The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-09-23
"What ails ye, Miss Lois?" he de-

She walked away to q corner of the
room to be little while by herself. She
must face alone this new revelation,
which had all at once dawned upon her.
She knew she was not wrong in inter-
preting her feelings. She loved Lee
Hutchins with a wolnan's first and deep
est love, and should anything happen
him there would be no true happiness in
life for her.
But Lois Gilbert was not one to think
long of self. Mastering her new emo
tions, she was soon active in helping
others.
Here and there on the distant prairie
columns of heavy smoke ascended to-
ward the sky. To the watchers at the
blockhouse it was very clear that the
Cheyennes were firing the settlers cabins
The conference at the cottonwoods
lasted a long time. At length their
number was increased by the arrival of
two small squads.
1.-The imps have been waitin fer re-en-
forcements," said Bowland.
''Thet's So" conceded old Silas, "an
the varmints'll. be back here purity
quick, like a bolt O. hurrycan Hghtnin.
Be ready, an don't waste more ammy-
milton than yer hev ter. Thar's leetle
enuff at most" he added in low tone,
so the women could not hear. They
must be kept in good spirits if possible
and not allowed to know that their gar
rison had only an Indifferent supply of
ammunition.
The crimson and amber glows of sum
set were bathing the prairies with radi-
ant sheen. The south wind stirred the
rank grass and futtered the broad,
leathery leaves of the cottonwood before
Jordan's cabin. These manifestations
of nature seemed utterly at variance
with the scenes of havoc being enacted
all over those peaceful prairies.
Twilight was deepening into early
night, and the vanishing daylight
brought fresh terrors to many of the in
mates of the temporary blockhouse.
They We're awaiting they knew not
what.
"They're beginnin to move" an
nounced Dave Severy, who had been
keeping close watch ON the redskins.
''They're breakin up their council, an
are gettin ready to give us another
round"
"Waal, we uns ain tnappin, answered
old Silas; "only be keerful of the pow
der, boys. Make every blessed ioter of
it count"
Fiendish yells rent the air without,
and the savages renewed the attack with
vigor. The settlers had their hands fully
occupied in keeping the enemy at prop
er distance.
Owing to the falling darkness of night
their aim was not true, and there was
much wild shooting despite the warm
ings of the old commander.
But many of the Cheyennes went
down, as was attested by the yells of
anguish which would often follow a
heavy charge from the intrepid defend
erS.
Two Indians flung themselves from
their ponies, and with wild gestures tried
to urge their companions to follow their
example, but without success.
The majority of the savages evidently
feared the number of defenders behind
those rude breastworks was far greater
than it actually was, and We're cautious
enough to stick to their ponies.
With derisive howls the two Chey-
ennes, maddened at the refusal of the
others, rushed forward They reached
the rock wall, and were in the act of
scaling it, when two quick reports rang
out, and they dropped back in the throes
of death.
Lois Gilbert and Dave Severy's wife
came bravely forward from among their
terror stricken sisters, and lent valuable
assistance in helping reload the guns of
their protectors.
Notwithstanding many Cheyennes
were killed, it seemed an utter impossi-
bility to put the enemy to rout, and
more than one heart in that besieged
cabin felt like yielding to despair
This was to he accounted for from the
fact that the red besiegers We're being
REINFORCED by small wandering squads,
who, finding the different cabins which
they visited empty, We're attracted to
the scene of attack by the sound of fire.
arms reverberating wildly over plain
and river.
The hours wore on, bringing no sign
of more than occasional brief abate-
ments i'll the stubborn siege, when the
Indians would withdraw to the foot of
the hill to discuss some new method of
attack.
The moon rose above the river bluffs
to the east, and cast faint light over
the prairie. A moment later, however,
at if shocked at the hideousness despoil-
ing the night, she struggled out of sight
behind Il streak of gray clouds, which
partly obscured the eastern sky.
Like tigers the settlers continued to
fight until near midnight, when there
came a sudden lull in the shooting with
out.
''The imps o. perdition are fallin back
to the cottonwoods for another council"
cried Dave Severy, mopping his hot
brow with his coat sleeve.
The Cheyennes could be seen hurry
ing from Jordan's hill, and carrying
many of their dead and wounded with
them.
They're up to some new devilment, l
reckon" remarked Bowland.
Very like, an hev gone off ter hatch
it up" agreed old Silas. Keep er sharp
lookout, boys, for like as any way thar
goin offs only IA blind. Them Chey-
ennes air ther most persistent red cusses
in ther landI'
'Thet's jest wot they be-" replied one
Of the settlers.
Il WISH" old Silas continued, lower