St. Landry democrat., 1888-07-28

grain, and ~gnnny-sacks, filled with
earth, the other side. Caves had been
dug i'll the hillside for the women, and
riae-pits, strongly constructed, ranged
OF three sides of the camp,
All night long the cattle kept below
ing and were driven around and about
the camp by the Indians in hope that
the little garrison would come out and
attempt to drive them in. But the
white men lay close, and all efforts at
getting them out failed. Soon after
midnight one of the men crept out of
the fort and passed the Indian videttes
safely. He was instructed by Mr.. Max
well to go to Fort Keogh with all haste
and make known to the 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 moon was shining brightly
and the Indians were all mounted and
could be plainly seen. DismOunting
from their ponies they began crawling
up toward the fort. Maxwell told his
men to lay close and hold their fire I'M
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 a fearful moment-the 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 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 surrender?n
called out Maxwell.
mo, I 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; "we 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 near the fort. The
wounded Indian raised himself up with
difficulty, and saying: "How! How!
Don't shoot me; go away" crawled 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
and driving the cattle before
them started off down the valley.
THANK God, they are gone" said
Mrs. Maxwell.
"Not So" replied Maxwell; s.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 soon some of the cattle were
seen coming back, as if they had
broken away from the Indians, and
one of the lei wanted to go out and
drive them in.
"Oh, no. said Maxwell, .sthat is
another ruse of the willy rascals
to get us out OF here. They are close
behind the cattle, depend upon it."
The cattle e kept close around the
fort nearly all forenoon, but not an
Indian was to be seen. ALI efforts to
draw out the little garrison, however,
futile. Then a signal was
up, and Mr.. Maxwell said:
'They are sending for help, boys,
ind we will soon have it hot and heavy.
Here, mother, you and May keep well
the cave, but get some water
and be ready to load and cool the
gums
In a few moments ar unearthly yell
'ose up from the r%avine, and the In
lians charged that side of the fort.
They were easily repulsed, but soon
lashed at the other side of the fort,
'iding and firing. The men in the
ort let them ride and fire as fast and
s much as they wanted, lying close
Within their snug breastworks. Pref
y soon the Indians drew off and COM
nenced throwing up signal lights.
1--WE shall have it now," said Max
veil. keep cool and wait"
In about an hour a long line of In
ians yer 9 coming up from the
outh to join the others.
There they are" said Maxwell,
and Ii that is all there is of them we
7ill soon lift their hair" It was a
expression, but the men knew
My too well it was made to keep their
,ourage up, for there were at least ten
indians for every white man in the
ut, and as bloodthirsty a looking set
T red devils as ever rode the plains or
a white man.
They rode down quite close to I le fort
nd cad out, How! HowICome
..A--1 -s~-%ML.-I - rA /