San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-01-07


so the women could not hear. They
must be kept in good spirits if possible
and not allowed to know that their gar,
rison had only an indifferent supply of
ammunition.
The crimson and amber glows of sun
set We're bathing the prairies with radi-
ant sheen. The south wind stirred the
rank grass and futtered the broad,
leathery leaves of the cottonwood before
Jordan's cabin. These manifestations
of nature seemed utterly at variance
with the scenes of havoc being enacted
all over those peaceful prairies.
Twilight was deepening into early
night, and the vanishing daylight
brought fresh terrors to many of the in
mates of the temporary blockhouse.
They were awaiting they knew not
what
They're beginnin to move" an
nounced Dave Severy, who had been
keeping close watch ON the redskins.
They're breakin up their council, an
are gettin ready TO give us another
round"
WAL, we uns ain 'tnappin, answered
old Silas; "only be keerful of the pow
der, boys. Make every blessed ioter OF
it count"
Fiendish yells rent the air without,
and the savages renewed the attack with
vigOr. The settlers had their hands fully
occupied in keeping the enemy at a prop
er distance.
Owing to the falling darkness Of night
their aim was not true. and there was
much wild shooting despite the warn
ings of the old commander.
But many of the Cheyennes went
down, as was attested by the yells Of
anguish which would often follow a
heavy charge from the intrepid defend
ers.
Two Indians flung themselves from
their ponies, and with wild gestures tried
to urge their companions to follow their
example, but without success.
The majority of the savages evidently
feared the number of defenders behind
those rude breastworks was far greater
than it actually was, and were cautious
enough to stick to their ponies.
With derisive bowls the two Chey-
ennes, maddened at the refusal of the
others, rushed forward. They reached
the rock wall. and were in the act Of
scaling it, when two quick reports rang
out, and they dropped back in the throeS
of death.
Lois Gilbert and Dave Severy's wife
came bravely forward from among their
terror stricken sisters, and lent valuable
assistance in helping reload the guns of
their protectors.
Notwithstanding many Cheyennes
were killed. it seemed an utter impossi-
bility to put the enemy to rout, and
more than one heart in that besieged
cabin felt like yielding to despair
This was to be accounted for from the
fact that the red besiegers were being
REINFORCED by small wandering squads,
who, finding the different cabins which
they visited empty, were attracted to
the scene of attack by the sound of fire
arms reverberating wildly over plain
and river.
The hours wore on, bringing no sign
of more than occasional brief abate-
ments in the stubborn siege, when the
Indians would withdraw TO the foot of
the hill to discuss some new method of
attack.
The moon rose above the river bluffs
to the east, and cast a faint light over
the prairie. A moment later, however
at if shocked at the hideousness despoil-
ing the night, she struggled out of sight
behind s'reak of gray clouds, which
| partly obscured the eastern sky.
Like tigers the settlers continued to
| fight until near. midnight, when there
came sudden lull in the shooting with
out.
The imps O perdition are fallin back
to the cottonwoods for another council, -"
cried Dave Severy, hopping his hot
brow with his coat sleeve.
The Cheyennes could be seen hurry
ing from Jordan's hill, and carrying
many of their dead and wounded with
| them.
They're up to some new devilment,
reckon" remarked Rowland.
Very like, an hev gone off ter hatch
it up" agreed old Silas. Keep er sharp
lookout, bo~s, for like as any way thar
goin offs My blind. Them Chey-
ennes air Their most persistent red cusses
in Their landr'
"Thets jest wot they be-" replied one
of the settlers.
Il WISH" old Silas continued, lower,
ing his voice, they'd not resume the
siege. But they're dead sure ter!
Heaven kl ows we uns KANT fight 'em
back any longer as hard as we rns hev
been doin."
"Wot's Their blame reason we KANT