The new North-west., 1892-11-26

sundown. They know whar ye ar
bound fur, and they ar determined to
stop ye.'
.sWell, what else?' asked the captain
as the renegade paused.
''They wanted to wipe ye out to the
last man, but I've prevailed upon 'e1n to
spare yein case yell turn back That's
what I've come to tell ye.'
"If we turn back we won't be
harmed?'
@Not a hair Of yer heads. Jist take
ter at once
"And suppose we don't?'
"Then God help We! Yell be chawed
to pieces in ten minitsr
"You go back and tell your friends to
begin chawing as soon as they pleaseE
shouted the captain, and every man in
the inclosure cheered the words.
There was more delay as the renegade
went back to report, and every man
worked to build the breastworks higher
and strengthen it. Wagons and horses
occupied solid square Of less than half
an acre. It was the highest ground
within cannon shot. This was as good
as another foot on the height Of the
| breastworks. Twenty-Five men distrib-
uted around that inclosure would make
a terribly thin line, but twenty
4 Winchester rifles would maintain a ter
ribly destructive fire.
But treachery had not yet exhausted
itself. Your noble red man Of Cooper
Il +l,,+ o4
tacking women and children Back
came the renegade to say
"Ye better take the chance hold out
to ye. The Indians hev got mad, and
nothin but yer promise and the quick
performance of it will save yer scalps.
If gun is fired | can't hold 'em a
mint"
''If we turn back we will not be mo-
lestedr' queried the captain.
'sNot red shall cum nigh ye."
But we have only your word for it. +"
(Which orter be good 'nutf. am
workin to save ye scalps."
"And you think the way to do it is to
turn us all over to them! Get back, you
lying renegade-get out Of range or
We'll drop your
The renegade beat hasty retreat,
and few minutes later the Indians dis
mounted, crept about the plateau to
form circle, and opened fire on the
breastworl1s from three hundred rifles.
They had waited too long for a rush,
but the little band was encircled.
Water! Not a drop! .-m.
Forage! Not all ounce!
Provisions Yes, but they must be
eaten in Il raw state.
The Indians had but to preserve thei1
circle Of fire about the fort and nuture
would do the rest Men may escape the
bullet, but thirst kills. @=.... ~..sz5- . Z
And what Of Joe and Bess? AS soor
as the Indians appeared On the hanks Of
the train he had hidden her out of sight
and he had hopes up to the opening o1
the battle that she had not been seen
When he knew that danger was i'm
minent he did not conceal the fact from
her. She grew shade paler, but sht
shut her teeth hard and threw off th'
womanish feeling which would hav
weakened her.
s'We are to be attacked" she queriet
) as the wagons were packed and the mel
began at the breastworks.
ut looks that way replied Joe, ''bu
it may be only bluster. You had bes
keep out of sight.
"But every one of us will be wante
to handle frearln. | can shoot wit
! either rifle or revolver. See? | have
revolver If there is danger must tax
} share with the rest"
A moment later her father came w
He looked very anxious as he said:
'My daughter, fear that our situs
tion could not be worse. We have te
to one in front Of us and we shall pres
entity be attacked. You had better Ii
down on the bottom of the wagon"
81 should soon be helpless from fear,
she replied. ''Let me remain here be
hind the rocks. If they charge us ca
help repel them"
When the firing opened she was knee]
ing between Joe and her father. Not
return shot was fired from the inclosure
Now and then bullet found its way il
between the loosely piled rocks, but tn
men had only to hug the ground to b
safe AS the Indians had to elevat
their guns at an angle of forty five de
grees to fire, most of the bullets passe,
over, cutting the tops of the wagons, bu
leaving the animals unharmed.
. It was we'll for the band that an oil
soldier had command, He took III tn
lay Of the ground, made up his min
2 where the blow would fall and not;
fed every man to be ready for the sig
, nal The redskins would soon tire 0
! wasting their ammunition, and then til
4 more enthusiastic among them woul
1 demand a charge.
An Indian is patient only when ovel
$ powered. He is brave enough to iIc
1 death only after he has worked himsel
l up to fury. The one sided battle--tll
) yells, shots, screams and change of pc
y sitions--had their due effect. Half d
4 hour before sundown the young wal
J. riors were clamorous to be led to tn
charge. The white men had show