Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-13

quickly.
! From the stables the fire spread to the hos
pital, and we were getting scorched by the
awful heat, while the horses were becoming
unrnanageable through fright and excite
menL
The moment had come for action and
could not be DELAYED. Boys" said, as
looked into the faces Of the little group about
me, "we'ye stuck TO this old outfit long
enough. We haven't another meal 90 eat nor
drop of water for the horses, and the place
is on fire all round US We needn't expect
any mercy from these bowling devils, and
I'm not for asking it, either But we must
get away from here mighty quickly. that's
certain, 50 l propose 10 make dash for the
river and the raft; if we can reach it safely
we may save our skins, and If not we may ss
well be killed out there as burned like rats in
here." To this there was a general assent,
and that is how the sortie was arranged.
1t takes long time to tell, doesn't it! But
it wasn't long of happening, can tell you
| The horses girths were overloaded and
| frightened, and each man slung his rife On
| his back. Revolver in right hand and saber
| in left, we prepared to mount, with the I'M
derstanding that we were to keep together
pace for pace, straight out into the open for
| half mile, and then strike 70 the left for the
river.
One moment for a silent, rapid hand shake,
and we were all In the saddle but Curly, who
stood at the gates &c open them | held biz
horse and saw him jump into his place, al
most before the rusty hinges had ceased to
creak
! The Indians saw our movement and headed
for us Immediately, but were too quick
| for them and charged smash into them, rid
! ing down the nearest and shooting and sabeT-
| ing right and left
| How distinctly / remember in the next
/ few seconds the crimson blood, the thunder
Of the horses hoofs, the means and cries, and
the deep, labored breathing as the heavy
| sabers rose and fell
J The firing, unfortunately, was signal to
the Indians near the river bank that we were
moving, and We could see the CLEAN of their
rifle barrels as they ran toward us. There
must have been 500 OF them about US, and we
were only six l don't know how the other
fellows felt, but all my nerves seemed strung
Like wires as we galloped along Here was a
scene of glorious, mad intoxication that over
came all other feeling.
How the horses ran, half piunging, half in
air, and how the lead hail whizzed on every
side Of usl We got well into the open, and
Left wheel" I shouted, and then we were
making straight for the river.
A rafting volIey from little thicket we
were nearing passed right amongst US, and
saw Curly's right arm fall limp and helpless
by his SIDE The bright cheeks tianched, but
he never uttered sound, and saw him let
his pistol fall and put his sword between his
teeth as he tore along.
The parson was swearing at the top Of his
voice and slashing like 8 butcher az he stood
high in his stir1ups, and we went on neck
and neck, like q rolling wava We were
within half mile of the water now, and the
spurs were jammed hard and fast
Oh, If we could only make It'll
Another volley and Curly fell forward on
ais saddle, but was up again in a moment,
ghastly white and with the blood pouring in
torrents from his mouth. He staggered and
swayed, but shook his brave head and smiled
as if to say he was with US still
"Hold on, Curlyi" l cried "Sit steady,
man-for heavens sake, sit steady! we are
almost there
In another moment we were at the raft,
Ananias was cutting at the ropes and had
Curly in my arms, while the others covered
us against the yelling mob now fast overtak-
ing U.s. The horses fed madly off as soon as
we dismounted, and we could see the braves
pursuing them already far away.
The rest is quickly told. We got aAoat
end dropped sniartly down the stream, lying
fat on our faces to lessen the danger Of being
hit by the shots the enemy kept dropping
at us
For hours they followed rs down the bank,
and every now and then when the river mar
rowed and brought us too close to them, VS.
would give them dose, dropping the nearest
and scattering the rest. But when the even
ing came and the sun went down we saw the
last Of them and knew that we were safe.
Not a man was hurt but Curly Why
was it that he alone-the braEest and the
best-should have been singled out for such q
deaths His arm was shattered and bullet
had gone in at his back between the Shout
ders. He was in agony, and we had not q
comfort to offer him We laid our TUNES on
the rough log knots, to make it softer for
him, and the parson pulled his shirt and
socks of to make pillow for him. Frenchy
tore his shirt into strips for bandages, and
Peter used his to cover up the poor cold feet.
Yes, Curly was dying. He groaned With
pain, but he never complained, and although
he could hardly speak he smiled at Us to
thank US for what we had tried to do for him.
There were Jew words spoken as we drifted
on, and when the great moon rose in blaZs
sight night-a little log raft dancing on Chs
water, and on 1t six weary men, blood
stained, half naked, dust begrimed, and one
of them with glazing eyes fast travelling "a
the farther shore from which no man re-
turns.
Just before midnight Curly spoke.
"Good-by," he said, and the boys knen
round him in group and took his hands
The tears were trucking down their faces,
who would themselves have died without
trernble. ''Tm going, boys; good-by."
And then he put his hand up to his neck and
showed the Nttle chain he always wore, and
which he used to call his dog collar. ''Give
little Jeanne, and then he fell back exhausted
He was so white and still we thought him
dead, but soon he spoke again. How dark
it Isl Wen done, Parson. Jeanne, come back
to mel Steady, there. Dear little wom-a
And Curly's life went out forever.
hen the stars gave way TO tie ross ti1lfa
Of the early dawn we landed in 6 little pine
wood. With swords end hands we dug a
grave and placed him tenderly in it, kissing
his dead cold face The parsons shirt was
still his pillow aDd Peters red tiInic his wind
ing sheet His sword and rife and spurs
were laid beside him, and dear old Curly
YVES left alone
Who Jeanne was we never knew, but the
heart that loved her was as true a steel.
Did You ever care for him, oh, well loved
Jesniea or was he less than nothing 10 you'll
Are you hoping still to hear his laugh and
feel his strong arms round yous or have you
long since ceased 70 think OK hin1f
10 monument Is standing 20 tel his worth,
no prayer YVES chanted over his moesT grave,
but the pine trees ware all round it and the
song birds sing above It, and CuTiy-dea-
old Curly. the hon hearted, the best and
tr1iest Of men-sleeps IN is alone TIE sleep
snas knows no wakinx.-N York Mercury.