The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-01-29
III cellaueous.
A TALE OF THE BORDER
BY WIN. ROBERTSON

From the Courier. Journal
In 1860 the settlers along the banks of the
Big Wichita" in Western Texas, had been
excited 10 a pitch bordering on frenzy For
long time the COmanche Indians had been
committing depredaIions of fearful clarac-
ter, and it was evident that an open warfare
must ensue. The savages must be cXtermi-
mated, or nearly so, else the white settlers
would be driven away from their homes or
butchered upon their thresholds. A settle
ment Of some thirty cabins had been formed
upon the banks of the beautiful Big Witch
ta," and for its protection and the safety of its
inhabitants in the case of an attack, block
house had been erected on the banks of the
stream. Ii was strong building, surround
ed by high Stockade fence, and from within
u handful of brave, determined men could
defend themselves against Il large number of
their savage foes. 1t was well supplied with
provisions and ammunition. The settlers
had been constantly expecting an attack, and
We're busily engaged in removing the women
and children and light articles of household
goods. Scarcely had the settlers, with their
families, secured themselves within the stock
AIDED fort when the scouts came in, bearing
the remains of one of their neighbors, who
had lived some three miles to the westward
The body had been horribly mutilated, but
was recognized to be that of Albert Fenton,
Il gentleman esteemed by all who knew him.
He had left home few hours before to look
after his horses, and this was all that remain
ed to tell the story of his murder. Revenge
was pictured upon every face, and each hand
clasped tighter the rife it held. Then the
shout burst forth death to the Red
Devils Death TO the Comanches !"
"And so say l." repeated Col. WILDER
boys; they are strong, we are weak at pres
ent, but think the Rangers who are coming
to Join us will be here tomorrow. They are
in camp ten miles down the valley now We
must all remain in the stockade to. night
When the Rangers get here we will march
into the very heart of the enemy's country,
and with rifles and knife teach the red fiends
lesson they will never forget" wild
cheer followed This brief address, and scarce
ly had the echoes died away in the grand old
tor est when the wild shrieks of women and
children were heard, as they came running
out of the block house in the widest confu-
sion and fright, running i'll all directions to
escape fury that the settlers had not seen !;
but thev understood at once that the savages
were at their fiendish work. The flying
women were met and questioned. They stat.
ed that the savages had got within the stock
ado unobserved, while the settlers were view
ing the remains of Fenton, and were even
then setting fire to the block house That
this was true now became apparent to all,
for the flames were seen to leap up, inclosing
the main building within the stockade. For
ward, men look well to your arms" COM
manded Col Manning. In few moments
they had reached the main building, which
was now burning mass. 1t was found i'm.
possible to save it, so completely was the
building encircled in the devouring clement
having evidently been ignited at many places
at the same time. But the Indians who had
succeeded in entering had departed as quick
ly as they came, knowing that certain death
would follow their capture within the stock
ade. All their provisions and almost all of
their ammunition was destroyed by the
flames The savages for once had completely
out-witted them. Something must be done
or they were lost. They knew that they
were surrounded by hundreds of Comanches,
who only waited for nightfall to make an at
tack knowing that the settlers could not
hold out long against such superior numbers
without assistance. If Capt. Fords Rangers
only knew of their danger they could reach
them in time. "There is but one plan of re-
| lief" said Col. Manning, Tonight some one
must go through that stretch of woods"
| pointing to the forest land down the valley
| 10 ora ISdUBCES. Dut IL is i've miles
through the forest" said one, land it's swarm.
ing with Indians. We are completely sur
rounded and 'twould be certain DEATH" II
think not" growled the old Colonel. "Ive
been in forests twenty miles wide and Indians
thick as hops all around me-" ut isn't the
danger, Colonel, our boys have been too well
| tried on that score for us to question will or
bravery" spoke Capt. Moor, but it will be
certain death to those unacquainted with
the forest, the fiendish arts of Indians, and
above all, their language, do not know
of Il man who can speak the Comanche Ian.
guage that's fitted to go otherwise" 81 will
&C" said u clear, firm voice, All looked
in mute surprise at the speaker, Jennie
Moor Jennies father Chen quite old had
lived long on the border, and she had no re-
membrance of other home than the border
She could ride the widest mustang handle
the rifle skilliully, or drive canoe across the
rushing waters of the Big Wichita, equal to
n Comanche brave, and, from years of friend