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

that SuCh course NOe'i httfo eiie haN-
ages fire the prairie That, they knew,
would be the last resort. The Indians
wanted to preserve the grass III that vi
cinity OF their camping grounds, and
they especially wanted to secure the
,>owder belonging 30 the trains. At that
time each wagon carried ono or two
tweuty-fve pound kegs. There was
policy, too, in deceiving the Indians in
regard TO the supply Of ammunition. IL
the men were reckless in firing and
wasted bullets on ponies unnecessarily
it would immediately make known the
fact that they could hold out a long
time, and the Indians would accordingly
husband their resources
The sun rode high in the heavens, and
the blue sky Of the morning turned TO a
white heat. The cattle in the corral
bawled for water in every lull Of the
firing, and raised their great horns and
looked with dumb wonder out Of their
CLASSY eyes when the noise began again
and the sitting smoke pulled in their
nostrils A detail of the drivers stood
guard over them to prevent them from
stanpeding from side TO side of the cor
raj Once In awhile one of the beasts
fell over with bullet hole in his hide.
The strategy Of the hour was to gain
time. II was folly to think Of weaken
ing such band Of Indians so that they
would abandon the Siege. The raid had
evidently been well planned, and the
savages were doubtless well aware Of the
value Of the booty. Constant vigilance
ON the part of every man In the corral
was maintained for hours. For a long
time the two women obeyed orders and
sat in barricaded wagon that had been
retained within the Enclosure for their
use, but the excitement was too great;
they could not endure the inactivity
besides the wagon masters wife could
load gun as well as any man, and she
had been in more than one Indian fight
They climbed down cautiously and she
was assigned position where she could
load for a sharpshooteE, so that he might
not lose a single opportunity to hit
redskin.
Just at that moment two Of the men
ia the corral fell over, one mortally hurt
end the other with a shattered arm.
Then the woman from st. Louis had
something 10 do. Both the men were
borne into the shade of the wagon, and
in very few minutes the sergeant who
knelt beside the unconscious man pro
nounced him dead A few gentle but
hurried movements Strengthened his
warm limbs, an army blanket was spread
over him and all that part Of his being
that could fear an Indian passed beyond
the corral The sergeant had at one
time been detailed on special duty with
An army surgeon and had picked up a
little knowledge that now proved to be
OF value to the man with the wounded
arm. That member was dressed and
bandaged, and the quiet woman very
naturally assumed the place of nurse.
But the motioniess form lying there
under the blanket-thst was the awful
presence TO this besieged company. Who
would lie next beside him? the question
would arise in every mans mind.
As the day wore on toward It's close
the only hopeful sign the caravan could
zee was that the Indians IN the camp by
the river were growing restless. They
sent out scouts 20 scan the prairles from
the highlands NJ short intervals, and
they could be seen making preparations
for moving. Evidently they feared re-en-
forcements for the train, troops passing
by on their way to or from the forts, or
q body Of we'll armed trappers. Some
knowledge Of this kind made them I'M
easy, OF they were short Of ammunition
Either suppoSition was favorable 10 the
corral and the tired men took fresh
courage. Gradually the besieging In
dams Withdrew toward the river until
only a few determined braves were left
riding around the corral at safe distance,
now and then firing q ranGom shot from
a rife, or a poisoned arrow from bow.
The men who had made this long de-
Tense had not tasted food since break
fast and were Just finding out how hun
CRY and weary they were, now that the
great strain was over and the Indians
had withdrawn for the night. The
sharpshooters were still on the lookout,
with rifles IN readiness, but the call for
supper went around the line and every
mans spirits rose with the hope that
early dawn would see the departure of
the Indians. Old Jose got up from his
crouching position Of vantage to give
directions for the night, when, swift as
an arrow, young brave dashed few
PAGES forward, took quick aim, fired
and sent a bullet whizZing through the
air that lodged in the old Mexican's
heart. The Indian fell almost In the
same instant. His lingering comrades
uttered uneaxthly bowls of rage, halted
amoment to measure with keen eye the
distance between his hfeless body and
the corral, and then gallopedSf to camp
without it.
His was the form to lie next the first
victirn-poor old Jose Valdez hls one
ambition not yet half fulfilled. But
then he fell with harness on" and II
the fatal bullet did strike him IN the
back-no one would ever know. Not
one of that brave band would ever tell
the tale. They knew his spirit was to
the fore. "He died game no better
epitaph could be framed III their yocab-
ulary.
And now the caravan was without
captain. A council Of war must be held