Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-04
THE "H0RNET'S NEST"
AN HISTORICAL STORY OF LOVE
AND WAR.
By E. P. Roe, Author of Opening Of a
Chestnut Burr" Barriers Burned
Away" Etc, Etc.

CHAPTER III.


and endurance on the part of the horses
for the pursuing force SO far outnum-
bercd the partisans as to render re-
sistanc" hopeless. Unfortunately. the
vicinity was open and the road bor-
dered by high stone walls; therefore
there was no chance to distract the enc
my by dispensing and seeking conceal
ment.
The intrepid Graham reincd in his
horse and took his place at the rear of
the flying column, seeking, as was his
custom, the point nearest the enemy.
His brother George, Burton and Angus
followed his example and kept near
his side. The face of the young major
was pale and stern, showing that his
headlong flight was CALLING in the cx
rene. His hand was often on his
saber hilt AS if it was hard for him TO
resist the impulse to turn upon the en-
envy. Tears were again in Angus
eyes: and he believed he must die, for
he saw that the British troopers were
gaining upon them. With logged res
o%lution, however, he kept his eyes on
he major that he might obey the least
sign. Again the supreme thought of
duty, and his purpose TO do it. no mat
ter how greatly he shrunk and trcmbled,
stood him in good stead. keeping him
at the post of honor and danger. Bur-
ton was in Il rage, his hot blood chat
Ing ut the necessity of flight. His eyes
however, were often and wist.ullv
turned upon Ella brother. To cool
George Graham the affair was taking
on the aspect Of q problem. His gray
eyes from time to time measured the
distance that interviewed between them
and their pursucrs. and then searched
the road in advance for a piece of
woods in which they could scatter, but
only flying forms were seen Obscurely
through clouds of dust.
Nearer and nearer Numbered the
British troopers, their hoarse shouts
and yells becoming every moment more
terribly distinct.
'Joe, they are gaining on U.s., said
George, quietly.
81 know it. l wouldn't mind il for
myself SO much, but | can't endure to
see my men cut up. Save yourself
anyway you can, Ali! they are begin
! ming to fire on us
IL say, ice. Gus McIntire has n
fresher horse than any of us. Send him
forward with orders for each man to
save himself IS best he can. 1t will give
the boys a chance
Glad YOU reminded me. Ensign
Mclntire, ride swiftly up the line and
say. in passing, each man for him.
self"
The boy spurred forward, shouting
the order in his terror, his fine, fleet
horse carrying him eventually to the
head of the line. Henmed in by fences
rs they were, nothing yet was left for
the hard-pressed partisans but to con
tinuc straight on.
The horses of the pursuers were in a
frcshcr and better condition than those
of the pursued. and now, after a keen
run of nearly two miles, the enemy
gained rapidly. Bullets began to fly
in increasing numbers among the parti-
sans, and now and then "a poor fellow
went down.
"Ah." came from the major in invol-
untary exclamation.
Are YOU hit. Joe?' asked George.
Eyes, twice. You and Craigc save
Yourselves if you can. It's up with
me. | can merely sell my life dearly
when they catch up and he Grew his
sabcr.
Georges only reply "a TO draw his
also. At that moment Burton's horse
on the other side went down and the
young fellow was thrown violently isto
the ditch by the roadside, where he lay
motionless.
Curse the red devils.' muttercd
George, with n swift glance at his
friend, but he rode on, watchful of his
brother.
He and the major were falling be-
hind. for the latter had ceased to spu,
his horse. ard was confused from the
shock of his bullet wounds. The yell'
OF the foremost rursucrs were III Their
very ears. Eut a few more leaps OF
their horses would bring them abreast.
Great clouds of dust rose up, through
which George, looking over his
shoulder. saw obscure forms anc
cleaning sabers.
81 am hit again cried the major
ely George, fly! | shall fight and die
here and he partially turned hi,
horse 10 carry OK his purpose.
At that instant a pistol bullet struck
Georges horse, End, stung with tn,
pain, he leapcd forward Il dozen PAGES
bevonc control. As the brave young
fellow turned with the impulse to tigh
and die with his brother, he saw hin
90 down under what seemed man,
saber strokes and then the dust hid hin
from view: With the celebrity of ligh
the thought flashed through George
+, mind. Il can do nothing and in tina
moment of obscurity he flung himsel
, from his horse. crawled to the roadsid