Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-09-11

other The mother. became 50 over
whelmed and faint at the thought OF
what her boy had passed trough, that
Angus said ''we won't tell any more
tonight. BE content and thankful
mother, Tor here we both are, safe and
sound. Let us tumble into bed. for |
feel rs if could sleep a week
Burton, holding Elias hand, had
been, during the last few moments, the
picture of sleepy happiness. Suddenly
he bowed his head upon her shoulder
and snored audibly. A loud laugh
from Angus and the little girls SO far
aw akened him that he stumbled after
the BOY to their room, and il Wa high
moo the next day before they shook off
their letbargy.
After a substantial dinner they
proved how quickly young. hcalthful
bodies can recover from the seyerest
strain and fatigue. Fuller details of
their experience were given, but the
present and future We're % rcplctc with
danger that the past was almost for
gotten in thoughts of what might hap
pen ut any ho;.r. Woeful tidings had
been brop -, from Charlotte and the
farm hor.s Gear the village. Some
dwellings h.l been taken possession of
and the inmates compelled to provide
for rough, brutal n,en who devoured
and appropriated everything; others
ried off, while not n few had been
burned. With the dispersion of Mai.
Graham'S force all organized resistance
had ceased, and the whole region APP
parently was ut the mercy of the in
yadcrs.
As these facts became clear, Burton
and Angus decided that il was their
duty to remain nj the house, and. by
ceaSeleSS vigilance. either to beat of "a
small number of marauders. or, If ont
numbered, 10 take the family TO place
of shelter and concealment in the
woods. Burton rode over to the plan
tation and put the place in charge of n
trusty overseer, first sending his aunt
To a safe refuge further north. He
llso brought for Angus a heavy fowl
ing piece, which, loaded with bucksh0t,
and ut short range, would be quite rs
effective as the rifle he had lost. The
handsome pistols and sword which had
belonged to the British ensign were
much admired, and a good supply of
ammunition was prepared for the
fGrmer. One Of the pistols were given
to IIIa. who was making good the
have words she had spoken at the be.
c%inni3. - or story. She taught the
h'@a. sanguine spirit of her lover, and
1t noG.o DC Cflicult to say whether she
saflsre; more from fear during the
Gays which followed or enjoyed more
from excitement and eXultation ut the
proves and dduhtless behavior of her
lover aId brother. The stories they
heard made it but too sadly evident
that even she might be compellcdt to aid
in the defense of their home.
The first ~paralyzing effect of fear
soon passed from the community, and
the people began to understand the
conditions under which they must live
If the Br fish army remained ut Char
lotte. Ii they would 90 to the village
aud give their allegiance to the royal
! o%iiicers, they would be unmolested and
money would be paid for the provisions
they furnished. If they held aloof on
were hostile. they would be secure
from no wrong or outrage. Vet the
great majority of the men not only re-
fused to have dealings with the British,
but v began TO fire on the ~foraging
parties that were sent out daily. As
the people found themselves threat
ened and insulted. rs well rs rohbcd.o
saw their families deserving their homes
and flying TO the woods when the ma
rauding parties approached, hostility
became hourly more bitter and aggrcs-
Sive. Food for mar and beast, for
which the country vas secured, was
purchased with blood.
The part taken by Burton and Angus
in the recent conflicts Soon became
known, and other young fellows in the
vicinity began to ride in and concoct
measures tending TO some scheme OF
mutual help. 1t was decided that on
eminences near their respective abode,
piles of brush should be heapcd SO that
smoke by day and fire ut night should
become signals of approaching danger,
and the need of assistance.
Meanwhile, ut the Mclntire farm
house. some one was always vigilantly
on the watch. The dwelling stood neal
the edge of a forest, which was Dor.
dered 10y a thick growth Of young
pines. With timely warning, therefore,
the family would have little difficulty
in escaping observation, and, having
once gained the woods, paths leading
to It's rugged recesses were well known.
But Il very few days elapsed before a
British foraging party moved up into
the vicinity. Angus, who was on the
watch. saw the ominous smoke which
was "A warning to all the armed men in
the region. With a sad heart Mrs. Ne.
Intire witnessed the hasty preparations
for departure, bat believed hat nc
other course would be right under the
circumstances. The day when hel
household would need assistance
might be neal indeed.
As her son and Burton Were about tc
mount who should ride up but Georg,
Graham, and never did any n receiv,