The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-01-22

alarm to show that our presence in the
plades had been discovered. We knew
that we were near the haunts of "Sam
Jones'" or Arpaka, the oldest chief in
the Seminole nation, and of Chikiki,
the giant fishing chief, who was sup
posed to be at the head of the party
that committed the massacre we were
now to avenge.
All day, resting and sleeping as much
as we could, we laid by. eating cooked
provisions, making no fire. and waiting
tor night to cover our further move
ments. And right glad we were when
it came, and just cloudy enough-not
too dark-to cover our approach to the
island. which We knew was occupied.
Every man was now on the alert. Arms
were inspe ted, orders given to keep
ia line until close to the sland. Then
certain detailed boats were to lay OFT
around it TO cut of ESCAPE, while three
/ nGing parties were la advance and
-urnrisc the enemy. not shot to be
tired until We were discovered by the
Indians. Then" said Harney. with
bitter oath, "go for work. Kill or
capture all ynu see-young or Cd, he
or she. Spare llicm only as they spar
ed ny liotlr boys over on the Caloosa-
hatchie!
On. SLOWLY :.tIi steadily. muftied pad
dies rising amt fa!liny with measured
cadence. We pushed through shallow
water and stitt saw-graSS. 1t was not
more than ark CT sc en- miles. appar-
emily that We had 70 60. yet We were
till near midnight getting into position
for action, close up to the tree-coSered
island We had so far heard no sound
except the occa ionai Eelp OF some lQs
dian dog on the island. But now, un.
derstanding the orders, the officers OF
each detachment moved forward.
Harney and his dragons. with car
bines, took the center. the artillerymen,
armed with muskets, the right; the ma
w men the left, supplied with United
States Yager rifles.
Soon the landing parties were on
shore. Yet no sound of alarm. ''Fofs
ward" came the order, passed in whs-
pers from officer to man, along the
line. On-and soon q scent OF smoke
greets our nostrils. Still onward. and
q chorus of yelping ours break the still
ness of the night.
''Forward-,foubleqn qnick.
Then In few seconds We bu st into
q village of palm-thatched houses.
with smaldering fires aro md and among
! them, and o. horrible yell and S. alter
| ing fire from the sfartle iredskias greet
us as we rush in, firing as we go. 1t
was the quickest bit of work i ever saw,
vet TIE surprise was so complete that it
was hardly like fight. Fifteen or
twenty shots Oh their side. full volley
on ours, and we had nothing more to
shoot at, for all who were not down,
dead or wounded, fell to the earth in
submission, except four or five, who
fed off in the dark mess among the trees
and shrubbery. Among these was seen
the gigantic Chikika, dropping his ride
| from broken arm as he ran. A ave
private in the I'd drago,ns-his name
was Hull, and he was made a sergeant
| soon after-saw Chikiki as he ran, and
followed, carbine in hand. He never
lost sight of the chief. ut kept on until
he could get sure shot. Wounded
and bleeding Chikika found he could
not escape He halted, threw up his
LETT uninjured hand, and cried out in
his broken English:
mo shoot! me good Injun--heaI
| good! No shoot"
| Take tn t for CalOoSahatchlc!
shouted Hall, as he sent ball through
the chiefs heart. An instant later he
tore the scalp from Chikika's head, ant
then ran back to the vii age to present
it to Col. Harney. The colonel Wa.
standing by some wounded officers anc
men of the comma d looking sternly Al
the group of terrified prisoners and )
small rile of tead aud dying Indians.
Bring that coil of rope from my
boatr' he cried ont 10 one of his men
land be - quick about it. Vel
have hanging-bee before sunrise!'