Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-04-20

themselves at the doctors feet, to his great
embarrassment and disgust, and my own
amusement.
During the last year we were at the fort,
my husband accompanied one of the
smaller expeditions that were sent out as
escort to tine Northern Pacific survey
parties in the explorations to ascertain the
most available route westward for the line
of the railroad. Weeks went by and they
did not return. Day by day we scanned
the horizon eager to discern the coming of
the expected couriers from their camp.
Then expectancy grew into anxiety, and
anxiety deepened into fear. Couriers from
the fort were sent with supplies to find
them, but came back reporting that an ex.
tensive prairie fire had crossed their track
and DESTROYED the trail. :,
They had gone from the beaten track of
the larger expeditions, and On turning to
retrace their march homeward, found I'M
mistakeable Indian sigma along their
former trail. so took a circuitous route
homeward to the fort.
The prairie fire which had been the work
Of the Indians, had materially changed the
aspect of the country and they missed the
way in the smoky atmosphere and under
a starless sky.
The proximity of the Indians prevented
them firing upon such game as was seen,
for death by starvation was infinitely pre-
ferable to capture and death by the Sioux;
so, lost on that wild, desolate, blackened
prairie, without food, water or forage they
bravely struggled onward. At length
weary, heartsick and hungry, they halted
one day at noon, feeling that exhausted
nature could make no further effort.
Huddled together OH a hillside, they sank
despairlngly upon the scorached and black
ened ground.
But the eyes of n of the exhausted
men has caught a glimpse Of some strange
object in the Sky, far awayto the southeast
Is it a crimson cloud floating in the azure
air, or is it some huge red bird, Hopping
its golden wings? ALI gaze in silence;
than from many Threats in unison bursts
forth "The flag at Fort Ricew "The
flag at Fort Ricew Oh, joy,
that it is so! In their wanderings they
had come close to the dear old fortress, and
there, like a flaming beacon in the leaden
sky, is tossing the loved flag of the garri-
son, the emblem now to them of home and
rescue and safety. New life surges in
their veins. Anew they begin their march
and around the hills they Gomez in sight of
the white walls of the old fort, and with
%resounding cheers proclaim their gladness.
On, those dreary hummer days, while I
waited and watched for the return of that
expedition: enduring in silent anguish, the
thought that my husband might never
come again! Day by day, the sun shone
slowly on; but nothing could assuage the
dull, aching pain of suspense, or lessen the
consuming fear that the expedition might
all have been killed or captured by the
Sioux.
At length one day, upon a distant hill
was seen a cloud of dust. The sentries
from the high towers called the alarm t.
the sergeants Of the guard. Men climb
upon the stockade! Ladies and officers rusf
to the upper windows of their quarters
1t it our returning friends, or is it a hostile
band ct Sioux, marching to attack the fort
Hark! That is not the w%ar-whoop of saw
} age foes, but the sound of English cheers
, Soon through the clouds of dust we cal
r discern the blue of their uniforms, the gilt
ter of their swords. The commandment an(
his staff call for their horses and gallopet
forth to meet them. The members of tn,
band, with their instruments, gather in thei
accustomed places at the foot of the flag
staff, in readiness to greet the returning
) heroes with a burst Of martial music. Blu
this time it is not the officer of the da,
that gives the word of command. From
the piazzas of the officers quarters come
: the unwonted sound of womens' voices
and they cry with one accord: "Pla,
Home Sweet Home"
The officer of the day CALAMITY confer
mands his W order, for the "Conquerin,
Heroe," and upon the sultry air burst
/ the plaintive notes of the old familiar all
) but now pealing forth in a glad, exultan
strain. Into the open gates they come,
{ forlorn procession of tired men and Jade,
horses. "Break ranksv!' s'dispersew is tn
| welcome command and as the weary sol
, dierS seek their quarters, cOmrade crow,
: about them, relieve them of their guns an,
cartridge belts, and aid the more exhauste,
: to reach their barracks.
Now Heaven be praised! For life ha
few such moments of perfect Joy, as tina
in (which my husband, pale, emaciated an,
. so covered with dust as to be scarcely re
cognizable, dropped,half fainting. from his
exhausted horse into my appraised arms.
> Military Discipline permits no greeting tt
: friend or wife until the last official duty i
f performed, but the regulations wer
! ignored on this occasion las families Of tn,
: returning officers crowded about then
I Scarce a word was spoken but there were
. tears in manly eyes and all the wOmel
+ wept in joy and sympathy.
During the weeks that this cOmman
was absent, it was my custom to wall
, ca CHI day to the post cemetery. The faith
, full old Arickaree squaw was always OF
!, the watch outside the gate and when
, came out. would run to meet me with t h
l most ~extravagant demonstrations of de
t light. Then she would fall back to th
, rear and slowly follow me along the path
her head shrOuded in her blankets, no
. speaking to or coming near me AGAR
while l,absOrbed in my own thoughts CAV,
no more heed to her presence and n O NOR
. regarded her as a companion than l dil
. the dog that frisked along beside me. A