The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-08-02

n make known to he commanding
officer the desperate situation OF the
little party and ask for help. The lit
tie garrison was now reduced to four
fighting men, Mrs. Maxwell and her
daughter May. Shortly before day.
light the women heard the Indians
coming up the ravine and aroused the
men. The moor was shining brightly
and the Indians were all mounted and
could be plainly seen. Disnounting
from their ponies they began crawling
up toward the fort. Maxwell told his
men to lay close and hold their fire UNI
til he gave the word, and then To load
and fire as rapidly as possible, and
shout at the top Of their voices. 1t
was n fearful moment-thc night was
still lying on the earth, and the silence
that of death. The Indians were now
within fifty yards, and Maxwell, fear
ing a charge If he delayed longer,
called out Let them have it, boys"
The rattle of the guns was fearful, and
lasted for fully five minutes, when, see
ing no Indians coming, Mr.. Maxwell
ordered the firing to slacken and then
cease entirely. When the smoke
cleared away no Indians were about
except one, who lay ncar the fort. He
was badly wounded. and called out in
broken English: Il am hit. Don't
shoot me-"
Can you come in and surrender"
called out Maxwell.
No, am wounded; come out and
get me- he replied.
Cant you crawl in here? We will
take care Of you said Maxwell.
won't you let my people come and
get me" the fellow asked.
"All right" said Maxwell; ave don't
care for you fellows much anyway; but
let them be quick about it, for We want
to fight some more"
The wounded Indian called loudly in
Indian. and presently some savages
were seen approaching, but they were
afraid to come too lear the fort. The
wounded Indian raised himself up with
difficulty, and saying: How! How!
Don't shoot me; 90 away" crawlcd off.
They let him go, and after working
himself down the hill a little way two
Indians took him up and carried him
off.
The Indians now packed up every
thing, and driving the cattle before
them started off down the valley.
Thank God, they are gone" said
Mrs. Maxwell.
Not So replied Maxwell; that
is only a ruse to get us off our guard;
but We have a little time, so, mother,
you and May get us something to eat.
Pretty Dol some Of the cattle were
seen coming back, us if they had
broken away from the Indians, and
one Of the men wanted to go out and
drive them in.
"Oh, no." said Maxwell, that is
only another rus Of the willy rascals
to get us out of here. They are close
behind the cattle, depend upon it"
The cattle were kept close around the
fort nearly all forenoon. but not an
Indian was to be seen. All efforts to
draw ont the little garrison. however,
proved futile. Then q signal was
thrown up, and Mr.. Maxwell said:
'IhPE are rsri--, e. 49, ~ a., !
and We will Don have il hot and heavy.
Herr, mother, you and May keep well
within III" cave, but get some water
and be ready to load and cool the
guns
In a few moments an ~unearthly yell
rose up from the r~avine, and the In
dams charged that side Of the fort
They We're easily repulsed, but soon
dashed at the other side of the fort,
riding and firing. The men in the
fort let them ride and fire as fast and
as much as they wanted, lying close
within their snug breastwOrks. Pref
ty o o the Indians drew off and COM
menced throwing up signal lights.
I'VE shall have it now" said Max
well. keep cool and wait"
In about al hour a long line Of In
dians were seen coming up from the
south to join the others.
'Thcre they are said Maxwell,
land if that is all there is of them we
will soon lift their hair" 1t was a
bravo expression, but the men knew
only toe well it az made to keep their
courage up, for there were at least ten
Indians for every white mar in the
fort, and as ~bloodthirsty a looking set
Of red devils as ever rode the plains or
5calped a white man.
They rode down quite close to the fort
and called out: How! How! Come
out and give up!''
Not much,' cried Maxwell. ave
have been waiting for you to come.
Why have you been so long? Come :
IN; we are spelling for a fight; but
mind you, no more gets off. l want =.
least ten scalps." =.
The Indians %dismounted and began .,
crawling toward the fort. The grass =.
vas high and gave them good shelter. ,
We must not let them get too %close,n =,
'aid Maxwell, 'for there are too ,
many of them. Pick out a man each of =
'ou, commencing on the right. There =
$ a fellow ~tiattening himself on the \
'arth. think | a get him, though =.
lie is about as thin as a pane OF win :
glass and as long as a willow =
lie took careful aim and fired and the u
avage sprang up and then pitched for t,
yard on his face and lay still. -,