The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-02-23

60 Know, nm Dy signJ as yes.
Well, goodnight, sir. I'll take myself
off and go to my own tent. -
Daybreak again, and far to the east |
the sky is all ablaze. The mist is creep
ing from the silent shadows under the
banks, but all is life and vim along the
shore. With cracking whip, Juggling
trace, sonorous blasphemy, and ringing
shout, the long train is whiriing ahead
almost at the run. All is atirill with
excitement, and bearded faces have a
strange, set look about the jaws, and
eyes CLEAN with eager light and peer
searchingly from every rise far over to
the southeast, where stands tumbfng
heap of hills against the tightening sky.
''Off there, are tbey?'' says a burly
trooper, dismounting hastily to tighten
up the ''cinch" of his weather beaten
saddle eve can make it quick enough,
S soon as we get rid of these blasted
wagons" And, swinging into saddle
again, he goes cantering down the slope,
his charger snorting with exhilaration in
the keen morning air.
Before dawn a courier has gailoped
into camp, bearing dispatch from the
commanding officer of the Rifiers. 1t
says bat few words, but they are full of
meaning: 1--WE have found big party
of hostiles. They are in strong position,
and have us at disadvantage. Rayne1
with his four companies is hurrying to
us. Leave all wagons with the boat
under guard, and come with every horse
and man you can bring.
Before o'clock the wagons are parked
close along the bank beside the Far
West, and Hull, with ell the men he can
muster-some fifty-is trotting ahead on
the trail of Rayner's battalion. With
him rides Mr.. Hayne, eager and en-
thusiastic. Before 10 o'clock, far up
along the slopes they see the blue line of
skirmishers, and the knots of reserves
farther down, all at a stand. In ten
minutes they ride with foaming reins in
behind low ridge on which, flat on
their faces and cautiously peering over
the crest, some hundred infantrymen
are disposed. Others, officers and file
| closers, are moving to and fro in rear.
They are of Rayner's battalion. Far
| ther back, down in a ravine, dozen
forms are outstretched upon the turf,
and others are bending over them, min
istering to the needs of those who are
not past help already. Several officers
crowd around the leading horsemen and
Hull orders: Halt, dismourt and loosen
girths" The grave faces owsthat7the
infantry has had poor luck, and the sit
| uation is summarized in a few words.
The Indians,are in force occupying the
ravines and ridges opposite them and
confronting the six companies farther
over to thewest. Two attacks haveebeen
made, bat the Indian fire swept every
approach, and both were unsuccessful.
Several soldiers were shot dead, others
severely wounded. Lieut.. Warren leg
is shattered below the knee; Capt. Blouni
is killed.
"Where's RaynerT' asks Hull, with
grave face.
/ ''Just gone off with the chief to looh
at things over ON the other front. The
colonel is hopping. He is bound to have
those Indians out of there or drop a-try
ing. They'll be back in a minute. The
general had a rousing fight with Dull
Knife's people down the river last even
ing. You missed it again, Hull; all thu
til were there but F and K, and, O
course, old Firewater wants to make a:
big a hit here"
"The til fighting down the river las
night?' asks Hull, in amaze.
"Yes-swept clean round them ant
ran EN- into the stream, they say
wish we had them where we could Sc,
'em at all. You don't get the glimpse o
head, even; but all those rocks ar
lined with the beggars. Damn them!
says the adjutant, feelingly.
"We'll get our chance here, then," re
plies Hull, reflectively. "I1l creep u
and take look at it. Take my horse
orderly"
Heis back in two minutes, grave
than before, bat his bearing is spirite
and firm. Hayne watches him wit
!, kindling eye.
you'll take me in with you when yo
> charger he asks
! 1T is no place to charge there. TIL
ground is all cut up with ravines an
gullies, and they've got cross fire tina
sweeps it clean. Well probably go j
on the other flank; it's more open there
Here comes the chief now"
Two officers come riding hastily aroun
;, a projecting point of the slope and spu
at rapid gait towards the spot where til
cavalry have dismounted and are breath
> ing their horses. There is hardly tin
= for salutations. A gray headed, kee
= eyed, forid faced old soldier is the co
: onel, and he is swapping with electricit,
apparently.
: "Fhis way, Hull. Come right here, an
Eli show you what you are to do" Ant
: followed by Rayner, Huh and Hayn,
> the chief rides sharply over to the e.
:, = IRENE left of the position and points I
:, the frowning ridge across the intervenin
II swale:
u "There, Hull; there are twenty
: thirty Of the rascals III there who get
L flank fire on us when we attack on OF
side. What want you to do is to moul
Your men, let them draw pistol and
= ali ready. Rayner, here, will line ii
= ridge to keep them down in front. I
> go back to the right and order the attae
at once. The moment we begin and yc
! hear our shots, you give a yell, ar
f. charge full tilt across there, SO as to dri'
out those fellows in that ravine. We CO
y do the rest. Do you understand
81 understand, colonel; butts it yel
= order that attempt to charge mount'