Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-07-19
aelistellaueuns Readiug.
A RED INDIAN REVENGE RAID.

! gan 10 prlck up Ills ears tlli SIol SiiSiitiS, g,
proving that was nearing the rendezvous.
. I looked eagerly toward to see how many
men poor Ad. had been able to collect for
this desperate errand.
! They were terribly few; / 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 a man would appear
out of the darkness and silently take his
place in the group. No greetings were Civ
en- only one tall hOrseman, on a powerful
roam, rode quietly from man to man, say
| ing a word to each. This was Mike Alison
who, in right of his reputation for cool
head and determined 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, | guess we won't wait any
| longer We must get to the 1njun's camp
before the moon rises, or they will spot us
like 80 many sheep. havn't much to say.
You all know what you are in for, l sup
pose. You all know that the odds against
us will be about ten to one, as believe the
Inuns number about two hundred and
mebbe MORE"
He paused moment, then said with a
perceptible effort, in a lower voice, "There
are some very young lads among yer, as
will hev many friends mournin' for 'em if
they get killed, an l say to those lads
home while We hev time, and leave them
| to do the business as has no one to care Il
cuss whether they live or die"
He paused again. No one stirred, but
some Of the ''young lads" grunted rather
contemptuously.
"No 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 give the word Now
! VamOS!"
| So we started on our errand of revenge.
Little did the trembling women, crouched
in the tents of the Indians think that sue
cor was so nigh. Still less did their cruel
captors 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 terrible
| in their stern determination to rescue 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.
"We are close to the camp. The first tif-
site side of the camp and charge in. The
rest dismount and creep forward from diff
erent 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 the Sec
ond Volley make for the tents where the WO-
men are. Fight to the death-give no quar-
ter"
Twas one of the last so silently slipping
from my saddle, with my bride over my
arm. l crept softly on until red glare
shone through the bushes in front of me,
and 1 knew I must 60 no further, but
crouch, and wait. l knelt behind rock
with a cooked pistol and unSheathed knife,
waiting for the signal
All how terrible it was, this suspense.
One seemed to live whole lifetime in those
awful few minutes. / could hear the weird
songs of the half-tipsy Indians mingled
with wells and curses, as if they were quar-
reling over their booty.
What was thato The signal? Aye there
it is. A long shrill whistle. Then the
thunder of the horses feet. A wild hOarse
howl of surprise and dismay, answered by
relentless volley from the repeating rifles.
In amOment more the Indians were fly
ing out of the bruShWood on every side. l
reloaded my repeater and again emptied it.
Then remembering the order to remount
after the second volley and make for the
tents where the women would be, l look
ed round for my horse. expecting to find him
gone No, there he stood snorting tiercely,
with dilated nOstrlS; under his feet the
mangled body of an Indian.
A moment more and l was galloping to-
wards the spot from which came the lnde-
scribablc roar of conflict. At first high rocks
intervened between myself 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 stike for. was at the
end of large open space. In all directions
were the camp fires of the Indians, but my
eyes were fixed upon one spot, where there
was a struggling mass Of figures, in the
midst of which rose the white tents. Not
a momentdid hesitate. Digging my spurs
into my horses sides, with shout | charg-
ed furiously at the thick mass of Indians
surrounding our little band.
The struggle was frightful and victory
seemed more than doubtful. Most of the
Indians were utterly surprised, and not
knowing how small a number they had to
contend with, had decamped at the first
shock, but sixty or seventy rallied, got their
arms, and being fror the greater part tipsy,
fought like incarnate fends. Those of our
men who had rifles had dismounted and
taking their stand in front of the women's
! tents, poured deadly and unccasing fire up
on the foe. We who had only pistols re-
manned on horseback and dashed hlther
and thither; shooting right and left, our
horses entering into the spirit of the fray as
much as their riders.
Backward and forward surged the battle.
Now it seemed as if the Indians must con-
quer; they swarmed on every side, their
War-Whoops filled the air. But just when
| it seemed almost vain to struggle further,
q stalWart figure on powerful roam morse
darted into the centre Of the mass of foes.
His stentorian, "Mike Alison to the rescue! !!
give it to 'em boys" rang out above the
yells of the Indians, and again the white
men rallied, and the redskins were driven
back. How long this lasted | cannot say.
The terrible strain and eXertion began to
fatigue me feartully. My horse had appa-
rentiy carried me from the thickest of the
fight, and was still standing painting heavi-
ly. Suddenly he started and gave feeble
shy. From the bushes in front Of me broke
three Indians, who, as soon as they caught
sight of me, made simultaneous attack.
had one shot left in my pistol and contrived
quite reached me. Then, indeed, it seemed
as if my time had come. Utterly exhaust
ed, with only knife, how could hope to
grapplc successfully with two powerful
foes? They came on, one at each side, both
armed with knives, Making last desper,-
ate effort, drove my knife into the breast
of the one on my left hand. At the same
moment felt the knife Of my other antag,,
Onist cut through my coat, WalStc0at ana
shirt-surely it would reach my heart? No.
The blade was turned too much outwards,