Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-25

it took place they acted.
George and his followers had deter
mined to take such a final leave o.
their foes as would not be- forgotten
He and other partisan leaders in tn,
vicinity were in secret communicates
with Charlotte, impatiently awaiting
their opportunity On the evening OF
the l4th of October one of his scouts
came golloping in with joyful tidings
that the British were evidently prepar-
ing to decamp that night. Angus and
Burton instantly darted off to IN emf
hence not far from the house, and soon
two separate and distinct bontires were
blazing. Their torch seemed to kindle
numerous other beacons as far as the
eye could reach, until they appeared
nc larger than stars on the horizon. BY
these fires the hopes of the people
throughout the region were kindled.
Possibly, on the morrow, those now
hiding in forests might return to such
homes as were left to them, and others
begin TO rebuild from blackened ruins
a new shelter from wintry storms al
ready near.
Cornwa lis saw the ominous signs of
coming trouble and FASTENED his de-
parture. The movement was not a
quiet and orderly retirement, but a re-
treat begun and conducted in dire con-
fusion. 1t might have been "A disas-
trous rout had the hardy mountaineers
who defeated Ferguson hung upon the
rear and flanks that night. As it was.
the u~norganized populace of the coun-
try inflicted serious injury and gave
his Iordship such a distaste for the re
gion that neither he nor n other OIL
Ger ever led Il British force thither
again.
George with his followers, now num-
bering nearly two score, hung close
upon the British rear, ready, like
hawks, to swoop upon their prey. His
thoughts followed a wagon train, ear
rying the baggage and supplies of the
army. 1t was heavily guarded, and
there was no use of making any at
tempt upon it SO long rs the country
remained somewhat open, and permit
ted its escort to see It's asSailants. He
knew. however, that before long il
would have to enter IA timbered region
traversed by n narrow road, and he
laid his plans accordingly. Burton
was directed to take command of the
man body Of the partisans, to follow
the rear-guard us closely as he dared,
to keep up II calling fire and SO in
GREASE the disposition of the British
troops, already strong, to get ahead as
fast as possible. If they showed any
signs of giving way he vas to charge
them. Then, with Angus and a dozen
others, George made "A rapid detour,
struck II wood road in the forest and
cautiously, yet swiftly. approached the
wagon train somewhat in the rear of
the center. He and his mel were lost
in the shadows of the dense pines
which sighed mournfully in the night
as if presaging the bloody scenes soon
to be enacted. While the partisans
were hidden the numbering wagon train
was seen passing on the road in dim
outline.
Gus" he said, .'you and Eph.
Tompkins shoot two of the horses and
stop the train. The rest of us will then
act according to circumstances
The drivers were urging the horses
to the utmost, feeling that every foot
of progress was so much gained in the
rae for safety. A general sense of
apprehension, enhanced by the hurried
night departure. peryaacd every mind.
The beacon fires, the frequent rifle re-
ports in the distance added also to the
alarm Of the infantry who walked be-
side the wagons. Therefore when out
of the gloom of the adjoining forest,
leaped two flashes and horses fell,
stopping two wagons, the immediate
escort, recalling much bitter expert
ence, began to fear the worst.
An officer rushed up and ordered Il
charge in the direction of the shots.
He had scarcely spoken before he fell
under a bullet from Georges rifle.
Then a brave sergeant sprang forward,
crying Follow me-" Under his ex-
ample many rushed after him.
six steps forward aud give 'em a
volley; then all scatter" George or
dered.
The sergeant and two or three of his
men went down. Then the woods
rang with a score of shots from the
British infantry, but the dusky, flying
forms in the distance presented no tar
get.
Pressed upon by Burton and his con-
increasing band. the rear caval-
ry guard had, unconsciously, drawn
nearer and nearer the train. In the
breast of each man was IA secret i'm
pulse to get away from a region SO full
of hostility and danger, and this i'm
pulse had the effect of quickening the
retreat. When, therefore. the firing,
caused by George and his followers,
was heard, the commanding officer
found it easy to believe that it was his
duty to advance rapi.,y to the point of
attack. His order .'Trot. march, was
gladly obeyed.
Other orders were given, however,o on
which they had not counted. Burton,
keenly OF the alert. also heard the fir
ing. and saw the quick forward move
ment OF the dragons before him. IN
came his shout, Into the road,