Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-08-21
AN HISTORICAL STORY OF LOVE
AND WAR.
BY E. P. Roe, Author Of Opening of a
Chestnut Burr" Barriers Burned
Away" Etc, Etc.
copyrighted 1885, By Z. Z. Roe.
CHAPTER Ii.
Az HFROtC DEED.

kpulse he drew off his men and retired
rapidly by the great Salisbury road.
Major Graham whose small force was
made up chiefly from heneighborhood,
was ordered to cover this retreat as far
as possible, and began a running fight.
which. with occasional respites, did not
end until the next day.
George Graham acted as his brothers
aid, and Burton and Angus aimed to
keep as near the major rs they could
during the next eventful hours. The
gallant young officer had won their I'M
bounded admiration, and they felt that
under his immediate eyes and direction
they could do the most effective SER
vice, while at the same time learning Il
soldiers duty from II master. Little
(as left for them during the remainder
Of the night beyond the tactics of the
Indians. They knew the ~by-paths, the
crossroads, the positions of natural
strength, where one man WAS worth u
dozen in the hilly, wooded region
through which passed the main high
way. Skirting this. they kept ir deep
shadows, and from behind tree, bush,
and rock their rifles flashed out Ii the
enemy made Z rush toward the spot
they were not there. Like swift shad-
ows they had spec ON through the
dusky forest. found time 20 load again,
and choose some other cover with u
path Of retreat leading rom it. Then
as the stubborn enemy approached they
would blaze away and be off. Thus
their British pursuers were harasscd III
front and on both tanks, and their
march was much i%mpeded. Their a "
alrv made dasheS here and there only
to be ~entanglcd in what seemed al
empty wilderness. Finally. there APP
peared TO be no other resOulce than for
the infantry to advance as rapidly ~
possible with haukers in the woods on
each side Of the road, 80 a. to drive the
singing. wasp-like partisars before
them. This, from superiority in num-
bcrs, they could easily do, bat only at
a constant loss and annoyance.
They had skirnisied mp Il long hill
to its very brow, and then Maj, Ora
ham ordered his bugler 10 sound swift
retreat. George, with Il small detach-
ment, in which were our friends, was
posted here. with orders To wait the
near approach of the enemy, 10 give
them "A volley, then 60 strike directly
into the woods aud let his men make
their way singly Or by twos and threes
to the brow OF the next hill. The
major having given his instructions,
gallopcd away after the rest OF his
force.
Angus and Burton determined 10
keep together, and, after delivering
their fire, to escape by M obscure path
which they had discovered leading to
the right from the highway.
The British, hearing the bugie recall,
and respited from the dropping, calling
fire which had thus far attacked Their
advance. came on rapidly. Georgt
Graham held his dogs of war in leash
too long, perhaps. They gave their
yollev and it was effective, and al the
same time it revealed but a small and
concentrated force. SO far from check
ING the deeply incensed enemy, they
came on with a rush in the nope OF nj
last striking those who had so lone
~, ri, INhir ,,.ffigan.
scattered. but pursuers were on then
heels. Angus led the way through the
path that had been decided upon. and
Burton and George Graham followed
although they tried to spur forward al
Wckless speed, the r%oughness and 90
security OF the path enabled vindIctive
enemies to gain upon them.
..Dismount, turn the horses loose and
switch them with a CAD. We must
take to the bush on foot" said George
rapidly, setting the example by his OWL
action. The horses plunged forward
down the side of the hill; the three
friends had scarcely time to creep into
a thicke. before half a dozen British
soldiers went running and stumbling
by. Then one Of them caught II glimpse
of q horse and fired. A neigh Of pair
showed that the poor animal was hit
and the pursui. was pressed more
holly.
A moment later George whispered
..Creep, crawl, sneak away. Now''
our chance. There'll be more her,
SOON
His words were true enough. Inc
shot brought a dozen more down me
path, but the young partisans Ia,
EN- hunters before they became sol
Wers, and now they crept away Amos
from under the feet of their enemies
who, intent upon the pursuit OF rider
less horses. passed noisily 10y. AT iaS'
the boys ventured to stand erect ane
dodge from tree TO tree and bnsh u
bush until they felt sufficiently secure
to stop and reload their rifles.
Were in n nice scrape now, saic
Burton. IL feel n good deal Ike |;
landed fish without my horse.
1--WE were in n worse scrape q ie"
minutes ago." replied George cooiiy'