The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24

hOiSt-d tnOVe0lcnt 40 VI ooiuo cue CfdWi-
ing through the grass like themselves.
They stopped and listened and waited
and heard it again. but they were not
able 10 locate 1t nor to determine which
way it was going.
OF course this story aroused every
mans fear of night attack from the In
dians; they had not really expected that,
though they had remained in readiness
for it throughout the night Now every
mans hair stood on end at thought OF the
scalping knife and the tomahawk, and
every man fancied be could hear the red
skinned serpents crawling through tho
dry grass straight 80 the corral. A dozen
men were lying with ear TO the ground
listening, when, close and clear, came
the words:
Don't shoot, boys; it is friend and
King, the wagon master, sprang into the
corral. els il all right, pardners? Am
| welconey' he continued, excitedly
glancing about in evident doubt as TO
his reception.
Welcome? Yes! Yes!" chimed many
voices, and the men clustered about
him, trying to grasp his hand in JOY.
The help of even one more man was
cheering. But while they crowded
around him for the first greeting they
could see by the starlight that he was
trying TO look beyond them and over
their heads. Almost unconsciously he
pushed forward toward the wagon, and
suddenly, as they all turned to follow
him, he stepped quickly out of the group
and caught the strange woman in his
arms.
If an Indian with an uplifted toma-
hawk had appeared in their midst it
could not have surprised them more
But they comprehended in moment
and when they heard King exciaim.
"Janeyl' and saw the two figures melt
into one in the uncertain light, they fell
back a little and waited. Not long,
however, for very soon King turned and
said addressing them all:
"Pardners you SEQ how it is She
came out TO meet me- che is my promised
wife. found you in trouble, IN danger,
and | could not stay away. / ought to
have joined her at Westport Landing
there was a reason. Can we let that go?
| thought maybe could help You out of
this Where's old Jose? | heard that
you made him captain at the Grove"
Silently heads were nodded toward
the gray blanket and spectral arms
pointed out the two dead
clancy" still stood by the wagon
masters side, encircled by his strong
arm, but as soon as King saw the
motionless form of the old captain he
pressed another hurried kiss upon her
white face and told her to go back TO the
wagon.
There's no time to lose" he said,
you know the Indians viii be moving
with the first streak of light. What is
your plan, boys"
81 reckon wen make you captain the
first thing we do" said a gruff voice,
and an echo of eyes" Eyes" and Isl,
ISL came from every side.
1t was very informally done but the
election of the new captain was unani-
nous, and before the morning showed
ever so family in the east the plan Of
campaign was arranged. Then the gray
darkness came on, the ghostly, uncer-
tain hour that is darker than midnight,
and then the pink promise Of the sun.
Still there waS not an Indian In sight
nearer than the camp on the Arkansas.
The entire band was yet there moving
about restlessly. Soon courier started
toward the corral riding swift pony
and carrying a white rag on pole-a
flag of truce.
"Well meet him, " the captain prompt
" said. LET every soldier in the cor
raj put on all the regaha he has and
I follow me-"
1t was well understood that King
could speak the language Of any tribe in
/ that region, and his natural assumption
of leadership inspired confidence. Every
man prepared to do his bidding. Guns
were examined and then the captain
stepped outside the encircling line Of
wagons closely followed by the squad Of
soldiers. The Indian courier immedi-
ately halted and began the most violent
gesticulations, which were easily inter
preted to mean that the soldiers must
retire or he would not advance.
Captain King waved him back and
motioned that his men would stand
their ground.
The maddened Indian dug his spurs
into his ponys sides and galloped back
to the camp. After few minutes par
ley he started out again with score Of
painted braves at his back. AS they ad-
vanced, Captain King stepped forward
alone and signifed his willingness to
listen TO the courier who carried the
white flag. He was told that the savages
demanded complete surrender and ex-
tended promise of kind treatment.
These terms they thought would be ac-
cepted because of their superior num-
bers. When the Indian had delivered
his message the captain pointed behind
him TO the soldiers-of whose presence
in the corral he hoped the Indians had
not known the day before, and said:
''You see we have the Great Fathers
fighting men to protect us, and before
noon today there viii be many more at
the Big Rock, on the way from Fort
Dodge. When they come we will fight
you in open field. Till then we have
great stores Of powder and bullets. We
will not surrender"