Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-06-25
air to which were attached burning ragA
 with the evident intention of setting fire to


 For many hours this went on. the redskins knowing that they had us completely trapped, while dared not waste our ammunition by the discharge of a single shot At last tley succeeded. in firing the stables and the old wood burned like tin.lar
 Fatty and Frenchy go: mp tc tie roof at once to try and save tie place hut hardly had they shown thensaires whet. there was deiifeTung gun fire. an Fatty fell dead at cur feet. shot through tf.a head
 We were deternlne that the Indians shouid not g.. his body muti.ate and dis figure laid if 1T: the thickesr of the roarlo fire n burn There was no time then for leave taking ror signs of sorrow, and what had to do pad to be done quickly
 From he stables the ire spread to the hos pitat, and De were getting scorched by the awful heat. while the horses were becoming unnaaageabic througk fright and excite ment.
 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've stuck to this old outfit long enough We haven't appther meal to eat nor a 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 bere mighty quickly, that's certain. so propose to make q dash for the river and the raft, if we can reach it safely we may save our skins, and if not we may as well be killed out there as burned like rats in here" To this there was general assent, and that is how the sortie was arranged.
 It takes a long time tc tell, doesn't ita But 1t wasn't long of happening, can tell you
 The horses girths were overhauled and frightened, and each man slung his rife on his back. Revolver in right hand and saber i'll left, we prepared to mount, with the un- derstandlng that we were to keep together pace for pace, straight out into the open for half mile, and then strike to the left for the river
 One moment for silent, rapid hand shake, and we were all in the saddle but Curly, who stood at the gates tc open them. 1 held his horse and saw him jump into his place, al. most before the rusty hinges had ceased to ereak
 The Indians saw our movement and headed for us immediately, but we were too quick for them and charged smash into them, rid ing down the nearest and shooting and saber ing right and left
 How distinctly l 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
 The firing, unfortunately was signal to the Indians near the river bank that we were moving, and we could see the gleam of their rifle barrels as they ran toward us There must have been 900 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 gal1oped along Here was a scene of glorious, mad intoxication that over came all other feeling ..N+ How the horses ran, half plunging, half in air, and how the lead hail whizzed on every side of usl We got well into the open, and Left wheel" l shouted, and then we were making straight for the river.
 A rattling volley from little thicket we were nearing passed right amongst us, and l saw Curly's right arm fall limp and helpless by his side. The bright cheeks blanched, but he never uttered sound, and saw him let his pistol fall and put his sword between his teeth as he tore along.
 1 The parson was swearing at the top of his voice and slashing like butcher as he stood r high in his stirrups. and We vent neck 1 and neck, like rolling wave. We were within half mile of the water now, and the spurs were jammed hard and fast.
 Oh, if we could only make itl
 Another volley and Curly fell forward on his saddle, but was up again in a moment | II torrents from his mouth. He staggered and swayed, but shook his brave head and smiled as if to say he was with us still.
 ''Hold1 on, Curly" 1 cried 'Sit steady, man-for heavens sake, sit steadyi we are almost there"
 In another moment we were at the raft, Ananias was cutting at the ropes and l had Curly in my arms, while. the others covered us against the yelling mob now fast overtak- ing us The horses fled msdly off as soon as we dislnounted, and we could see the braves pursuing them already far away.
 The rest is quickly told. We got afoat and dropped smartly down the stream, lying fat on our faces to lessen the danger of being hit by the shots the enemy kept dropping at us s-i as1f.s
 For hours they followed us down the bank. and every now and then when the river mar rowed and brought us too close to them, we 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 man hurt but Curly. Why was it that he alone-the bravest and tne best-shoEld have been singled out for such Q deaths His arm was shattered and bullet had gone in at his back between the shoul. ders.a He was in agony, and we had not a comfort to offer him. We laid our tunics ou the rough log knots, to make it softer for him, and the parson pulled his shirt and l tore his shirt into strips for bandages, and Peter used lis 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 tc tha,::s u for what we had tried to do for him. There were few words spoken we drifted on. and when the great moon rose in a blaze ot silver light she looked down on one hard sight niSht--a little log raft dancing on the
 water, and it six weary men, blood stained, half naked, dust begrimed, and one Of them with glazing eyes fast travelling te the farther shore from which no man re
 turns
 Just before midnight Curly spoke.
 1 ''Good-by," he said, and the boys kneli
 round him in group and took his hands The tears were tricking down their faces
 who would themselves have died without 6 And t;,er, he put his hand up fo his S neck and whic!, ne used to call his dog collar. Give it to Ter by-and-by,' he whispered .'Deal little Jeanie," and then he fell back exhausted
 Hewas so white and still we thought hin dead. but soon he spoke again. How dark
 it Is! " ell done, Parson. 0eanie, come back to net Steady, there. Dear little wom-' And Curly's life went out forever.
 When the stars gave way to the rose tint.
 of the early dawn we landed in little pine , wood. With swords and hands we dug l l grave and placed him tendpriy i:, if kiSSi m