front of me, and knew / must 60 no
further, but crouch-and wait. Iknelt
behind a rock, with cooked pistol and
unsheathed knife. Waiting, waiting,
! for the signal to begin.
Ah! how terrible it was, this sus-
pense. One seemed to live awhole life
time in those awful few minutes. /
could hear the weird songs of the half
tipsy Indians, mingled with yells and
curses, as if they were qEarrelling over
their booty.
What was that? The signalp Aye,
there it is. A long shrill whistle. Then
the thunder of horses feet. A wild,
hoarse howl of surprise and dismay, an
swered by relentless yolley from the
repeating rifles.
In moment more, Indians were fly
ing out of the brushwood on every side.
| reloaded, and again emptied it. Then
remembering the order to remount af-
ter the second volley and make for the
tents where the women would be, ]
looked round for my horse, expecting to
find him gone. No, there he stood, close
by, snorting tiercely, with dilated nos
| trils; under his feet the mangled body OF
an Indian.
A moment more and was gallopine
towards the spot from which came the
indescribable roar of conflict. At first
high rocks interviewed between mysel1
and the scene of battle. But suddenly
it all broke upon my view.
pulled up for a second to get clear
idea of the best place to strike for.
was at the end of a large open space
| In all directions wero the camD-fires q