The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-02-13

| MIS- marry trey, with the as
slstance of the other settler. had pre-
pared torpedo holding several pounds
VI powder, which they skillfullv con-
cealed under rocks and dirt on the brink
oI deep hole that had been made bv
olaStlng out the rock. This hole was
not commanded by the loopholes and
would be sure to afford the enemy an
excellent point of attack. rude
trench was rudely dug from the milk
house, and by aid of some long planks.
a train OF powder was arranged. Then
the earth was put back SO carefully as
TO leave no suspicious of what had been
done.
1t was nearly ten o'clock when Harry
exclaimed excitedly:
There come some of the vilIainsw
When the little party of whites shut
themselves in their fort, the Sioux were
tearing along over the prairies not a
mile away.
Grasping their loaded guns, they
awaited the coming of the red men.
They had not long to wait.
From the loop-holes the white men
counted twenty-seven Indians. all
mounted on good ponies Every one
carried something which he had plum
dered from the settlers cabins, and a
few had fresh scalps at their belts.
The rode up to the little store boldly.
Evidently they had seen the hasty flight
to the milk-house, but gave mo hint of
having done SO. Among the band, Mrs
Harvey recognized several whom she
had kindly supplied with food and other
articles not many days before.
Yells of savage Indignation came from
the Sioux who entered the cabin and
store, to find them already stripped of
their most desirable contents. A coun-
Gil was held Immediately.
They expected every moment to see
the flames devour their buildings. But,
instead, an Indian who had been in the
settlement often and had picked up a
little imperfect English, left the coun-
Gil and approached the retreat of the
Whites, giving the peace sign.
He stopped when within hundred
feet of the fort and called:
"Runnin' Dog want talk with store
man. meaning Harvey, who had built
up considerable trade with the Indians
in his little isolated rural store.
what do you want to talk about?''
Harvey shouted back through one of the
loop-holes:
'Runnin' Dog and braves want heap
powder-shot!''
''To kill the wfites?" demanded Har-
vey.
mo kill pale-faces; Sioux friendly"
replied the willy Running Dog.
''What do you mean, then, by riding
around this way?"
"Some braves get ire-water, drink
heap, make heap noise, ride over white
mans settlement; but no kill white
man." answered the Indian.
''Then ride away if you don't mean
fight"
''Why whites go into store house?"
asked Running Dog.
eve thought change might be good
for our health"
''Will store-man come out?"
''No, the air outside isn't good for him."
''Then Sioux burn store and cabin
answered the Indian.
''That is what we have been expecting
ever since your bloody gang rode up. So
pitch imp
And so the conference ended.
Running Dog returned to his fellows,
to whom he lost no time in fully trans
lating the dialogue between himself and
the settler.
With whoop and howl some of the In
dians opened fire on the fort, while
others prepared for a great bonfire.
The shots against the fort had no
effect whatever. Very soon store and
cabin were wrapped in wild flames, and
the Sioux began a little war-dance
around them, leaping and yelling in
fendish glee.
The store being log structure, the
roof fell in before the walls. AS the
Sioux leaped and chanted wildly about
their bonfire, suddenly there was great
explosion, followed almost instantly by
shrieks of terrible agony. Burning logs
were hurled in every direction, and in
tense excitement reigned among the red
Harry Grey only gave grim smile as
his companions looked inquiringly at
him
Il merely placed half-keg of powder
where 1 knew it would do us friendly
turn if the Sioux burned the store,'' he
said.
The smoke somewhat subsiding after
the explosion, the besieged were able to
count eight Indians killed and several
badly mangled. Among the slain was
Running Dog.
The buildings consumed were the only
shelter from which the Indians could
attack them, and they were now lost to
them. The gang clearly realized the
of the little garrison, and pos
sessed caution enough not to attempt
rush upon it.
The band soon rode off, taking their
dead and wounded with them. This
gave the besieged whites an opportunity
to leave the milk-house, kindle fires.
and prepare food enough to last several
days. Harvey and one of the settlers
to strengthening the fort and
perfecting arrangements for long
siege. There was no telling when re-
lief would reach them.
The shadows of evening were length
!