Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-11-29

Not one of tho last shots seemed td
have touched foe. But the discharg,
had the effect 10 drive the gang OF 10 q
group % cottouwoosls below the hill
Here they held q careful consultation.
This gave the settlers chance 90 re.
load and make things ready for the neni
attack.
While the men got their weapon,
ready Lois mounted sentinel at loop
hole commanding . plain view Of the
Indians at the cottonwood. The two
dead redskins that lay where they hal
fallen on the hill caught her eye. She
turned pale and shudder ran through
her frame.
"Sich things hev got ter be In injun
hghtin. remarked old silas philosoph'
icaily as he noted the girls emotion.
She made no reply. hut she kept
thinking how many of those untutor~i
redmen aud perhaps many Of her own
people must fall before peace could bs
restored.
Then she wondered II her father real.
~ was safe at Scrub Station. lie would
surely receive intelligence there u the
outbreak. and would not venture 10 re-
turn alone acro-s the uninhabited prai.
ries. where be would Ia likely 10 en-.
counter the Cheyennes.
She thought. too. Of Lee Hutchins nd.
ing brayely away by himself 10 warn
Others OF danger. Perhaps she might
never see hun again. His mission was
one 80 full ID peril 10 himself!
Suddenly Der heart seemed 10 stand
still. She staggered and might have
fallen had not Dave s-yery pat out an
arm to steady her.
"whAt ails ye. Miss Loisy' he de-
manded.
"only.a little dir1y." she replied,
quickly recovering herself. Il looked
too long from the loophole."
She walked away Ia = corner of the
room "a bs q little while by herself. She
must fac. alone this new revelation.
which had all at once dawned upon her.
She knew she was not wrong In inter.
pr,ting her feelings. She loved Leo
Huichins with q woman's first and deep
e.t love. and should anything happen
him there would L. no true happiness In
life for her.
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 iher, on the distant prairie
columns ~ heavy smoke ascended to-
ward the sky. To the watchers at ths
blockhouse IL was very clear that the
Chcyenne- wer. firing the settlers cabins.
The conference st the cotionwood-
lasted q long time. At length their
nulnler was increased by the ARRIVAL VI
two small squads.
"rhe imp- have been waitin fer re-en.
forcemen,s. |" saii Bowland.
"Thets 80" ooincidei old Silas, ian
the yarmints'li b. back here purity
quick. like q holt o. hurrycan lightnin.
Be ready. an don't waste more ammy.
milton than yer hev ter. Thar's leetle
enuff nj most" he addei In q low tone,
~ the women could not hear. They
must H. kept In good spirits II possible
and not allowed Ia know that their gar
rison hal only sn indifferent supply Of
ammunition.
The crimson and amber glows of sun.
.et were bathing the prairie- with radi.
ant sheen. The south wind stirred the
rank gras. and nut'ered the broad,
leathery leaves IL the cottonwood before
JOr,lan's cabin. These manifestations
Of nature seemed utterly at variance
with the scenes u havoc bring enacted
all over those peaceful prairies.
Twilight was Deepening into early
night. aud the vanishing daylight
brought fresh terror- to many - the In.
mate. of be temporary blockhouse.
They were awaiting they knew not
what.
They're b-ginnin Ia move" an
nounced Dave Seyery. who hal bcen
keeping close watch on the redskins
They're br.akin mp their council. an
are get'in ready TO give rs another
round"
"waal. we uns amt nappin. answered
old silas; "only bc keerful of the pow.
der. boys. Make every blessed ioter Of
Il count"
Fisndish yells rent the air without,
and the savages renewed the attack with
vigor. The settlers had their hands fully
occupied In keeping the enemy NJ prop
er distance.
Owing 10 the falling darkness OF night
their aim was not true, and there was
much wild shooting despite the warn.
ing- of the old commander.
But many of the Cheyennes went
down, as was attested by the yells OF
anguish which would often follow =
heavy charge from the intrepid defend.
ers.
Two Indians flung themselves from
their ponies. and with wild gestures tried
to urge their companions 10 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 II actually was, and were cautious
enough 20 stick 10 their ponies.
With derisive howls the two Chey.
ennes, maddened at the refusal Of the
others, rushed forward. They reached
the rock wall. and were In the act of
scaling II. 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 their
terror stricken sisters, and lent valuable
assistance In helping reload the guns Of
their protectors.
Notwithstanding many Cheyennes
were killed. IL seemed an utter impossi.
bility 10 put the enemy 20 rout, and
more than one heart In that besiege'i
cabin felt like yielding 10 despair.
This was 10 te accounted for from the
fact that the rel besiegers were being
re-enforcei 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 rcverbeHting wildly over plain
and river.
The hours wore on. bringing no sign
Of more than occasional brief abate-
ments In the stubborn siege, when the
Indians would withdraw 10 the foot of
the hill TO discuss some new method OF
attack.
The moon rose above the river bluffs
TO the east. and cast . faint light over
the prairie. A moment later. however,
at II shocked at the hideousness despoil-
Ing the night, she struggled out Of sight