Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-13

embers of a fire about which IA Indians lay
rolled in their blankets. In the midst of
the group the three children reposed be-
meath buffalo robe, lost to the memories
of their fears, WEAKNESS, chafes, and bruises.
With tear stains furrowed in the dust that
lay thick upon their faces, they slept un-
mindful of their sorrows and the rude
awakening to come.
There's only one way for rs, Harry"
Cray whispered. "We must get alongside
those children and open fire with veil.
When the Injuns break, grab the young
uns make down the holler for our horses
and get away in the darkness. We've got
to steal on 'em like snakes, then jump 'em
like devils; an if we miss at any pint
they'll ride with our scalps on their lances
to-morrer. Mind one thingi When we
turn loose, those young uns IL be the
scaredest ones in the outfit an IL run from
us like rabbits. Keep 'em by us at all haz-
ards. Save your rife for the last and if
things 60 bad, remember-don't let them
take you alive!"
Beside their rifles Harry and Cray had
each at his belt revolver and hunting
knife. Fifty yards of open ground lay be-
tween them and the savages. and over this
they must steal, shielded only BY the dim
ness of a clear night, and guarding lest the
slightest sound should carry to keen ears
q warning. They crawled over the break
of the bank and crept down the slope, NOV
ing so smoothly and cautiously that not
spear of grass rustled or pebble ratified.
They came so close to the bivouac that they
could have touched the nearest of the stall
wart forms lying each with rife or bow
and quiver at hand, sleeping with no dream
that pursuers as subtle and untiring as
themselves had followed SO speedily and
certainly on their trail.
Among the reclining forms the two
crawled toward the children, but paused as
an Indian, half waking from sleep, stirred,
dropped his hand upon his lance, and as the
the earth, raised his head, looked in the
direction OF the feeding ponies of their csv-
alcade, and keenly scanned the slopes
Casting one sharp glance at the captive
children he sunk again to sleep with hand
still resting on the weapon at his side. The
two rescurers waited few moments, then
worked themselves into position upon
each side of the children. Above them
Cray lifted his shaggy head, his cleaning
eve met Harry's, blazing with suppressed
excitement, and the mutual glance said
Ready
They come up, crouching upon one knee,
and the stiffness is shattered by the click and
sharp crack of two revolvers, like one
sound. The two nearest warriors, with a
single moan, lie still, as at the loud shouts
of the white men and the streaming re-
ports of their pistols the other Indians in
panic spring yelling from the ground. Be
wildered by the fierce attack in the midst
of their camp, they tumble before the bull
lets, dart away, leaping wildly from side to
side to avoid the shots, or dropping fiat to
the earth, worm their way through the
darkness toward their ponies.
They leave plenty Of weapons at hand TO
the attackers. His revolver emptied, Harry
seizes the Spencer carbine of the dead
warrior before him, and sends shot after
shot at the fleeing Indians. He has no time
to look around, but hears the rattle of
Cray's rapid firing behind him. -Four or
five warriors lie as they have fallen, and
the three children, adding their screams to
the outburst, try to dodge away from the
scene. Harry catches the elder boy by the
collar and filings him on his back before
him. Cray has seized the little girl and
holds her between his knees as he fires, and
shouts to Harry, "Look out for that red
skin"
One of the wounded Indians had risen to
one knee, seized his bow, and was sending
whistling stream of arrows at the at
tackers Twice Harry fred upon him with
out checking his work, and it was not until |
the third shot that this indomitable foe fell |
forward and lay quiet, still clutching his |
bow |
Look OUT" yelled Cray. "Your young
ster's gittin' awayp'
Harry had twice collared and thrown