The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-21

so thought ola Jones, tine sooner VINO
had Just descended from the lookout: for
striding over to where the commanding
officer stood he requested Col. Mack to al
low him to go to the creek and obeain some
water for the wounded.
do you know that you will almost GER
tainly sacrifice your life in so doing9'' said
the colonel, for the approach to the creek
was swept by the enemy's fire.
"Why, sir, allow that thar is a risk:
but. sir, they're sufferin' awful" Jones re-
turned, jerking his thumb over his shout
der to indicate what he meant by ''they"
well, then, since you will go, my brave
fellow, may God protect your the stern
old soldier returned, his gray eyes suf-
fused with tears as he witnessed this touch
ing trait of true heroism in the private.
Catching up couple of buckets Jones
| clambered over the breastwork and walked
toward the creek as cool and self possessed
as If he were crossing a parade ground. As
the enemy's bullets Dlowed up the ground
| in front and rear of him the hearts of his
| comrades stood still. They held their
breath and grasped more tightly their car
bines as they watched tie progress of this
| daring soldier who was willing to lay down
| his life if by so doing few wounded COM
rades might be benefited. Reaching the
creek ne filed his buckets and returned.
| When about half way TO the camp he
stopped and rested himself, calmly direct
| ing his gaze toward the enemy's lines, who,
! seemingly astonished by his GOODNESS, with
! held their fire and allowed him to pass un-
moiested.
| So the day wore on. Twice the Indians
| had striven to carry the camp and twice
| had they been repulsed. But Col. Mack
knew full well that he could not possibly
| hold out another day; his garrison was be-
| coming weaker, his ammunition and ra-
tons were running low, and the Indians,
having received a reinforcement, were be-
coming bolder The latter, also, taking
| advantage of the many washouts which
/ lay between the hills and the camp, had
approached to within 400 yards and were
subiecting it to most CALLING fire, some
of the bullets even finding their way into
the pit where lay the wounded.
Some one must go and find the gen.
eral," he muttered. And yet | do not
care to detail man upon this dangerous
service I'll ask for a volunteer, and then
it will be hard to decide among so gallant
a command" and a smile of pride curled
up the corners of his mouth, for the colonel
thought-justly, perhaps-that no body of
men could equal his. So resolving he
walked over to where the men were receiv-
ing their rations of one cracker and small
slice of raw bacon.
my lads, began the colonel, in his usual
quiet tone, cit is necessary that l should
tell you the state of affairs. Our rations
and ammunition cannot last us another
twenty-four hours. If relief does not come
before O'Clock tonight it will be impera-
tive for some one to break through the
enemy's lines and try to reach the general,
who believe is encamped somewhere on
Cache creek. Now, l want a volunteer.
Who'll gO?' and as he finished, for an in
slant stiffness fell upon the men, but was
almost Immediately broken by shrill,
boyish voice, followed by the deep bass of
old Jack Jones.
"TIl go, colonel" they chorused Here,
again, the owner of the falsetto voice spoke
up: Let me 90, colonel; Jones has fam
lily; / hain't," he concluded, as he rose to
his feet and revealed the 1.-the, slender
form of Willie Scott, the trumpeter, and
life of - troop.
But, sir" broke in Jones, che is only a
boy. Let me go, colonel"
But, sir" again interrupted the boy,
with what he thought an all convincing
argument, Il spoke first"
The colonel Sazed at the two a little, the
one a gray haired. bronzed faced old vet
eran, the other with his blue eyes wild with
excitement and an eager expression on his
face that seeYued to say, III get there,
never fear" so it was that the colonel
decided upon the latter.
"Come to me at half past S, boy" he said,
and turning TO old Jones he whispered,
Your chance may come yet, my brave fell
low"
81 hope SO" replied the old soldier, and,
walking away from the spot, Jones threw
himself down by an upturned wagon utter
ly inconsolable.
1t was a dark, hot, oppressive night. Not
a star could be seen; the black. heavy
clouds stretched themselves like pail over
the camp as the trumpeter, leading his
horse, passed through an opening in the
breastwork and set out upon his perilous
ride.
Mind and write to my mother, Pete, il
don't get through" he whispered to his
comrade as he passed out.
"Never fear, Bunkie, but and here
his comrades voice grew little husky
for Gods sake get through"
"I'il try" was the response, as they
squeezed each others hand and parted.
Soon the watchers in the camp lost sight
of the hoy. The sound of his horses hoofs
grew fainter and fainter, and then died
away. but still they leaned over the
breastwo-k, straining Their eyes IL the
as they tried to catch glimpse
Of their young hero
Nearer and nearer the trumpeter ap-
preached the Indian sentinels. Sometimes
he would stop, listening intently. then
move on, only to stop again and press his
hand over his horses mouth when he fan
cied he heard a noise. Suddenly con-
fused babel broke out upon his right and a
lurid glare shot skyward. Upon the brow /.
of a hill scarcely mile away he saw the |
Indian band dancing and yelling around |
fire ike a horde Of demons. Creeping I
further away into the gloom he murmured |
as he mounted, 30, God! give me time"
Then be rode forward.
On the top Of the hill which he was now |
ascending an Indian sentinel crouched |
upon the ground listening to the approach /
Of the boy. The night was so dark that he /
could not make out the rider until the lat /
ter was almost upon him, when quickly /
firing his piece he uttered war whoop |
that sounded clear across the plain, send /
ing dismay into the hearts Of the troopers /
below.
V-s-h . G.. -or,--a.sor4 Tie @-,,vr-..a-