Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1892-11-11

TO BeSS he sald
There's none among US ever made a
better shot. He was leader among
them"
But I'm so sorry had to do it," she
pleaded. "Oh, if they'd only leave US
alone or be at peace! Think of my tax
ing human life!"
''And I'm afraid the worst is not over"
whispered Joe. Il know the devils.
They'll never leave us until they have
our scalps. You may have to shoot
others"
The girl burst into tears at the
thought, but quickly brushing them
away she said:
''Their blood be upon their own heads.
My mother used a rifle against the re-
bellious Sepoys when attacked, and l
should be ashamed if l did not help in
my own defense here"
When all had broken their fast the
captain whispered to Joe and two others
whom he knew to be experienced in In
dian warfare, and as they crouched
down under the shelter of the breast
works he said:
I've got my idea about this thing,
but | want to counsel with you. First
and foremost, there's anywhere from
two hundred to two hundred and fifty
redskins around u.s."
"Fully three hundred" replied Joe.
"They attempted to ride over us, but
We're soundly thrashed," continued the
captain. "If there We're only one hundred
they'd pull up stakes and tackle US far
ther on, but this big crowd won't think
of such a move. We've got the whip
row on 'em in one sense, but before to-
morrow night every tongue will be
parched with thirst. If they hold US
here three days We'll be drinking the
blood of the horses. In week We'll be
madmen. Now, then, who has anything
to say:'
Not a voice answered for a long
minute, and then it was Joe who re-
oiled:
"There's only one string to hang a
hope on. If we can get help to beat 'em
off we are saved for the time. If we
can't we must go under"
why not mount the horse and make
dash for it, leaving the outfit in their
hands," qUeried one of the men.
How many would live to get twenty
miles away, do you think? Not one!
The Indians would ride over us in no
time. l tell you, boys, we have got into
bad row, and l must confess that l
can't see any way out of it. But what's
-FOUR string, Joe:'
The day we left Brule City saw a
man who had come down from Fort
6ully," replied the young man. HE
said that troops had been ordered for
ward to protect emigrants and that a
number of gold seekers, hunters and
trappers would start with the soldiers.
If that body of men followed the Big
Cheyenne, which of course they would
do up to the forks, and if they started
two days behind us as they were to,
where should they be now?"
Being mounted as we are, and hav-
ing three or four wagons at least, they'd
make about our distance. The forks
are not over twenty miles away, and
they may be there tonight or not get up
for another day yet. But how are we
to get help from them?'
Let them know of our peril"
Gan any of US fy?'
mo, but we can walk and run and
ride. One of us must be out of here
within an hour on the way to the forks.
He must find the men from Sully and
bring EN- down on the rear Of this tribe
of redskins"
"A rabbit couldn't make his way
through, the circle the demons have
formed about us" replied the captain
in tones Of detection.
But u man of my size can and will"
exclaimed Joe. II know the risks, but
the game is worth it. If 1 lose my scalp
it will only be two or three days in ad-
vance of the rest of you. If I get
through shall save you all"
The right hand of every man went out
to him in the darkness, but it was two
long minutes before the captain said:
II wouldn't ask it of you. Joe, but if
You will volunteer Well pray to God to
spare your life. Your success is the
only thing that will save us. What is
your plan?"
81 can speak few words of the
dialect Of almost any tribe in the west,"
replied Joe, "and shall strip that dead
body for disguise. can't hope to get
out unperceived, but l hope to be taken
for an Indian long enough to get through
the lines"
The knowledge of what Joe proposed
to do was kept from the majority Of the
men. The body of the dead warrior
was dragged among the wagons, stripped
of its buckskin suit, and in the course of
half an hour the young hunter was
ready to take his leave. He had trans
formed himself into an Indian, SO Tar as
outward appearances went, and the
men were more hopeful of his plan.
The captain and a couple of the men ac-
companied him to the north side of the
inclosure, and after cautious survey of
the grounds outside Joe whispered:
lit is as hoped for; more than half
the bodies have already been removed.
The redskins must be made to think
am one Of the party engaged in the
work. l am all ready. Any special
word, captain?"
mo. If you find the party they will
help Us out of our fix. If they do not
catch us mapping or rush us too often
we can hold out here for a week, but
every one will have to drink blood after
tomorrow. If you do not return we'll
know that you could not find the party.
Now, then, God speed your
Joe softly mounted the breastworks,
tomahawk in hand, dropped to the earth
outside and minute later was lost
sight of in the darkness. The three men
left behind listened with bated breath.
Joe must enter the gully filled with
Indians. If his disguise was penetrated
and he was made prisoner the fact would
be announced by whoops of rejoicing.
The silence would have been that Of
the grave but for the chirp of the crick-
cts. The men could hear each others
heart beat as they leaned against each
other and listened for an alarm.
One-two-three-four-fiye minutes
dragged away.
1t is when a mans life is at stake that
the minutes pass like lightning flashes
or drag like eternities.
n-eight-nine-ten
Joe must have reached the gully ere
this. If mot suspected at the first go off
he would not be suspected at all.
Five minutes more passed away, and
the captain drew long breath Of relief
and whispered:
"He will get through. Let US thank
Godr'
The night was starlight, but sort of
fog hung in the air, and if the Indians
made a night attack they could not be