Oxford eagle., 1888-07-26

we'll to 90 TO Fort keOgh with all haste
and make known to the commanding
officer the desperate situation 0f the
little party and ask for help. The lit
tie garrison was now reduced 10 four
fighting men. Mrs. Maxwell and her
daughter May. shortly before day
light the women heard the Indians
coming up the rsyine and aroused the
men. The moon was shining brightly
and the Indians were all mounted and
could BE- plainly scel. Di-mounting
from their ponies they began crawling
up toward the fort. Maxwell told his
men to lay close and hold their fir. uu-
til he gave the word. and then to load
and hre as rapidly ~ possible. and
shout 10 the top ~ their voices II
was fearful moment tho night was
still lying on the earth, and the silence
that Of death. The Indians were now
within fifty yards, and Maxwell. fear
ing charge II he delayed longer,
called out: Let them have il, boys y
The rattle Of the guns was fearful. and
lasted for fully five minutes. when. SEQ
Ing no Indians coming. Mr. Maxwell
ordered the firing To slackcn and then
cease entirely. When the smoke
cleared away no Indians were about
except one. who lay near the fort. He
was badly wounded. and called out in
broken English: II am hit. Don't
shoot me"
Can you come in and surrcuder?''
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; I'VE don't
care for you fellows much anyway: but
let them he quick about ii. for We want
To fight some more.
The wounded Indian called loudly in
Indian. and presently some sayages
were seen approaching. but they wer,.
afraid to come too near the fort. The
wounded Indian raised himself up with
difficulty. aud saying: How, How,
Don't shoot me; 70 away" crawled of.
They let him go. and after working
himself down the hill little way two
Indians took him up and carried him
oil.
The Indians now packed up every
thing. and driving the cattle before
them started of down the valley
THANK God. they are gone" said
Mrs. Maxwell
Not so,' replied Maxwell; THAT
is only rtise to get us of our guard
but we have little time. So. mother.
you and May get us something To eat.
Pretty soon some of the cattle were
seen coming back. rs il they had
broken away from the Indians. aud
one of the men wanted to go out and
drive them in.
''Oh. no." said Maxwell. that is
only another ruse Of the willy rascals
to get us out Of here. They aro close
behind the cattle. depend upon it
The cattle were kept close around the
fort nearly all forenoon, but not an
Indian was To h. seen. All efforts to
draw out the little garrison. however.
proved futile. Then signal was
thrown up, and Mr.. Maxwell said:
They are sending for help. boys.
and We will soon have it hot and heavy.
Here. mother. you and May keep well
within the cave. but get some water
and be ready to load and cool the
guns.
In few moments an uncarthly yell
rose up from the ravine. and the In
dians 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. Pret.
ty soon the Indians drew off and com.
menced throwing up signal lights.
We shall have it now.r said Max
well. Keep cool and watt
In about an hour long line OF In.
dians were seen coming up from the
south 10 JOIN the others.
There they are" said Maxwell.
''and if that is all there is OF them We
will soon lift their hair" 1t was q
brave expression. but the men knew
only too well it was made TO keep thei,
courage up. for there were ut least ten
Indians for every white man in tn.
fort and rs bloodthirsty a looking sci
OF red devils as ever rode the plains OF
scalped a white man.
They rode down quite close to the fort
and called out: Howl Howl Come
out and give up
Not much. cried Maxwell. ..We
have been waiting for you to come.
Why have YOU been 50 long9 Come
on; We are spelling for a fight; but
mind you. no more gets OIL. want
az least ten scalps."
The Indians dismOuuted and beqan
crawling toward the fort. The grass
was high and gave them good shelter.
We 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 fellow fiattening himself on the
earth. think | can get him, though
he Is about rs thin as pane Of win
dow glass and as long as a willow. -
he took careful aim and fired and the
savage sprang up and then pitched for
ward on his face and lay still.
He is down. cried Maxwell. ..and
now for the rest. bows