The National tribune., 1892-03-24

chiefs had been schooled in warfare against
people of their own kind and color.
In course of time, and in furtherance o.
the plans adopted by the Government, several
forts were built in the Powder River lands
and those who went thither thought lasting
protection was to be afforded ali who sought
out this Edorado of the North. But the dream
was as brief as pleasant.
Two wears of hostiltics with the tribes
seemed to frighten the military authorities,
and it was decided to give back this paradise
20 the Indian, and let him have again his hunt
Dg-ground and war-trail.
Orders were issued for the abandonment OF
the three posts, and one day the troops marched
out and turned their backs on Forts Reno.
hearny. and G. Z. Smith. In the minds of many
it was pusillanimous concession to a lot OF
greasy redskins Who never cared for peace, and
who, few years later, repaid the kindness OF
the Government by the massacre of gallant
Custer and his heroes.
The three posts were abandoned so burriedly
that some whites, who knew nothing OF what
Eas going on, were left behind, and conse-
quently at the mercy of q lot of Indians ready
10 sweep down upon them and scalp them, who
did fall upon the forts and make ruins Of them
with the ruthlessness of an army of vandals
One afternoon a man riding over the hills
not far from one of the posts, reined in his
horse and gave vent TO an exclamation of
wonder and horror.
Hewas white man, clad In half buckskin cos
tune. His beard and hair were sandy in hue.
and well filled with the yellowish dust of the
mountain trails. Everybody knew him, for
his name was Morgan, and he was known ss
scout and Indian fighter throughout the whole
region.
Sandy Morgan had been on a weeks scout,
and though he had inklings of the policy Of the
Government he did not expect to see the fort
Rh1pfnuad yyhnvs no rpaaha5 ba ton aF ba hill
But he looked down upon heap of smoking
ruins for the torch of Spotted Tail had been at
work, and that willy old rascal had taken great
delight ia burning the forts, only regretting
that he was not able to decorate his belt with
the scaips Of the officers in command.
Morgan rode down the rise and was about
10 spur his horse toward the fort, when several
dark figures greeted him among the passes be-
Fond the ruins.
The reds are on the ground yet" he said
under his breath. They expect to catch old
Morgan mapping, but we will see"
He turned his horses head and started TO-
ward ravine, but the following moment he
was startled by dozen rife-shots, and the bull
lets whistled round his head.
Gaining the ravine, he looked back to see so
redskins In pursuit, and spurring his horse on,
he rode out Of the place which might have be-
come trap and gained another where he knew
he would be safe, at least for the present.
Morgan knew every foot of the region, and
the spot which be had sought had been visited
by him before. 1t was natural CASTLE Great
cliffs above him to the hight of 300 feet and
the riVep bill was full of caverns, some of which
was nearly large enough to shelter regiment.
1t seemed to Sandy Morgan that the Indians
had abandoned the pursuit, but when night
came and he crept forth, leaving his horse in
she depths Of the cavern, he was soon disabused
Of this idea.
He had been literally surrounded BY hun
dreds of Indiansi
They were everywhere as be could discover
by crawling snske-like among the bushes
Their war parties were to be found on every
hill and at every pass.
de could not help smiling to himself when
be found that the Sioux had come out en- masse
so capture one lone man; but that man was q
host, and had been thorn in red sides through
more than one hot border campaign.
The next day Morgan was in state Of siege.
From the entrance TO his retreat he could look
down upon tie war bonBets of more than 500
Indians He saw them everywhere, and while
they coEid not see him, ne noticed that they
believed he had taken refuge somewhere
among the caves, and were getting ready to
drag him out for torture
Armed with q Winchester and having a
plentiful supply of ammunition, thanks to a
bootless scout Sandy Morgan quietly awaited
Ane Oi'6LtNs VI ble Ualtle.
lie saw the savages advance with caution
across the ground beneath his position, and
more than once he drew up to drop some adven-
turoGs crawler, but desisted through fear of pre-
cipitating the battle while daylight lasted.
Presently there appeared on one of the hills
opposite Morgans retreat tall Indian, who
carried at the end of bow o white rag after
the manner Of flag of truce.
lou mean. miserable greaser, do you think
II Enrraufar m hntn
Spotted Tally" exclaimed Sandy, as he watched
the bearer OF the flag :" didn't come all the
way Out here from Kentucky to march down
into the hands Of lot of red devils and make a
fool OF myself, besides forever disgracing the
whole Morgan family. You kin 60 back with
the rag and report to your chief that the last
Morgan is no chump."
The Indian crossed the little valley watched
by hundreds OF eyes on the surrounding hills
and when Morgan thought he was near enough,
he ran down the slope al the mouth of his cave
and springing upon q bowlder, asked the red
what he wanted.
The scout was familiar with the several
Ssngasges spoken In the Powder River country.
and waited anxiously for the flag bearers re-
ply.
The Indian said Spotted Tail did not want to
kill the man who had been left behind by the
troops, and that If Morgan surrendered he would
be conducted some miles over the trail made
by the soldiers and let go.
Now. that's clever" said Morgan in reply.
The wonder is that il didn't break Spotted
Tails heart 10 get rid of that amount OF kind
ness I'm sorry. but don't care to go after the
troops in that way. am satisfied where / am,
and guess won't go of till I'm ready"
The Indian turned and went back There
was sudden grouping Of feathered head
dresses on the hills. and Morgan heard a wild
yell announce the reception of his ultimatum.
Heknew what that meant--,Yar to the knife.
Night came again and the old scout kept
watch and ward at the door Of his strong
hold.
But he was anxions 10 know what the In
dians were doing, and with this in view he
crept forth, and actually, before he knew il,
reached the enemy's lines.
The night was dark, so dark, indeed, that one
could scarcely see ones hand when placed close
20 the face. Morgan was near the Indian
lines that lie overheard conversation.
lie learned that something besides himself
was troubling portion of the red armv
numlLer Of women, eager TO witness the burning
of the msfs1--.-.-'s forts, had accompanied
Spotted Tail and his warriors TO the scene, and
a child belonging to the old chiefs daughter
had straycd from camp and was missing.
Everywhere the Indians were looking for
the little one, and Morgan heard them say that
they were afraid it would fall into the hands
Of the white scout cooped up in the cavern.
He went back, creeping through the bushes
that shielded him, but every now and then
paused 10 listen, for he fully expected to hear
q lot of Indians at his heels.
Ali at once he stopped and stood stock STILL
He had been startled by q cry which came
from 8 spot some distance to his right. and