Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-07

of the presence of Indians in the woods
about. Yet there they must have been
their painted bodies oleverly concealed
behind logs and clumps Of bushes waiting
for the hour to strike.
Some distance from the fort lay the
cornfield which had been planted in the
spring, and wns now fiji for hoeiug, and
on this fateful day the three men set on;
for the field accompanied by Two little
boys, sons of Mr.. Howe, not yet nine
years old, but able TO help in the rude
labors OF the fort and clearing. They
left behind TO guard the block house only
the women and children, amply armed
for its defense by day.
The Indians were known to be in the
neighborhood. Eight years before they
had burned the first BridRman's fort
and few smaller huts clustered about
IT. France and England were at war,
and the reward was set for scalps an
prisoners. But there was the corn 10 be
hoed, and winter was coming, when food
must be had, no matter what the danger.
So, all day the men and boys cut away
at the thick weeds, keeping close to-
gether, their weapons at hand, and one
of them constantly on the watch to see
quiyering bush or hear dry stick crack
ing. All day, IN the house, the women
worked at their household tasks, aud the
merry laughter OF children at play stole
out through the thick log walls and
reached the ears OF the skulking foes
without.
Just before sunset the toIlers left the
field and Get out for home along the WE'LL
worn trail. Howe leading the way,
mounted upon horse, and his little boys
trotting along by his side. Within q few
minutes they would be behind sheltering
walls. The ever-preseut sense of danger
bore lightly upon them, and the boys
talked merrily as they ran along of the
squirrels, the birds fitting about IN the
trees, and the welcome awaiting them.
Suddenly murderous yolley was fired
from just ahead and savages seemed TO
start up from the very earth on both
sides OF the path. Howe fell to the
ground wounded, and without an in
stant's hesitation Grant end Garfield,
who were uuhurt by the volley, ran 10
gain the shelter of the thicker woods.
The Indians dispatched and scalped the
wounded man and bound the thoroughly
frightened little boys, pitIfully weeping
over their fathers dead body. Mean
while Grant had escaped, but Gafield
was chased into the river and drowned.
Dag paled Into dusk and dusk deep
ened into darkness while the women and
children in the fort wondered OF the long
absence of their defenders. They did
not greatly fear the worst, however, as
no Indians had been seen about. As |
they sat'au waited they heard upon q
sudden the familiar tread OF footsteps |
outside. and in o moment came the sig
nal agreed upon, sort of telegraphic |
knock upon the heavily barred door.
"There they are at last!" cried the |
women, and more than one rushed TO |
unbar the door. In q moment they stag |
gered back from the entrance and the |
room was Filed with Indians. What al |
most incredible patience they must have |
shown, thus TO he IN wait night after |
night until they had learned 10 initiate |
not only the signal knock, but the very |
step OF the forts defenders.
Resistance was us'les. The wo men |
vert sp Oily secur, and the scream |
ing hi drsn t'fr.h INTO 81 noe Iy the
mvLsets of Tbs ssiages. HON TIE t |