Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-12-24

! left to his own will it circumstances do
not prevent. His vision at night is ami
mal-like and his scent is keener when
the sun goes down.
The captain passed around the forti-
fcation as soon as the firing died away
to see what loss had been sustained.
| One man and two horses had been
slightly wounded. He gave orders that
One-half Of them should prepare them
selves such q meal as it was possible to
! get without fire, and then go back to
the breastworks and relieve the other
| half. There was no danger of an imme-
date attack. The Indians had received
a setback which would dampen their
ardor for several hours to come.
Bess had retreated to the wagons, and
the men were enthusiastic in praise of
her courage. Three or four of them had
witnessed her exhibition Of nerve, and
every one was determined to shake
hands and bestow few words of COM
mendation. While they were SO en-
gagged Joe slipped quietly over the
breastworks and lifted the warrior she
had shot into the Enclosure. He was an
athletic young fellow, wearing the
feathers of subchief, and the look of
fury and hate had not yet faded from
his face. When he brought the feathers
to Bess he said:
''There's none among us ever made
better shot. He was a leader among
them
But I'm SO sorry L had to do it," she
pleaded. ''Oh, if they'd only leave us
alone or be at peace! Think of my TAX
ing human life!''
4 -,
whispered joe = know the devils.
They'll never leave US until they have
our scalps. You may have to shoot
others"
The girl burst into tears at the
thought, but quickly brushing them
away she said:
Their blood be upon their own heads.
My mother used rifle against the re-
bellious Sepoys when attacked, and |
should be ashamed if | did not help in
my own defense here"
When all had broken their fast the
captain whispered to Joe and two others
whom he knew to be experienced in In
dian warfare, and as they crouched
down under the shelter of the breast
works he said:
I've got my idea about this thing,
but | want to counsel with you. First
and foremost, there's anywhere from
two hundred to two hundred and fifty
redskins around u.s."
Fully three hundred" replied joe
''They attempted to ride over us, but
We're soundly thrashed," continued the
captain. IF there We're only one hundred
they'd pull up stakes and tackle us far
Their on, but this big crowd won't think
of such a move. We've got the whip
row on 'em in one sense, but before to-
morrow night every tongue Will be
parched with thirst If they hold us
here three days We'll be drinking the
blood Of the horses. In a week we'll be
madmen. Now, then. who has anything
to say?''
Not voice answered for a long
minute, and then it was Joe who re-
Ulied:
There's only one string to hang Il
hope on. IF we can get help to beat 'em
off we are saved for the time. If we
can't we must go under"
why not mount the horse and make
dash for it, leaving the outfit in their
hands?" queried one of the men.
How many would live to get twenty
miles away, do you think? Not one!
The Indians would ride over us in no
time. tell you, boys, we have got into
Il bad row. and | must confess that
can't see any way out of it. But what's
your string, Joe?'
The day we left Brule City saw
man who had come down from Fort
Sully," replied, the young man. "He
said that troops had been ordered for
ward to protect emigrants and that
humber Of gold seekers, hunters and
frappers would start with the soldiers.
If that body of men followed the Big
Cheyenne, which of course they would
do up to the forks, and if they started
two days behind us as they were to,
where should they be now?'
Being mounted as we are, and hav-
ing three or four wagons at least, they'd
make about our distance. The forks
are not over twenty miles away, and
they may be there tonight or not get up
for another day yet. But how are we
to get help from them?'
Let them know of our peril"
Can any of us fly?
mo, but we can walk and run and
ride. One Of US must be out of here
within an hour on the way to the forks.
He must find the men from Sully and
bring 'em down on the rear of this tribe
of redskins.
"a rabbit couldn't make his way
through the circle the demons have
formed about US" replied the captain
in tones of detection.
"But a man of my size can and will!'
exclaimed Joe Il know the risks, but
the game is worth it. If lose my scalp
it will only be two or three days in ad-
vance of the rest Of you. If | get
through | shall save you all"