The Opelousas courier., 1883-12-01


and closed the gates in time to keep
the Indians out. But to their horror
they then saw that their wives and
children were shut out too. Unable
to run a fast as the men, they had
fallen behind, and now the Indians
were between them and the gatesl
Seeing that he had missed his chance
Of getting possession Of the fort,
Francis turned upon the women and
children with savage delight in the
thought Of %butchering. these helpless
creatures in the sight of their husbands,
fathers and brothers.
1t was a moment of terror. There
were not half enough white men in the
fort to master SO large a force of
Indians, and if there had been it was
easy to see that by the time they could
get their rifles and. go to the rescue it
would be too late.
At that moment the hero of this bit
OF history came upon the scene. This
was a young man named Isaac Haden.
He was a notable huntsman, who kept
a famous pack of hounds-fierce
brutes. thoroughly trained to u down
and seize any living thing that their
master chose to chase. The young
man had been out in search of stray
cattle, and just at the moment when
matters were at their worst, he rode
up to the fort followed by his sixty
dogs.
Isaac Haden had a cool head and a
very daring spirit. He was in the
habit of taking in a situation at q
glance. deciding quickly what was to
be done, and then doing it at any risk
that might be necessary. AS soon as
he saw how the women and children
we're placed, he cried out to his dogs,
and at the head of the believing pack
charged upon the flank of the Indians.
The dogs did their work with a spirit
equal to their masters. For each to
Size a red warrior and drag him to the
earth was the work of a moment, and
the whole body of savages were soon
in confusion. For a time they had all
they could do to defend themselves
against the unlooked-for assault of the
fierce animals, and before they could
beat off the dogs the men of the fort
joined in the attack, so that the women
and children had time to make their
way inside the gates, only oneo of them,
a Mrs. Phillips. having been killed.
The men, Of course, had to follow
the women closely, as they were too
weak In numbers to risk a battle out
side. IL they had done so, the Indians
would have overcome them quickly,
and then the fort and everybody in it
would have been at their mercy, SO
they hurried into the fort as soon as
the women were safe.
But the hero who had saved the
people by his quickness and courage
was left outside, and not only So. but
the savages were between him and
the fort. He had charged entirely
through the war party, and vas now
beyond their line, alone. and with nc
chance of help from any quarter.
His hope of saving himself was
very small, indeed; but he had saved
all those helpless women and little
children, and he was a brave enough
fellow to die willingly, for such apur.
pose a that, If he. must. But brave
men do not give up easily, and young
Haden did not mean to die without .
last effort to save himself.
Blowing d loud blast upon his hunt
ing horn to call his remaining dogs
around him, he drew his pistols-one
in each hand-and plunged spurs into
his horses TANKS. In spite of the mum.
bers against him. he broke through the
mass Of saVages. but the gallant horse
that bore him fell dead as be cleared
the Indian ranks. Haden had fred both
his pistols, and had no time to load
them again. He was practically IN
armed now, and the distance he still
had to go before reaching the gates
was considerable. His chance d
escape seemed smaller than ever. but
he quickly sprang from the saddle. and
ran with all his might, holly pursued
and under d terrific fire from the rides
Of the savages. The gate was held !
little way open for him to pass, and
when he entered the fort his nearest
pursuers were so close at his heck
that there was barely time for the mer
to shut the gate in their faces.
Strangely enough, the brave youns
fellow was not hurt in any way. Five
bullets had passed through his clothes
but his skin was not broken. TIL
Indians retired bafled.
AGONTEs or CRIcTFIxIOK.
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