The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1886-12-17

learn something OF Indian character,
there being scarcely day but that
he encountered some oil them,
and while many called him "brother"
and expressed the greatest admira-
ton for him, he felt that his scalp
would be no safer than any other
mans in case the redskins went on the
warpath. His decision to remain had
on sooner been taken than he began
preparations to defend his own. He
strengthened the single door to his
cabin, made loop-holes Mt different
points, and built heavy shutters for
the windows. The next move was to
make the roof reproof. By filling.
the spaces between the binders, which
ran )engthwise with the roof, with
earth. he very nearly accomplished
the object sought for.
The cabin stood on a knoll about
200 feet from a creek. Peter had only
one barrel which he could fill with
water. The log barn stood about 200
feet from the house, and that struct-
ure, OF course, he had no idea OF de-
Tending. II attacked by the Indians
they would probably shoot the stock
and set fire to the barn at once. His
preparations for siege had not gone
unnoticed by the Indians, who called
at tho cabin as usual and who seemed
to have anything but murder in their
hearts. They asked why he was going
to all that trouble, and he answered
that some bad white men had sworn
to have his life and he wanted to be
ready for them. 1t is doubtful il the
redskins believed his story, while on
the other hand he dropped no hint
that he anticipated any trouble.
When the various tribes were all ready
the war opened and they turned
themselves loose to kill and scalp.
For three days not an Indian APP
peared at Uncle Peters cabin,
nor did he see one in the
neighborhood. This he took as o
hint that their plans were about ripe
and he kept his weather eye open. On
the afternoon OF the day before the
warwhoop sounded he decided to turn
all his stock loose to run their
chances, and it may be said here that
he afterward recovered the oxen and
horses. As the sun went down he
barred the door, put the shutters up
to the windows and turned his faith
full dog outdoors that he might give
the alarm in case the Indians came
under the cover OF darkness to set fire
to the barn. The arms in the house
consisted OF rifle, double-barrelled
shotgun and revolver. Mrs. Nixon
had practiced shooting with revolv-
err, and though not good marksman,
she had considerable skill. The night
passed without the slightest alarm
ard the morning brought such a beau
rful day and everything seemed so
peaceful that bet een 8 and 10 o'clock
Uncle Peter determined to venture
out. One of the calves had returned
to the barn and when he lett the cabin
it was for the purpose OF driving it of
again. The calf moved around the
corner OF the barn as Nixon approach
ed, and just as he was turning the
corner after it five Indians in war
paint appeared before him. Each OF
his arms vas seized by u warrior, and
as he stood there too dazed and dumb
founded for % moment to speak or act,
the leader OF the Indians chuckled his
satisfaction and said: "Good. Little
Crow want you. Come long"
His words seemed to arouse Uncle
Peter from his trance. With yell
which could have bean heard above
any war-whoop he flung the two war;
riors to right and lett and seized the
leader In jiffy he had shaken him
loose from his weapons and slammed
him against the barn with awful
force. IL was little surprise party
for the Indians. you see, and before
they could rally the signor doubled
one up with kick in the stomach,
smashed another's face with blow OF
his fist, and after swinging the leader in!
the air and hurting him to the ground;
the cannon-ball man made q run for
the cabin and reached it without being
fired at. After the uprising had been
subdued and peace restored, he was
told that the plan was to capture him
alive for torture. In his tussle with
them he broke one Indians arm and
severely bruised two Others.
When Uncle Peter dashed into the
cabin he made his wife acquainted
with the situation in word and they
picked up the guns and went to the
ioop-holes to watch the enemy. The
Indians retired and did not appear
again until night had fully settled
down. Then ten or twelve OF them. who
carried the trunk OF small tree for q
battering ram, boldly approached the
door. Uncle Peter and his wife OPEN
ed fire. The report OF the firearms
were followed by screams and yells
and groans. and the log was dropped