Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-03-21

penel, they dropped to the ground and
wriggled back to the main badly
Silence followed that first voIley from
the loopholes of Fort Bobolink, and the
boys, strain their eyes as they might, could
see no sign of live enemy, but the dark
forms in the grass told them that at least
three braves would never more follow the
plume of the great Shawnee chief.
At last there came from beyond the clear
ing sound like the note of bird, and Cap
tain Ned said to his nearest companion:
THAT was signal, Archie Now we
shall have more hot work"
I'm truth we shall" was the reply.
look across the clearing to where the big
tree stands
Captain Ned looked and saw moving
there dark mass, which confirmed his
fears. 1t looked like more than so men
marching with compactness, and when the
signal was repeated and answered by enc Of
the hidden braves near the fort the new en-.
envy came to halt.
''See the moon shining on the buckles
and guns" cried one Of the boys. "We will
have to meet the British now"
At this moment an Indian sprang up
from behind q stump and ran across the
clearing like deer.
He was not molested by those in the fort,
but was permitted to join those marching
forward, and the boys imagined they could
hear him telling the story of the battle as
far as it had gone.
To their astonishment, the soldiers and
Indians then marched to the left and van
ished. In vain they waited for their reap
pearance.
1t was long night for the watchers with
in Fort Bobolink. They started at every
sound, and when the moon went down they
were more vigilant than ever.
At length daylight broke over the sleep
| less little garrison, and then were anxious
i eyes at the loopholes.
The bodies of the three Indians killed in
the night assault were no longer in the
grass. They had been removed during the
darkness by their comrades.
'Look! The whole British army' sud-
denly exclaimed boy at a loophoole.
Sure enough, approaching the fort with
the bright light upon their equipments, n
large force of redcoats were to be seen
marching in tolerable order
On the TANKS of the white army lowered
lot of Indians half naked and willy as
foxes and as the boys watched them they
felt that Fort Bobolink was soon to fall.
On came the redcoats, and the defenders
saw three cannon planted where they could
demolish the cabin in jiffy.
Having made his preparations, the Brit.
Ish commander rode forward with hand
some Indian chieftain at his side.
The savage also wore British uniform,
and this identified him at once
at is Tecumseh in major generals uni.
FORM" said Captain Ned. Zone shot would
rid the frontier Of it's greatest curse, but we
| will not fire it now"
Tecumseh halted before the fort and
| raised his hand. He was looking straighs
at the little cabin.
IF white men will surrender, Tecumseh
promises to spare their lives, said the chief.
| The people in the fort looked at one an,
other. They had heard great deal about
Indian mercy" but they had also heard
how on one occasion Tecumseh had really
interfered to save the lives of American
prisoners.
"Shall we surrender" asked Captain
Ned as be faced the little band.
Further resistance seems to mean death )"
was the reply.
"That is true'
Captain Ned thrust handkerchief out Of
portfolio. The Indian turned to the Brit
ish general.
"Pile your arms up in one corner of the
cabin and march out single file," command.
ed the officer.
| The boys took the barricades from the
door and threw it open. They had placed
all the rifles in one corner and were ready
to march forth.
Come said Ned, who had placed him
self at their. head. Forward, march,"
With the women and little children in the
middle. the little band left Fort Bobolink
The red coated officer looked at Tecumseh
and smiled.
But Tecumseh, as erect as a statue, con-
tinued to gaze straight ahead without NOV
ing muscle.
Ned Talcot marched his company to
within a few feet of the pair; then he halted
and saluted.
Boys" said the British officer contempt
tuously, IF had known this, would have
given you taste of British grape!'
The speaker was General Proctor him
self, and his harsh words were met by the
calm voice of Tecumseh
1.-THE white boys shall go to their homes.
They are as brave as their fathers. They
have defended their mothers and little
ones"
The redskins who had accompanied the
retreating army now came up, and their
dark looks BODIED the settlers no good. But
Tecumseh stood between them and the tom
ahawks and pointed toward the settlement.
In another minute the little company
turned and marched away.
When the settlement was reached, there
followed season of rejoicing and soon
afterward the men who had helped de-
fend Fort Meigs came home.
Strange to say, this particular settle
ment was spared the ravages of war, as
if Tecumseh held back his tomahawking
minions from its fair precincts.
The exploit Of the seven boys passed into
local history, and for many years along the
frontiers the settlers repeated the story oil
the defense of Fort Bobolink.-T. G. Har.
baugh in Washington News.
Former Elephants.
The great northern elephant persisted az
species i'll the prime of life. 1t had lived
under most prosperous conditions. Its en-.
emies were few and comparatively impo.