Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-11-11
CHAPTER Ill.


The carefully prepared trap of the In
dians had failed. Ii was only when the
white man had turned sharply aside,
punched the wagons, placed tho spare
horses as safely as possible and began
rolling the powders together for a
brcastworks that the red man realized
that he had been sold out
Then they swarmed out of the ravines
tho warriors of Iron Heart, of Red
Eagle, of Black CrOw-three hundred
strong. and mounting their wiry ponies,
which had lain as close as rabbits, they
swarmed out and over the plains and
gave vent to their disgust and indigna-
tiun.
Had they charged en- masse the little
band of white men must have been
swept away by the momentum, but they
delayed and every moment saw the
breastworks strengthened by another
bowlder. The Indian must feint and
dodge before he strikes. In that char
ac,cristic he is below the serpent. He
must consult and powwow before he ad-
vances This is to brace him up.
More than half an hour was consumed
in demonstrations Of bluff before the In
dians were ready to act. Then it was
to advance lns natural weapon first
trcachery. A white man-some rene
gade and criminal who feared even the
mixed society of the west and had gone
over TO the enemies of his race body and
soul-advanced with white flag tied to
stick rs flag of truce. He advanced
boldly and impudently, but when within
pistol shot of the breastworks was halted
by the captain and asked what he wanted.
"Sce hyar, | feel sorry fur you folks"
he said in reply. "And | hev cum to
help ye out of bad scrape. Thar's reds
'nutf yere TO chaw ye up in five minits,
and twice as MANY more will be yere at
uEdown. They know whar ye ar
bound fur. and they ar determined to
stop ye."
We'll, what else" asked the captain
as the renegade paused.
They wanted to wipe ye out to the
last man, but I've prevailed upon 'em to
spare ye in case yen turn back. That's
what I've come to tell ye."
"lf we turn back we won't be
harmedT
Not a hair of yer heads. Jist take
the back track and that'll end the mat
trr ut once"
"And suppose we don't?'
Then God help yel Yell be chawed
10 pieces in ten minits!"
You go back and tell your friends to
begin chawing as soon rs they pleased"
shouted the captain, and every man in
the inclosure cheered the words.
There was more delay as the renegade
went back to report, and every man
worked TO build tho breastworks higher
and strengthen it. Wagons and horses
occupied solid square of less than half
an acre. 1t was the highest ground
within cannon shot. This was as good
rs another foot on the height of the
breastworks. Twenty-Five men distrib-
uted around that inclosure would make
n terribly thin line, but twenty-five
Winchester rifles would maintain ter
ribly destructive fire.
But treachery had not yet exhausted
itself. Your noble red man of Cooper
eulogy depends upon that even when at
lacking women and children. Back
came the renegade to say:
"Yo better take the chance hold out
TO ye. The Indians hev got mad, and
nothin but yer promise and the quick
performance of it will save yer scalps.
II n gun is fired can't hold 'em
mint"
IF we turn back we will not be mo-
Tested" queried the captain.
Not a red shall cum nigh ye."
But we have only your word for it."
(which orter be good huff. l am
workin to save ye scalps."
"And you think the way to do it is to
turn us all over to theml Get back, you
lying renegade-get out of range or
well drop you'll"
The renegade beat a hasty retreat,
and few minutes later the Indians dis
mounted, crept about the plateau to
form IA circle, and opened fire on the
brcastworks from three hundred rifles.
They had waited too long for rush,
but the little band was encircled.
Water! Not drop!
Forage! Not an ouncel
Provisions. Yes, but they must be
eaten in raw state.
The Indians had but to preserve their
circle of fire about the fort and nature
would do the rest. Men may escape the
bullet, but thirst kills.
And what of Joe and Bess? As soon
as the Indians appeared on the tianks of
the train he had hidden her out of sight,
and he had hopes up to the opening of
the battle that she had not been seen.
When he knew that danger was i'm
minent he did not conceal the fact from
her She grew a shade paler, but she
shut her teeth hard and threw off the
womanish feeling which would have
weakened her.
I'VE are to be attacked?" she queried
as the wagons were packed and the men
began Mt the breastworks.
at looks that way" replied Joe, "but
IT may I've only bluster. You had best
keep out of sight.
But every one Of us will be wanted
20 handle a firearn. | can shoot with
either rifle or revolver. See? have
revolver. IL there is danger must take
l. 81, l,a