Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-06-26
CHAPTER X.

Anxiety is the great enemy of sleep,
and the s'enemy' was pretty well dis
tributed over the camp for the remain
der of the night if wakefulness be any
sign. Jim Dane slept like babe,
though and Martha, who had worked
herself into nervous fret over the pro-
spective cattle stampede and loss from
tomorrow nights forewarned attack,
was irritated beyond measure at his
peaceful repose, and after two or three
unsuccessful attempts to arouse her
worthy spouse she dismissed him with
this malediction: "Sleep, then, you
old Crow bate! Nothing on airth could
keep you awake when your pesky con-
science lets you sleep. I'm glad | want
born fool and idiot into the bargain.
Sleep, Jim Dane, do You hear me?"
And he obeyed Martha, for wonder.
All things have an end and so did the
night Morning came, bringing with il
the promise of beautiful day, and
raising burden of uncertain fear from
the hearts of the company.
After breakfast they broke camp and
iourneyed on toward the mountains. If
worst come to fight, they were well
armed and understood Indian warfare
perfectly.
1t was accounted strange thing by
every one that Jim Dane did not take
up a swifter line of march with his fam
lily possessions and leave the towns peo-
pie behind. They knew he had no fear
of the Indians; and as for that, he would
not be as likely to attract attention alone
as if found with the prairie congrega-
ton, for experienced men among them
had given it out that the red men were
logging their trail some miles in the
rear, and everybody knew the going
forward of one family would not change
their base of operations. Be the cause
what it may, Jim staid with them; and
when Professor Cam was questioned on
the subject by the man in the back of
whose cart he rode, he said he guessed
Mr.. Dane was vi0lent man and rather
enjoyed being in at the 6eath-that he
probably cared more for the deGth than
he did for the game.
The Professor was right.
During the afternoon, Jim Dane man
aged to bring his horse along side of
Storms, and again preached the subject
of marriage with Sam. He wished her
to form an alliance with his son that
they might together return to the claim
just left behind; but she positively re-
fused to be party to the transaction,
and further declared that she would
leave the Dane family forever if he
pressed the foolish notion any further.
Jim said no more and allowed his an
imal to fall back from Storms pony.
He was angered beyond all reason at
her obstinacy in the matter, believing
as he did that no wrong idea could pos
sibly be born in his own immaculate, in
fallible mind. at must be that book
| fend, Cam was the outcome of his
short rumination.
At sunset the company went into
camp. The fires were lighted as usual,
and the heavy wagons were drawn in
circle completely about the spot, form
ing a network that could not be rode
through by approaching horsemen, if
any should so aspire.
AS the shadows of night crept over
the scene, horses feeding outside of the
wagon circle grew uneasy and often
raised their heads to sniff the air, while
the dogs howled dismalIy as il depressed
by coming calamity; but the fires
burned right merrily, and supper was
eaten with q relish such as only people
accustomed to danger could have ex-
| hibited at such a time.
After supper conference of the whole
camp was called. One of the men, Jim
Dane, laid before the people plan of
action to be used in the coming attack,
for no one doubted the warning of last
night even if it had been projected in
rather an unearthly manner; and if they
had doubted, the signs of the dav and
night were enough to satisfy. From
the action of the settlers horses it was
evident that the Crows were secreted in
the tall grass quite near at hand. The
moon, vet an hour high, reflected a pale
light over the land, and they knew that
in that hour all must be got in readiness.
The plan of action was this: At a
given signal. fifteen minutes before
moon-set. every fire was to be replen-
ished with fuel; then women and chill
dren were to retire quietly to a spot one
hundred wards west of the camp-the
attack was expected from the east-and
all the men were TO arm themselves,
mount their horses and form a circle
around the women and children.
Everything at the camp was to be left
undisturbed. This was agreed To-
All the horses were brought in and
saddled. every rife was unsluug and
charged The leadership was con-
, ferred upon Jim Dane. on account OF
} the acceptance of his plan of action
and not because he was the brayest Of
: them all. As Jim threw off his coat.
rolled up his sleeves. pulled his belt two
holes tighter, took from his bosom 8
long knife and thrust it in his belt, and
with rifle in hand mounted his big black
horse, he remarked sardonically: ..Yor
| fellows think good deal of Jim Dane