Evening journal., 1892-09-30
Thus midnight came aud went.


ferings for water. but their discipline
was wonderful They realized the sit
uation as fully as the men, and low,
kind word or a caress quieted each one
for the time being Not one Of the an
imals had had drop for twenty-four
hours when the train was halted, and
every hour after that meant suffering
About midnight the light breeze died
entirely away and a heavy dew began
TO fall. The men licked the rocks for
tie moisture and felt relieved. Tho
horses licked at the earth the wagon
covers-the stones about them and
cooled their parched tongues and de-
layed the end.
Between midnight and daylight the
Indian attacks, if he plans night at
tack at all There was q rush for the
gold in the Black Hills. Every hour the
train held out increased the chances Of
rescue by another train coming into the
region. Every hour that the Indians
dallied there let in party from some
other quarter.
They must strike quickly or the game
might slip through their haeds.
At about half past one o'clock in the
morning the ground for half a mile
around the fort would have presented o
queer sight hal o flood Of light been
Suddenly turned On. It was covered
with creeping, crawling savages, each
one armed with knife and tomahawk
They closed in from all sides, their
movements directed by what seemed TO
be the barking of wolf.
The fusillade had slackenod q little,
but had not by any means been aban-
doned while carrying ont the other
| plan. The Indians figured that the gold
| hunters would be scattered TO watch the
| entire circle Of breastworks, and that q
rush from all sides at once must carry
/ them over at some point.
The human serpents were creeping ND
for the dash. When the signal came
every warrior would leap to his feet
sound his warwhoop and dash for the
breastworks Then for victory.
Now and then "a suspicious sound
came to the ears of the anxious listeners.
and ere long the captain was satisfied as
TO what move was intended. II lc
could not concentrate his force q rush
would end in a butchery. There wero
fifteen saddle horses tied among the
wagons. Under his orders each one of
them was loosened and led clear Of the
vehicles toward tho low wall in which
the Indians had charged before Tho
animals stood IN q bunch. heads up ard
ears working. They knew that danger
menaccd, and each was ready to spring
at the first alarm.
The men were now concentrated &c
defend three sides of the irregular circle
Each one had his Winchester and al
least one revolver, ana they We're ncrved
up for desperate fighting. For half an
hour before the attack was made Bes.
had been crouching behind the rocks by
her fathers side. Every man who could
reach her with his whispers had advised
her to retire to the wagon and put her
self out of danger, but to each one shC
had dreplied:
"Your death means my death. You
safety means my safety. / must sta,
here and do what ! can"
The redskins were within pistol sho
when the signal was at last given. Il
an instant two hundred or more sprans
TO their feet with q savage yell an,
dashed forward, and ten seconds late
there was a blaze of fire along the breast
works. Full thirty Indians rushed d
the unprotected side, and as they neare,
it without receiving the expected voliey
and as some of them grasped the rock
TO swing themselves over, their elatiol
could 10 longer be restrained Shout
Of victory rent the night air, but onl,
to die away in Wild yells Of terror.
The bunch of horses had bolted from
the row behind them. just as the captain
had planned for, and spreading ont lik
fan they thundored straight ut the loy
wall with the momentum Of tida
wave The Indians could not tel
whether the horses were mounted O
riderless. Down thundered the hvir
wave upon them, TO tramplo them unde
foot and crush the life out of some, an
panic instantly resulted.
The attack elsewhere had been fierc
and determined. AT one or two point
warriors had succeeded in scaling tn
defenses, though only to receive deaf
inside, while others had been shot dow
at the very muzzle of the rifles. tt wa
, critical moment when the stamped
of horses caused a panic and turned III
n tide Of battle. The cries Of alarm wer
heard above the din aud the effect wa
If immediate. The entire attacking part
began to d.aw off.
i The band of horses were desperai
d with hunger, thirst and excitement, an
i after clearing the wall they wheeled
the left and charged rightdown throug
- the line of Indians, scattering it in Oh
/, widest confusion Bearing still to th
left the wave thundered over anotht
p, portion of the line and then broh
n sharply away for the forks of the Bi
"a Cheyenne, as If the night air had ut Ia.
Il / borne them the scent of water.
N Ten minutes from thesounding of II
signal the fight was over. The India
~ must win at dash or his enthusias
n gives out. A dozen or more had bee
4 | killed and wounded, and the singul'
action Of the horses produced a verilab
10 panic for a few minutes.
s.Th.f 1vill he flp last firnp fhov wi