The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1888-09-15

Us something TO eas."
Pretty soon come OF the cattle were
seen coming back, as if they had broken
away from the Indians, and 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 are close behind the
cattle, depend upon it." The cattle were
ke pit close around the fort nearly all fore
noon, but not an Indian was to be seen.
All efforts to draw oat the little garrison,
however, proved futile. Then signal
was thrown up, and Maxwell said:
"They are sending for help, boys, and
We will soon have it ho. and heavy. Here,
mother, you and May keep we'll within the
cave, but get some water and be ready to
load and cool the guns"
In few moments an unearthly yell
rose up from the ravine, and the Indians
charged that side OF the fort. They were
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.
Pretty soon the Indians drew of and
commenced throwing up signal lights.
"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
If that is all there is of them we will soon
lift their hair" 1t was brave express
sion, but the men knew only too well, it
was made to keep their courage up, for
there were at least ten Indians for every
white man in she fort, and as bloodthirssy
a looking set of red devils as ever rode
the plains or scalped white man.
They rode down quite close to the fort
and called out: "How. How! Come ont
and give up!"
"Not munh," cried Maxwell. "We have
been waiting for You tn come. Why have
you been 80 long? Come on; we are
spelling for fight; but mind you no
more get If. want at least ten scalps."
The Indians dismounted and began
crawling toward the fort. The grass was
high and gave good shelter. "We must
not let them get too close" said Maxwell,
"for there are too many of them. Pick
out man each of you, commencing on
the right. There is fellow fattening
himself on the earth. think l can get
him, though he ia about "a thin as pane
of window glass and as long as willow"
He took careful aim ani 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, boys"
The Indians had opened, and the firing
soon became general. For Two hours is
went on without intermission. The
Indians worked up nearer and nearer to
the fort despite the resistance of the
garrison. For three honrs nothing could
be heard bat the noise of tho guns, the
yelling of the white men and Indiana,
and the cries of the women. Maxwell and
his men fought like demons. Mrs. Max
well loaded and cooled the guns, aud May
went about among the men, helping hor
mother and carrying che men water and
food. After five hours hard fighting the
Indians drew off, held a council and theu
went into camp. They divided into two
parties, ono party encamping on each
side of tho fort 80 a. to prevent the garri-
son from e.capiDg during the night.
Several of the Indians came down quite
close to tho fort in the evening and
wanted to speak to the garrison, but after
one was shot they gave no more trouble
on that score.
"Come! come onm cried Maxwell, "I am
spelling for fight. / don't want to talk.
Why don't you fight, you cowardly red
rascals? Here goes for you!" and he
fred his piece at the nearest warrior.
The Indians fell back in haste, no doubt
thinking the very devil was in ola Max
we'll. Bat they rallied and came on and
the battle became general again. The
white men were surrounded on every
side, ahd it was with the 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
back for rest and a smoke. They next
commenced throwing arrows from their
bows, shooting them up in the air and
istting them descend point for, most into
.he fort. As the men had no protection
for their bsoks and heads this proved
most formidable mode of attack. One of
the men was soon severely wounded, and
May Maxwell got an arrow through her
foot. About noon an Indian, who had
been observed smoking all forenoon on
hill near the fort, suddenly rose up aud
til within sixty yards of the breastworks
when he suddenly fell dead, pierced by
bullet from old Msxwell's gun. He was
probably a medicine man who had lied
so long and SO much to the Indians that
he came TO believe his own lies and
thought that the white men could not hit
HIM with bullet.
As soon as the medicine man fell, the
Indians drew OFF and held a council.
They seemed TO think the only way now
was to watch the garrison ami starve it
out. Creeping up close to tho works and
picketing the stream they began their
patient seige. Not head or hand
In the garrison could be seen without a
bullet being fired at it.
The besoiged had to lie close; but old
Maxwell raised the devil about midnight
by making sudden attack, and the
Indians thinking he was coming sure
enough, ran off little. Next morning
Maxwell surprised the savages by build
ing large fire, showing them that he had
wood and water. Mrs. Maxwell also had
p tent put up, and the Indians observed
the condition of the garrison was much
improved, as If they liked it, and were
going to stay there and fight II ont, il II