Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-03-31

through the IrI9u uNU fuut ~ l4tt @Ft|<
out into The clearing, now almost as light
as day. for tho big, heavy barn timber
were burning clearly and steadily.
Across we went, our excited animals
plnnging aud leaping like panthers, but
still no Indians.
Past the house and within few yards
Of the burning barn we pulled up. The
silence confused us. Were we 10 late
after oil? Mechanically we closed up
a fatal move, for with unearthly yelli
and blood-curdling whoops, the Indians
from low sag in the ground ON the left
sent murderous volley crashing into
our midst.
Down went our brave horses, and
down went their riders, -Four OF vi
scrambled to our feet as we cleared our.
selves from the stirrup feathers, only e
throw ourselves behind our lead-riddled
dying animals just in time to save our
selves; for again the villains poured
their lead into us-this time, thanh
heaven, doing US no harm.
Using our horses for breastworks, we
tried to return their fire, but they were
effectually concealed.
Anybody hit?"
Eyes, i saw Hankahrow up his handf
and fall face down."
"Boys, we've got ter get out of this OF
they'll surround us sure"
''Kin we mako break for the cabin?'
II think we might manage ter crawl
thar, by kinder keeping the horses be-
tween US and the red cusses."
clark, somebody is hoilering!"
Looking over our shoulders, we saw
that the door of the shanty was partly
open, and the settler vigorously beckon-
1--WE must try an sac If poor Hank is
clean done fer, fust."
One of tho boys crawled cautiously
around to the dead horse and fallen rider,
and returning in the same manner. whis.
pered sorrowfully that "poor Hank he'd
passed in his checks"
"Now, boys, we'll make n run fer it,
stoop low" and with spring, away we
rushed for tho door.
Another stream of lead whistled by us,
but nobody fell, and in another second,
we were inside the heavy door, and help
ing tho settler barricade it.
Il heard you when you charged by,
men, but it took me some time to open
the door, as had hull lot of things
piled agin it?'
"Are We all cafe SO for, Stanton?"
eyes, thank God. My wife is guard
ing tho back of the house, and I'm
watching this part. What we feared
most is that they will fire the place, like
they did the barn My little daughter
reached you safely, did she?"
Eyes, and is staying in the dug-out al
the corral. We left two os the boys
with her."
"Now, men, I'll show you the loop
holes in the logs, and I'll go and tell the
wife the little one is safe"
Hour after hour we strained our eyes,
peering through the loop-holes trying to
catch sight of the redskins. But they
were very wary and seemed to have a
wholesome dread of venturiug into the
firelit space in the front of the house.
Presently Stanton came quietly in and
saids Boys, there's something going on
at the back that don't understand"
Leaving one man in the front room
we repaired with him to the room in the
rear of the building.
hole and stared steadily out into thu
darkness. Suddenly he stepped back
and, pulling his six-shooter, pointed i
through the loophole and fired.
A wild yell of rage answered the shot
"Aha. Thought | could fetch him.
saw him crawling up, an had burning
stick under his blanket l guess hC
won't burn no more shantics. Give mt
a chaw of terbacker, somebody"
And now we saw faint streak OF
dawn in the east, and soon the sun wa:
gliding the distant Badly Mountain, ant
what to us was q far more welcome
sight still--was glistening on the scab
bards and accoutrements of company
of Uncle Sans boys as they CANE
through the pass ut o sharp trot.
The barricaded door was quickly
thrown open. and rushing out we say
the Indians in full retreat mile out oil
the mesa. Judging from their hast
they must have seen the cavalry, TO
they were pushing their ponies.
The cavalry had also caught sight o
them, for they were coming like tn
wind, and as they swept by, in spite o
our WEAKNESS and grief at the loss of GU
pard, we cheered them until we wer
hoarse.
The next day we obtained horses On
safely escorted the settler. his wife an
baby to the Cactus Ranch.-[Overlan
Monthly.