The Portland daily press., 1892-12-15

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s.Only a little dizzy" she replied,
quickly recovering herself. Il looked
too long from the loophole."
She walked away to corner of the
room to be little while by herself. She
must face alone this new revelation,
which had aaA at once dawned upon her
She knew she was not wrong in inter-
preting her feelings. She loved Lee
Hutchins with a woman's first and deep
est love, ard should anything happen
him there would be no true happiness in
life for her. g
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 assembled to-
ward the sky. To the watchers at tbs
blockhouseit 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.
Q6 uQpfS Hht6 DCtzl4 W t1dAAA Al AZ
forcements," said Bowlsnd.
..Tbet's so,' conceded old Silas, ian
the varrnints'n be back here purity
quick, like bolt O hurrycan Gghtnin.
Be ready, an don't waste more ammy-
milton than yer hev ter. Thar's leetle
e11uff at most. he added in a low tone,
SO the wo1aen could not hear. They
must be Kept in good spirits il possible
and not allowed to know that their gar
rison had only an Indifferent supply OF
agsHuaiIasn-
The crimson and amber CLOVIS Of sun
set were bathing the prasraes with radi--
ant shsen. The south wind starred the
rank grass and Huthered the broad,
leathery leaves Of Che cotsonwood before
.gordans cabin. These manifestations
of nature seauaed utterly alb variance
with the scenes az havoc baing enacted
all over thoee peaceful prairies.
Twilight was deepening into early
night, and Che vanishing daylight
brought fresh teaTors to many Of the IN
mates of the temporary hockhouse.
They were aSpaiting 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"
sWaal, We uns amt nappin," answered
old Silas; s'cnly be keerful Of the pow
der boys. Make every blessed ioter OF
it count"
Fiendish yells rent the air without,
and the sayages 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 warn
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 were cautious
enough to stick to their ponies
With derisive howis the two Chey-
ennes, naddened 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 THEN
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 cne heart in that besieged
cabin felt like yielding to despair.
This was to be accounted for from the
fact that the red besiegers were being
REINFORCED by small wandering squads,
who, finding the different cabins which
they visited empty, were attracted to
the scene of attack by the sound of FIRE
arms reverberating wildly over plain
and river. % y 80. ~. f9f
The hours wore on, bringing no sign
of more than occasional brief abate-
ments in 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 a faint light over
the prairie. A moment later, however,
at if shocked at the hideousness despol-
ing the night, she struggled ont of sight
behind streak of gray clouds, which
partly obsoured the eastern sky.
Like tigers the settlers continued to
fight until near midnight, when there
came sudden lulu In the shooting with
out.
"The imps o perdition are fallin back
to the eettonwoeds fer another council"
cried Dave Severy, hopping his hot
brow with his coat sleeve.
The Cheyennes could be seen hurry