San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-08-09

working himself down the hill little way
two Indians took him up and carried
him Of
The Indians now packed up everything,
and driving the cattle before them started
or down thu valley.
"Thank God, they are gone" said Mrs.
Maxwell
Mot So" replied Maxwell; shat Is only
a ruse to get Us of our guard; but VIC havo
little time, so, mother, you and May get
Us something to eat"
Pretty soon some Of the cattle were seen
coming back, as if they had broker away
from tho Indians, ard one o. the men wanted
to go out and drive them in.
"Oh, nor said Maxwell, shat is only AMI
other ruso of the willy rascals to get Vi out
of here. They arc close behind the cattle,
depend upon it." The catt., we-a kept close
around the fort nearly all forenoon, but acc
an Indian Yves 70 DO soon. All e1Sorts to-
d:aw out the little garrison, however, proved
futile. Then signal was thrown up, ami
Mr. Maxwell said:
They are sending for help, boys, and wo'
viii SoVa have it hos ard heavy. Here,
mother, you and May keep well within tho
cave, but get sSlne water aid DO ready to
load and cool tLe guns
III u &c" ulOuiSulS dtthiy JSA AOSo
UP from the ravine, and the Indians charged
that side of tho fort. They were easily re-
pulsed, but soon dashed at the other side Of
The fort, riding and Ering. The men in the
for. let them ride and lire as fast and as
much as they wanted. lying close within
their snug Oreastworks. Pretty soon the In.
dians drew OF aud commenced throwing up
signal Lights.
1--WE shall have It now" said Maxwell
Keep cool and wait"
In about an hour long line Of Indians
were seen coming up from the south to join
the Others.
There they are" said Maxwell, "and il
that is all there is of them we will soon lift
their hair" 1t was a brave expression, but
the men knew only too we'll it was made to
keep their courage up, for there were at least
ten Indians for every white man in the fort,
and as bloodthirsty looking set of red
devils as ever rode the plains or scalped q
white man.
They rode down quite close to the fort and
called out: Howl Howl Come out and
give up!"
mot much" cried Maxwell. eve have
been waiting for you to come. Why have
you been so longl Come on; we are spelling
for Alright; but mind you, no more gets of. T,
| want at least ten scalps"
The Indians dismounted and began crawl !
ing toward the fort. The grass was high and
gave them good shelter. I'VE must not let
them get too Close" said Maxwell, 'for there
are too many of them. Pick out a man each
of you, commencing on the right. There is
a fellow fattening himself on the earth. /
think | can get him, though he is about as
thin as pane Of window glass and as long as
a willow" He took careful aim and fired,
and the savage sprang up and then pitched
forward on his face and lay still
HE is down." cried Maxwell, land now
for the rest, boys"
The Indians had opened, and the firing
soon became general. For two hours it went
on without intermission. The Indians
worked up nearer and nearer to the fort
despite of all the resistance of the little garri
son. For three hours nothing could be heard
but the noise of the guns, the yelling of the
white men and Indians, and the cries Of the
women. Maxwell and his men fought like
lions. Mrs Maxwell loaded and cooled the
guns, and May went about among the men,
helping her mother and carrying the men
water and food. After five hours hard fight
ing the Indians drew off, held a council, and
then went into camp. They divided into two
parties, one party encamping on each side Of
the fort, so as to prevent the garrison from
escaping during the night Several of the
Indians came down quite close to the fort in
the evening and wanted to talk, but the white
men called out: 'Go awayl Go awayl Old
Maxwell is getting mad" One bold fellow
rode up quite near, when Maxwell seized
gun and shot him, sending him back to tho
rear bowling with pain
"Lie close, boys, and shoot every one that
approaches" said Maxwell Night shut down
on the besieged, and it was still as death
again. The fires Of the Indians could be seen
on the hill. but mono of them came near.
Two of the men slept while the others kept
watch, but the night passed without event.
Early in the morning the Indians wanted TO
talk
'Comel come oni" cried Maxwell, ST am
spelling for fight I don't want to talk.
Why don't you fight, you cowardly red ras-
cals2 Here goes for your" and he fred his
piece at the nearest warrior. The Indians
fell back in haste, no doubt thinking the
very devil was in old Maxwell But they
rallied and came on and the battle became
general again The white men were sur
rounded on every side, and it was with tine
utmost difficulty they could keep the Indians
out Of the fort. Charge after charge was
made, but the brave garrison stood true.
After an hour and half's fighting the
Indians fell back for rest and smoke.
They next commenced throwing arrows
from their bows, shooting them up in the
air and letting them descend point foremost
into the fort As the men had no protection
for their backs and heads this proved q