Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-10-27


to gain good fighting ground of their own
choice, and the Comanches to cut them
off. Arkansaw Charley was riding
splendid black stallion, sure of foot and
very feet, and the rest of the boys had
to put their horses to full speed to keep
up with their dsshing young leader,
whose long faxen hair streamed out be-
hind him like the fan of an eagle. Not
more than one-third of the distance had
been made when one of their horses fell,
tumbling the cowboy in ditch and break
ing one of his legs. Instantly Charley
and Curly Bill halted to fight where they
were, rather than leave one of their COM
rades in the hands of the Comanches; but
seeing the disadvantage of the position,
they roped the horse, placed the crippled
cowboy upon his saddle and babe him
follow toward the ridge.
The delay had brought the Indians near
enossyh for showers of bullets and arrows
to fly at them, but happily over their
heads. The cowboys were all expert
horsemen, aud were soon on a sweeping
run, and luckily gained the summit of
the ridge. Quickly stalking the horses out
of range, they took position fiat on the
ground at the highest point and awaited
the approach of the Indians, who had
stopped about 900 yards away
Presently, with terrific yell, the saw
ages charged, throwing themselves on
the sides of their horses and sending
showers of bullets and arrows at the little
band, but hitting wide of the mark. The
Americans held their fire till the enemy
were within 200 yards, when they sent
volley after volley from their Winches-
tiers, and fifteen horses were seen tum-
bling and charging in the throes of death.
For some time not an Indian seemed
to have been hit; but before they re-
treated out of range two of them were
shot down.
The Comanches collected in squads and
were gesticulating at frantic rate, then
all at once they started in run to gain
the same ridge which sloped to the north
from the point occupied by the cowboys.
A new danger now threatened, for as soon
as the Indians reached the low ridge the
horses were brought within range Of the
enemy. Arkansaw Charley had them i'm
mediately removed to secure place on
the opposite slope of the hill.
When the Indians discovered this they
made very desperate charge, but were
again repulsed, four Indians and ten
horses being killed. Over half the Indians
were now afoot, and council ensued,
Auu ItSutlcQ Ill tlS 4uOluuS QlfA0luR LuC1E
force so as to cover the whites in
charge from both west and south, which
would again bring their horses in
range Curly Bill and three men at once
moved lower down, so as to cover the
stock with their rifles, while Charley and
the rest of the boys held the summit
On came the savages with defiant yells,
charging on foot and on horseback, but
again were they repulsed, with the loss
of six horses and one Indian wounded. A
long parley ensued, and presently dozen
Or more Comanches were seen going over
the hill with their horses, and half an
hour later the same number wero seen
approaching afoot in q very stealthy man
ner, which was soon followed by like ma
neuvers by the other two squads. This
change of tactits on the part of the
Comanche chief greatly perplexed Char
ley and Curly Bill ''They are now
creeping up on US through the grass to
lay for every man who exposes himself to
their sight" said Charley. Crawl into
the ground, if you can, boys"
In this way the fight was kept up till
thick darkness covered the plains. Two
of the cowboys had been killed, both shot
in the head. The broken legged boy
lad of II, though suffering great pain,
fought all the while, but on changing his
position to ease his pain, was shot dead
by q musket ball.
Curly Bill crept back to the summit,
sending three men to guard the horses. A
council was held as to what was best to
be done. The darkness gave the savages
the advantage; they being below could
not be sighted, but every time one of the
cowboys raised his head it was outlined
IL ~ 1oi, ,lxx, - H.
good target for the Comanche marks
men.
They can now creep within twenty
yards Of us, can capture our horses and
kill every man who pokes up his head
They'll kill US by detail, " said Charley.
Their situation was indeed critical
one. To attempt to get away from the
Indians then seemed the merest folly, and
to await the coming of day was even
worse.
"It's run for life anyway we take it,"
continued Charley. "We'd better get to
our horses, mount, and scatter like quails.
and run our chances"
Done" answered the boys with one
voice.
Crawling like snake in the grass each
man reached the picket which secured his
horse, then to his feet, and in an instant
all were mounted and off, each mar TAX
ing his own direction. Charley and Curly
Bill, leading the horses of their dead COM
rades, rode off together. The savages,
however were not asleep, and as soon as
the whites showed themselves began
vigorous shooting But the cowboys were
off like flash, leaving the Comanche chief
biting his lips in rage over the slip they
had given him. Three-fourths of his
horses were dead upon the plain, many
of his warriors killed and wounded and
the whites gone and not horse captured
Long was the night to that scattered
bunch of cowboys upon the silent plains
The Comanches were not idle. The chief
grew desperate, and taking six warriors
was soon upon the trail of the four horses,
going in northeasterly direction, trail
ing them by the sound of the shod hoofs
tramping the earth. Just at the approach
of day Curly Bills sharp eye discovered
Indians on the track. Being unable to
determine in what number, they quick
ened their gait, in what direction they
scarcely knew. Soon losing sight Of the
pursuers, and thinking perhaps they were
mistaken, they slackened their pace, and
rode leisurely along till about 10 o'clock,
when they stopped at a water hole to
quench the almost killing thirst of them
selves and their horses.
Thinking they were safe, they staked
out their horses and prepared to breakfast
on jerked beef and water, after which
they stretched themselves upon the grass
to rest while their horses were grazing.
1t was not long, however, before the
tramping of horses feet was heard, and
the chief and six warriors were upon
them, shooting and yelling at terrible
rate. Instantly they went for their
horses, Curly Bill mounting first, turned
on them and began shooting his revolver
as only cowboy can. Arkansaw Charley,
by mshap in attempting to catch the
picket rope while firing his pistol.
stumbled and fell For only an instant
though was he down, but long enough for
an Indian to put ball into his body be-
fore he gained his saddle. The contest
row became fierce between the FIVE saw
ages-for two of them had already been
lilled-and the desperate cowboys. Never