San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-09

Another chick report put an end to
Inc Indians struggles, and he found a
grave with his companions.
Lois had watched this tragic play
from the skif, where she sat as one sud
denly changed to stone.
Who could her deliverer be? Doubt
less Silas Jordan or one of the settlers
from the blOckhouse, she thought
She was 50 IN. however, allowed to see
her mistake as manly form arose
from concealment among the bushes
and stood revealed in the subdued moon
light on the bank of the Arkansas.
Lee! Lee!" she cried, unable TO con
troll herself.
Lois, my darlingr' and he stretched
out his strong arms toward her.
She pushed the skiff toward him,
obeying force which she could not re-
SiSt.
In another moment the young ranch
man held heI half fainting form to his
breast and pressed his lips to her brow.
One moment of this bliss, then Los
released herself and told her lover what
had brought her out on such perilOus
mission.
You are a dear, brave girl, Lois" he
said tenderly as he started the skiff to-
ward JOrdan's.
Tell me. Lee, how you happened to
be here" shN asked, her face glowing
from the gentle ferTor of his praise.
Il warned the Plum Greek settlers
and helped item fortify themselves in
large dugoU Then | started over to
JOrdan's. j rr;U!l"rl.
"Oh. Lev, N'i..r made You venture
alone again mil "u lie prairies;' she
cried.
WASH -"H" on" at Jordan's dearer
than all the world to me- he whispered
softly. How could | stay away from
you. Lois. when | knew such fearful
danger threatened? had done my duty
at Plum Creek, and must return to de-
.fend the one | love"
1T was yOur love that saved me. Lee
Thank God that | was here to de
fend you'll" he murmured. 1T was sun
set when | started back from Plum
Creek. had only gone about four miles
when ! almost rode into little camp Of
Cheyennes down in a ravine. They had
been slaughtering cattle and were pre-
pairing for big supper. Before / could
retreat.I was seen, and three of the party
gave chase. My pony was tagged out
and knew | could never escape on it
So abandoned the pony and ran down
a deep gully, and by hiding often man
aged to elude my pursuers. 1t took me
good while to reach the Arkansas, bul
when | did started as fast as could
for Silas JOrdan's, where hoped to find
you safe. Suddenly heard the redskins
yell out up the river. At first thought
they had discovered my trail and were
after me. concealed myself and waited
Presently the moon came out clear
enough for me to see the race between
you and those villains. When | saw
that the pursued one was you | feared
there had been a massacre of the settlers
and you had fled to the skiff for refuge
i made mp my mind to save you or die
with you
God is good" said Lois, laying ii
hand on Lee shoulder.
They reached the cabin safe, but
scarcely had they received the congratu-
lations of their friends on their remark
able escape when the Cheyennes, with
loud whoOps, rushed forward to renew
the siege.
No doubt they hoped to find the set
tiers drowsy and off their guard during
the hours between midnight and dawn
and counted on an easy victory. But
the brave action of Lois Gilbert i'll
spired those pioneers with fresh energy
and courage. and the powder which she
had risked so much to bring enabled
them to fight back the enemy with We
hemence which was plainly a surprise
to them,
Despite the obstinate resistance which
the Cheyennes encountered i'll the set
tiers, they kept up the siege at intervals
for several hours. Finally they with
drew to the cottonwoods, where short
conference was held; then they rode
rapidly away over the prairies.
About noon the next day Nose Gill
bert and party of armed settlers ar.
rived. They reported that the Chey-
ennes had crossed the river and We're
hurrying northward, leaving great de-
struction behind them.
1t was some time after the events re-
corded in this story that the Cheyennes
were forced by starvation to surrender
to the troops of fort in western Ne
braska, and peace was at last restored.
Nose Gilbert found his cattle all
right when the Indians were gone, but
they poorly compensated for the great
loss of his child, whose heart had been
won nv the Young ranchman.