The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-07-19

first we had killed them all Not 50,
however, though it was plain that all
we're hit Two lay on the ground un-
der the scantling, while the others got
up to limp away. We had opened the
battle, and got in the first knock-doWn
blow. For a moment the indians
were stupetied. Then they uttered
their war whoop and the fight was on.
[ think | should have made good
fight of it without Mrs. Webster, = /
had been brought up on the frontier,
and had the nerve of a man, butt was
we'll that she was there. " hlIe she
was pale faced and anxious her voice
was steady. and she took things cool Y.
Sister Mamie was greatly frightened
at first. but d few minutes she over
came it and asked for the rifle with
which she was a toleraDiy fair shot.
The first move OF the Indians was to
take possession Of the log barn, which
stood about 200 feet away. There was
little or nothing in il, and if they fired
it the distance was too great to endang
er the house. They opened fire on
the two rear windows, and we
kept away from them. Now and then
one Of their bullets came through a
ioophoIe, but we were out Of range.
The Indians must have knC wn that
father was gone, and they probably
hoped to scare us with a great noise.
They continued shooting for ha II an
hour. and then one OF them stepped
out from the barn and waved a white
rag and asked for a talk" La reply
Mrs Webster fired a charge OF buck
shot at him and 1t knocked br1
over, and we saw his body dragged
around the corner Of the barn.
The Indians now scattered and en-
circled the house, and dropping down
whenever they could find cover and
opened Il steady fire. BY sitting
down on the floor we were safe from
any bullets which might enter the
loopholes They simply wasted their
powder, and after an hour all but four
Of them started off down the road.
Their impatience was too great to per
NIT them to tarry longer, There were
/ hundreds Of other settlers who had re
. ceiyed no warning and m9,de no pre-
paration. and We're waiting, as 1t were,
to be plundered and murd cred. The
four who remained, stood Just ont OF
rifieshot to watch the door. and we dld
not see another Indian until nearly
sundown Then a band Of about sey-
enty five came along. Some were on
stolen horses, some on foot, and about
thirty OF them were backed into two
wagons which they had taken from
white men.
From the yelling, shouting, and
shooting indulgea III one would have
4 thought our chances slim. \ part OF
the force occupied the barn 50 as to
command the rear windows; while the
rest made sort Of rifle pit to com
mand the front. The two who had
been killed in the morning still lay
where they had fallen, and as darkness
came on we made ready to receive any
one coming after the bodies. 1t was
a starlight night, and about 9 o'clock
| caught sight Ct two warriors creep
ing up to the spot. | called Mrs. " eb-
ster's attention and by the time they
were up we We're ready for them As
/ they were moving the scantling IF the
body we fired upon them, and neither
one moved yard after being his,
Now came full hour during which
not a Shot was fired or shout uttered
Then the Indians began firing blazing
arrows at the roof, and | nave nc
doubt that twenty or more aiighted
thereon That danger had been pro
vided for, however, and when they
found they could not burn US ont they
fell back on another plan. From one
Of the back windows | saw them car
rying a long pole to the front Of th'
house. There were several of laese
lying near the barn, and il was nov
plain that they were going to try the
power Of battering rams | saw one
. m ade ready at the Of the house as well
an,l when | told Mrs Webster, sht
post ed Mamie and me at the back win
lows. while she stood at the front
The Indians had plann9d areal attacI
from the rear. with only a fei'lt from
the front. With five men at each pole
-