Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-08-03
FIGHTING
THEM OFF.

The logs were fitted closely together,
but here and there you could soc a small
round opening, which was very suggestive
OF a rife barrel protruding and sending a
bullet at marauding redskin.
As q matter OF fact, each one Of these
holes had belched out death 60 al least a
dozen Indians since old Jack Wallace bad
built the house and "settled" there with
his family.
His boy Fred, although he was not over
i8, had taken part In many q ''scrim-
mage" and could handle n rifle like an old
scout.
his father and mother having gone to the
fort TO look st some festivities which the
officers had arranged
"Itn be all right dad, 4" said Fred as
his parents started for the fort THE red
skins arc not going about mad. but II they
do happen 10 strike out tonight and hang
around this old shanty IN give 'en a
rousing time"
The dd couple trotted OF on their ponies
Just before nightfall, and Fred, after he
had fastened up the house and thrown
some logs on the blazing fire In the big
chimney, sat down to his trapmaking.
The trap was soon finished, and he then
took mp "old Buster. /" his rifle. to clean Il,
preparatory TO tho next days hunt
He had loaded IL. and was about TO put
IL across the stag's horns on the wall. Its
usual place, when he heard sort of muf-
fed sound outside near the door.
Thinking 10 was hungry wolf looking
for his evening meal, he walked over TO
the door, and, without opening 10, gave a
loud yell TO scare the prowler away.
Getting no reply, he put his ear to the
crack Of the door, and listening intently
he heard the low, unmistakable cultural
sounds Of Indian voices few feet from
him.
Just thon there was rap on the door.
and when Fred cried "IIellol' deep
voice grunted out:
"Injun want food Heap, heap hun
sry,n%. .,..-,.
Zone Injun, A" replied the savage. zone
Injun here. Much hungry"
Now, Fred knew this was false. for he
had heard several voices, and he was too
smart to DO caught mapping In that sort
Of style.
"Ono Injun go away-too late for food
Oho itdS Jllls Coiuo
He exterously removed the lock from the
rifle hole which commanded tbs door and
applied his eye to IL, 30 that no light
could be seen from without
Instead of one Indian. he saw band Of
at least a dozen, and each one seemed to
him, IN the faint starlight, to be armed
and In warpaint.
Looking beyond the door. Fred saw an
other party near little patch Of woods a
short distance of, and as they had their
ponies he knew that they were on the war
path--that another Indian war had come
Readjusting the block before the open
ing, he quietly awaited further action on
the part Of the Indians.
His father and mother ought to be re-
turning pretty soon. and he knew the old
trapper's instinct would warn him of the
danger before he got near enough TO run
into it. and that he would gallop back to
the fort and bring troop Of cavalry down
upon the redskins.
All this time the Indians had been hold
ing subdued consultation among them
selves, and, having now determined on a
plan of action apparently, they knocked
loudly at the door, demanding that it be
opened
you had better take yourself and your
braves of, Rag Jim, or I'll give you q
taste of old Buster, " said Fred boldly.
The only reply was a series of heavy
thuds on the barred door as they tried to
burst 10 open.
Removing the block from the door, he
suddenly blazed away at savage who
stood only few feet of.
With a yell Of pain, the redskin jumped
into the air and fell TO the ground, dead.
Maddened by the death Of their leader
for IL was the chief-the band, uttering
wild whoops Of rage, poured q volley from
their guns into the door Of the cabin, but
they might as we'll have sent their bullets
against a stone wall.
Even while the echoes of their volley
were reverberating through the air Fred
had opened another hole and sent another
redskin to his last hunting ground.
Quickly replacing the blocks. he went
from hole TO hole, always In an unexpect
Cd place, and his seven rifles had slain az
many Of the enemy before the latter could
fairly recover from their astonishment at
his deadly work.
He had now to stop and reload, and, al
though he did 30 with great rapidity, by
the time he was ready to begin his second
attack the Indians had built great fire
against the door OF the cabin and were
yelling with exultation at the prospect Of
soon having their dangerous little foe at
their mercy
The fire roared and cracked about the
door, and smoke streamed In around the
edges, with now and then little tongue
Of flame.
AS the fire increased and the door gave
signs Of going Fred placed himself on one
side of It with an old tomahawk In his
hand, determined 30 make bold and sud
den stroke for freedom as soon as the red
skins rushed into the cabin.
But whaS Is the sound that now falls
upon his ears above the roaring Of the fire
and the yells OF the red devils about itf
IL 10 the laundering tramp Of squadron
of cavalry
And how sweet is the bang Of their car
bines as they open fire upon the Indians
followed by the din and tumult Of their
furious charge-how sweet this music IL to
Fred, for he is saved
When Fred had told his story, he was
overwhelmed with compliments upon his
splendid bravery, all Of which he bore
with becoming modesty.
In the war, of which that midnight at
tack was the beginning, Fred took an 40
tive part, and when II was over he had
the honor Of being specially mentioned In
| the commanding generals report for con-
spiouous gallantry and important services
10 the government.