Connecticut western news., 1891-07-09

and the bare rocks. In an hour l shall
 burn you at the stake"
 hadn't the slightest reason to hope
 he wouldn't The Cheyennes had an old
 score to settle with me personally, and
 their loss of men at the station that day must be avenged. I was turned over to guard of three warriors, and they gave
 me something to drink and to eat. I was
 hungry and thirsty and I made as good
 meal as if expected to live fifty years instead of an hour longer. A stake was
 driven while was eating, and before I
 had finished the warriors had begun col
 lecting brush.
 It was written of me by a correspond ent at Fort Wallace that Providence saved my life. Soon after the stake had
 been driven it began to rain. Although the Indian is half animal he dreads the rain, and the storm soon took all the en- thusias1n out of my captors. At the same time almost a scout came in with some news, and was soon told by the half breed that I had been respited. This scout, as afterward appeared, had discovered that the fort had neither can non nor Notifications, and it was be- ieved that the soldiers were demoralized and would surrender if attacked. At about midnight, when the rain began to hold up, all but five men set out in the direction of the fort. The five were left to guard me. They did not hesitate to tell me that the fort was to be attacked, and that they were sure of victory. slept from midnight to daylight, being staked out at the ankles and hay iv,<p |, o: oH. after daylight my guards were astir, and when breakfast had been prepared my feet were tied together, and was allowed to sit up and help myself. We were fully twenty miles from the fort, and no news was expected until late in the afternoon. When they asked me what I thought of the chances I an- swered that Roman Nose would be beaten off, and we argued the matter pro and con without the slightest ill feeling.
 What happened at the fort did not learn for some days afterward. Had Roman Nose made a secret approach to within striking distance and then charged in he would have won speedy victory. The presence of bis force was be- uA AtRy OSA GU csA OO11 y udVC, SSuu UnO Sd11 threw up breastwork from whatever could be had, caught up their horses, and the first charge took all the conceit out of the 300, several being killed or wounded, and the chief himself sustain ing severe wound from bullet. One charge en masse would have swept every cavalryman off the earth, but it was not made. After an hour of long range firing the redskins withdrew, excusing their cowardice by saying that the evil one had sent men with black faces to blind their eyes. This referred to few negro soldiers who took gallant part in the defense.
 About 4 o'clock in the afternoon a courier reached us. I knew, as did all the others, long before he reached us, that he had no good news. He told big stories of the prowess of the Cheyennes, but had to admit they were driven off with loss. My guards were directed to report with me at a certain spot on Red Deer creek, about sixteen miles away, to which the main party had resorted after being driven off. When learned that Roman Nose had been wounded I knew what was in store for me. He would get some small satisfaction for humiliation by putting me to the torture. The cou- rier did not wait to go with us, but rode off to notify small party which had been sent in another direction.
 During the entire day I had been pas sive, and betrayed no anxiety, telling the guards that had friends at the fort who would pay the chief big ransom for me. This lulled their vigilance and they treated me more as guest than a prisoner. Another friend had been ] working in my interest during the day, but did not discover it until an hour before the courier arrived. A bottle of whisky had in some manner come into possession of the guards. The bottle was kept out of sight, and it was only when their demeanor betrayed them that l knew what they had been up to. None of them was drunk, but all were happy and quite good natured.
 It was after o'clock before we were ready to set out. The five ponies and | the station horse were brought up and ] bridled and sadd1ed. This work was done by three of the warriors, while the l other two were gambling for blanket. | l sat about ten feet away from them. ] There had been no time since noon when ! l could not have cast off my bonds at will. There had been no opening for escape, but one was made now in & manner totally unexpected.
 ] The two gamblers got into . dispute and the three warriors approached to 1 quiet them. Some one was struck, and this led to quite a row. The instant it
 began I cast off the thongs, whirled about, and at one jump was beside a pony. Five seconds later I was in the saddle and digging his ribs, and believe
 l was out of the grove before was miss ed. Every horse followed mine, and went to the south as fast as horsefesh
 ever travelled the plains. Half dozen shots were fired after mo from the grove,
 but they only added to our speed. The
 run lasted for ten miles before the pace
 was decreased, and when night fell had
 addedEx or seven more. Until midnight
 I kept jogging, bearing to the left to ap-
 proach the fo-t from the east. From
 midnight to daylight rested, and at
 sunrise next moxnin was run on to by .
 wagon train and escort proceeding to the
 fort.-New York Sun.
 l A Smart Child.
 My little niece," said doting aunt,
 begins to talk quite plainly; she can
 say Paddle Daddle,' 'Nantie,' boy,
 and other words, though she is only
 ten months old."
 kkTUNI s- L