San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-11-25

''rUrward!" rings the slgnaI from Jne
southwest. Forward with them, then,
around that point at the low bluff to our
front, and in the ghostly, gathering
light the scene is before US, the tale il
| almost told.
There, thickly dotting the prairie and
covering the low ground, its wigwams
smoke begrimed and dingy, lies an In
dian encampment; but even in such
shelter as this the hostile horde has
Jared far better than they who through
the long, freezing night have kept watch
and ward lest again the wary chief
should slip through the meshes. 1t has
come at last. The big warriors fanat-
ical braves have made their rush, Ber-
rien's men the tackle, Back flew the
signal with the setting sun. Up through
the night came Farquhar with ''the
guards"
Here in front the four old troops we
know so well have shivered for hours
about the village. Here, alert and de-
termined, Rolfe and Hazlett, Thorpe and
Gorham, have chung to front, flank and
rear, we'll knowing that so soon as tue
colonel got the news he would not only
speed the second battalion on its way,
but, gathering any other forces be could
find, would ride the long night through,
if need were, to join his men.
Stern and silent Rolfe Is standing at
the bank of the stream, wearied enough,
yet certain that there is no rest before
them. On him as senior the command
has devolved in the absence of the be-
loved major now being tenderly nursed
and comfortably trundled homeward in
the warm interior of a Pullman. No
excitement, no cheer attends the coming
of the column now at steady, soldierly
gait winding into the shallow depression.
Rolfe knows that without Farquhar and
his re-enforcementsa attack upon or inter-
ference with so formidable band would
be worse than desperation. He know
that with Farquhar his own position will
be only that of subordinate, and that he
must obey. He knows how, were he SUI
preme, thousand troopers at his back,
he would conduct matters now. But
Farquhar is soldier long accustomed
both to obedience and to command; Role
is one to whom obedience comes with
laggard grace, to whom command is OPP
pertunity for lavish vent of his imperious
will.
Orders or no orders, if he had the
power he would deal death to the rabid
renegades before him. Orders to "bring
on the Indians, but not bring on fight"
to his thinking are orders like those
which should forbid a mans going TO
water until he had learned to swim.
Orders to disarm but not modest are
simply something to BE laughed to scorn.
When were the Sioux ever known to
surrender those precious arms? Such
things when reported in years gone by
turned out to be as rusty shams as the
arms turned in. RoEe was in mood as
sullen as the morn, and the signs about
the now bustling village were not to his
liking. Over among the tepees blanket
ed squaws were scurrying about, their
shrill voices suppressed, but their black
eyes flashing hatred at the silent squads
of troopers, carbines ready in hand,
watching every move within the guarded
lines. Young women and boys were
belaboring the gaunt and detected ponies.
Eager gestures and low EXPLANATIONS
called attention to the coming force, and
in groups the warriors, shrouded to the
very lips in their heavy robes, stood OF
sat in council; but all the while, darling
from point to point with fierce declam-
atory gesture, went Mephisto himself
in the Indian medicine man." Mark!
wheresoever he goes eager ears are bent
to hear his exhortation.
my God! why can't l arrest him at
least? With that old scoundrel done for
the rest might not be 40 hard" is Rolfes
impatient exclamation.
"Simply because the attempt would
lead to instant fight" is Hazlett's cool
reply.
But, man, he's putting them up to
organized resistance. He's giving them
some instructions now; you can see it
just as well as do"
"Who doesn't? but A suggestive
shrug of the shoulders indicates the
brother captains opinion. you know
the old saying, Rolfe, ''Ours not to make
reply"
who's in command of those advanced
men fronting that part of the village%
asks Rolfe after a moments gloomy
pause.
Brewster. Don't you see? He's talk
ing with Sergeant Ellis there now"
Rolfe grinds his heavy boot heel into
the frosted bunch grass not more harsh.
ly than he grinds his teeth. "By heav.
EN- Hazlett. bear me witness to this. TO,