Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-09-15
A Prairie SqualI.

1t was just noon when we rsache d
White Horse Creek, six troopers es'
corting California Joe with dispatches.
Our further route lay across Little
Chief Prairie, distance Of IA miles.
The ground seemed as level as floor,
and the grass stood knee high, and
was parched and withered in the hot
sun. We threw off the saddles, wa
tered and staked out the horses, and
spent an hour over our rations and
pipes.
IF it was me alone" said Joe, as
we began saddling up, I'D take to
the right and skirt that grass"
"Why - asked the sergeant.
"Bekase Of that-and that-and
them ar" answered the old man as
he pointed to a signal smoke in the
rear Of US, another away to the left,
and to four or five vultures sailing
high in the sky to the south.
The Indians had crossed our trail
miles to the north. They could not
hope to overhaul us, but they were
signaling to their friends to the south
of us. The south signaled to the
east, and as we stood gazing u column
of smoke rose high in the air to the
west. 1t was the Indian telegraph
line at work to capture or destroy us.
Even as we counted the vultures and
made five of them, the number was
increased to siX-seven-eight-ten.
They scented feast.
TOO late now - muttered Joe,
and he surveyed the signals. Ready,
bows ? Then we drive straight across,
and never a one of us will live to see
the sun go down Down with them
blankets and give 'em good soakin'
in the creek before you mount =
When ready we struck right across
the centre OF the prairie, taking Blue
Mountain for our guide. We kept
our horses at steady canter, making
about ten miles an hour, and were
within two miles of the base OF the
mountain when horde OF Indians
suddenly rose out Of the earth across
our path. They had been concealed
in a natural sink. There must have
been a full hundred Of them, and We
had scarcely come to halt before
thev had us surrounded on three
sides. The route by which we bad
come was still open, and the sergeant
was about TO give the order to fall
back when the old scout commanded
Down with yOu and make ready
for rush If you fall back they il
hev your scalps inside Of two miles
Can't you see that's what they hev
planned fur
In two minutes the horses were
down and were ready. The Chsy-
ennes did not come. Seven white
men. armed with carbines and re
volvers would bring mourning to
many lodges before the last one went
under. They would have charged
two or three. They would have cir
cled four or five. They knew Cali
fornia Joe, and had set price upon
his head. They would have given
much to capture him alive, but to
know that lie was dead would be
cause for great rejoicing. They jeered
and taunted him. They called us
white squaws and dogs. They shout
ed out that they could see tears on
our faces and note that our guns
trsmbled as we took aim.
What sort Of a move are they
making? - queried the sergeant as
those on the flsnks spread out further.
Ever bin roasted alive p answered
Joe.
No"
Wal, you ar goin' to be now
That's their dodge-to fire the grass
and roast US. spected that sort OF
deviltry when l told the boys to wet
their blankets They won't save US,
though-too much grass. Them
bucks out on the flanks ar thar tc
head US off five try to make a break.
turned my gaze upward as the
thought of the vultures came 10 my
mind, and the ten had increased tc
nineteen. They were sailing in cir
Gle and lower than before.
mo pertickler hurry jist at pres
ent," continued Joe as he reached FOL
his plug OF tobacco and began shaw
ing it of and filling his pipe. They
will send some one out to demand oul
surrender fust. Good The wind Is
droppin' leetle. Sergeant, how does
the sky look to the north
"A cloud creeping up"
Coin to be change, but not soon
'nuff. Thar comes the critter VINO
wants us to swaller his promises and
surrender our scalps."