The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-27

1T is an Indian! The boy will lave to
pass within three feet of him. They a:e
going to ambush Rodney Masonn!'
Don't let the women and children know.
Keep them from the pottholes," was the
reply. an
On came Rodney with the milk. He was
once more whistlinR his favorite tune. The
buckets seemed to hang heavy On his
hands.
The men at the loopholes watched his
advance breathlessly. They saw him near
ing the stump whore the Shawnee lay, and
wondered if the Indian would let him pass.
All at once, with a yell that seemed to
terrorize eve,yone in the block house, the
figure by the grnss-fringed stump sprang up
and confronted the boy.
He was an Indian of large stature. and
was painted for the war trail; as all could
see. AS he ieaped into view, brandishing a
tomahawk, Rodney stopped and recoiled.
The sight sent a shiver to his heart.
white boy milk cows for ~Iujun," the
Shawnee SAID, reaching for the buckets.
Good white boy"
Give up the milk needed in Holman's
fort? Let the Indians have it when he had
risked his life to get it for the women and
children?
All this passed through the boys mind.
but at the same time Rodney realized he
could never outrun the savage with two
buckets of milk in his hands.
He had but little time to decide. He
thought he saw other dark forms in the
grass. He believed he was surrounded by
the red pests.
Come, white boy, give Sassacus the
milk! cried the Indian, advancing another
step.
Rodney set the buckets down. But tie
next moment, as the Shawnee stopped
toward them, he caught up one with both
hands.
You want the milk? Well. you shall
have itn' he exclaimed, and dashed the
whole buckettui in the warriors face.
1t was a most iudicrous scene SO far as
the Indian was concerned. He was covered
from head to feet with milk, blinded and
sputtering. Before he could recover from
his astonishment Rodney had caught up
the other bucket and was running toward
the block house.
The distance was not great. but the boy
knew that he could not outrun the Indian,
burdened as lie WAS with the milk, and he
did not expect to.
Cover his retreat men, you can drop the
Indian in u minute! Go to the gate, some
of you and stand ready to let him H." cried
the commandant of the post.
You may believe that all was excitement
within the block house.
The best marksmen aimed at the Shawnee
from the ~loopholes, Others ran to the barri-
caded gates and stood ready to open them
the instant the boy hero reached them. 1T
WAS all ovrr in two minutes.
Several Indians sprang from the grass to
follow Rodney, but they were dropped by
the rifles. And the gates were opened TO lei
Rodney i'll and closed before the ffty
painted Indians now on a full charge at the
stockades could roach their mark.
Rodney was grasped by scores of HANDS.
The little milk still remaining in the bucket
was dolcd out to the children.
All that day the savages tried by artifce
to tempt the defenders of Holman's f,om
the stockade, but were unsuccessful, and
when night came they deliberately killed
the cattle and went off.
But the bravery of Rodney Mason had
added another chapter to the thrilling his.
tory Of the young state, and for MANY wears
afterward IL was told how he MIXED II, in
die and Bess for the children when Hol-
mans was besieged by the red hor des of the
forest.
! should add, perhaps, that when The
tribes made peace with the settlt rs an In
dian came one day to Holman'a and, sing
ling out young Rodney Mason, shook the
stalwart young white goodnaturedly by The
shoulder.
Milk hemp good. but Sassaous get all he
want-ho! hon'
1t was really Sassacus, the ShR wnss. md
he had remembered his white bath.