Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-08
TWO SOLDIERS.


ling. Dislodge no stones" Then, slowly
and stealthily as befere, on they go-this
time down the hill toward the faint lights
Of the Indian biyouac. A hundred yards
more and Lane holds up his hand, signal
to halt; and here he gives Mr.. Royce few
instructions in a low tone. The youngster
mods his head and mutters to several of the
men as ne passes: Follow me-" They dis
appear among the rocks and trees to the
right, and it is evident that they mean to
work around to the east of the biyouac, SO
as to partially encircle them. Little by
little the wan light grows brighter, and
close at hand objects far more distinct. An
Indian is just passing in front of the near
est blaze, and is lost in the gloom among
the stunted trees One or two forms are
moving about, but they can only dimly be
distinguished. Lane argues, however, that
they are getting ready to move and no time
is to be lost.
'sSpread out now" is the order, well to
the right and left, and move forward be
very careful" And once more they resume
their catlike advance. Nearer and nearer
they creep upon the unsuspecting foe, and
soon many a form of sleeping Apache can
be made out, lying around in the grassy
basin in which they are hiding for the
night Lane motions to Corp. Riley to come
close to bis side II can see nothing that
looks like prisoners; they must be among
the trees there, where that farthest fire Is
burning. Keep close to me with your men.
Pass the word to the right, there. All
ready
And now they are 80 near the Indians
that the voices of one or two squaws can
be heard chatting in low tones; then the
feeble wall OF an infant is for moment
brought to their straining ears; Their far
out over the level valley to the west thers
is a sound that causes Lanes blood TO tingle
faint, distant, but unmistallabe--a cho-
rus of Apache yells The raiders are com
ing back; it is time to strike the blow.
Now or never seems to be the word as thu
men glance at their leader and then init
each others faces.
Forward No shot, no sound, till theJ
see us; then cheer like mad rs you charge.
| Come on, menu
Quickly now following his lead they go
leaping down the hillside. Thirty-ifty
yards without mishap or discovery; sixty,
and still no sound from the defense; then
a sudden stumble, the rattle of carbine
sliding down the rocks, muttered execra-
ton; then a shrill, piercing scream from
the midst of the biyouac; then
"Charger
| In they go-the Devils own D's!' The
still air rings with their wild hurrahs and
the crash of their carDines. The flame jets
! light up the savage scene and show squaws
and screaming children rushing for shelter
anf0ns the rocks; Apache warriors spring
! ing from the grodnd, some manfully facing
the rush of the foe, others fleeing like wo-
men down the hillside.
| Never hating an instant the soldiers
dash through the camp, driving the dusxy
occupants heller skelteg. Lane finds him
self confronted one Instant by savage
warrior whose eyes CLEAN like tigers
under the thatch OF coarse black hair, and
whose teeth gnash in fury as he tries to
force fresh cartridge into his breech
loader No time for Lane TO reload. He
clubs his carbine, and the hammer comes
crashing down on the Indians skull just
as Corp Riley drives bullet through mis-
heart
Look to the captives, mani" shouts
Lane Don't follow me! Drive theml
drive them, Roger are his ringing orders,
as he himself clashes on past the fires and
into the feeble morning light beyond.
Bangl bang! the carbines are ringing
through the rocks and trees; cheer upon
cheer gees up from the little command,
mingled with Indian yells and the screams
Of the terrified children.
'Rileys got EN-, sir, he hears his boy
trumpter call Some OF EN-. anyhow
There's two white women"
''Ncver mind, lad he answers Don't
sound the recall till tell you.
And again his ringing voice is heard
among the tumult: Forward forward!
drive theml keep them on the run, mem"
And so for five minutes longer, firing
whenever a savage head appears, inilicting
and receiving many a savgge blow, but still
VIGOROUSLY forcing their way onward. the
little band follow their leader down the
rocks until apparently not an Apache is
LEFT in the immediate neighborhood Of the
old camp. Then at last the trumpet peals
out its signal recall.
And slowly and steadily, watchfully
guarding against the possibility Of leaving
some wounded comratle among the rocks
the little command finally gathers once
more around the fires in the camp.
Riley and his men have disappeared. A
shout from up the rocks in the well known
Irish voice gives the glad intelligence that
he has brought with him all the prisoners
be could find in camp.
There are three women, sir, and two
little cnildren-two girls; they re so fright
ened that can hardly find out much srom
them. but they say there was no more left.
Every well, then. Now, men, open out
right and left isld fall back very slowly.
Sergeant, take six of the men and move up
so as to be close to Riley in case they at
tack from the flank. Are we all herey Are
any wounded or hurtsn He asks the ques
ton with little stream of blood trickling
down from his left temple, but of which
he seems perfectly unaware; either an ar
row or bullet has torn the skin and made
quite furrow through the hair
Murphy. sir, says one of the men, 'is
shot through the arm, and Lathrop has
got bullet in the leg; but they're only
flesh wounds; they're lying here just back
of u.s.
Lane turns about and finds two of his
men looking a little pale, bat perfectly
plucky and self possessed. Wen get you
along all right, men, he says: don't
worry. Now. lads, turn about every ten or
fifteen steps, and see that they don't get