The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-07

those poor creatures. Now keep to-
gether. Watch your officers commands
and signals and spare the squaw and
papooses. Be ready in two minutes"
And then every mai took a long
breath, while the Colonel rode through
to say similar words to the second line.
Then, returning, he placed himself just
in rear of the center of the first squad
ron, the second line noiselessly ad-
vancing and closing up on the leaders.
and her he seemed to think Of another
point.
ASK Mr.. Ormsby if he will ride with
me- said he to the adjutant. Now,
Leale, w at a walk. Follow. Bat.
It's all level ahead of you You'll sight
the village in three or -four minutes"
The tall, stalwart captain touched his
hat, took off his broad brim, shaking
away a o of snow, and Spurred out
to both his right and left, he gave the
signal forward, and with almost a sim
gle impulse the long, dark rank of horse
men, open at the center in an interval
of some half a dozen yards, without
other sound than the slight rattle of
accoutrementS and the muff1ed rumble
of five hundred hoofs, moved steadily
forward. A moment the Colonel sat and
watched them, smiled a cordial greeting
to OrmSby, who, pistol in hand, came
trotting over with the a%djutant, then
signaling to the second line, he, too.
gave his horse the rein and at steady
walk followed close the center OF LealeS
command. In his hand at the moment
he held a little pocket compass and
smiled as he noted the line of direction.
Almost due southeast at this in
stant,'' said he. I'VE ought to bag our
game and be well across the Mini Pusa
with them in less than an hour"
Unconsciously the pace was quicken
ing. Foremost of all, well out in front
of the center, rode the half-breed IN
dian guide. bending low over his pony's
neck, his black beady eyes peering
ahead. Well out to the right and left
were other scouts. eager and alert like
Bat himself. Then, squarely in the CEN
ter, on his big, powerful bay, rode
Leale, commander of the foremost line.
and Ormsby's soldierly heart throbbed
with admiration as be marked, just be-
fore Leale was hidden from view. his
spirited, confident bearing, and noted
how the eyes of all the line seemed hxed
on their gallant leader. And now some
of the horses began to dance and tug
at the bit and plunge, and others to
take a jog trot, for the Indian scouts
were at the lope, and their gesticuia-
tons became every momen more vehe
ment, and then Bat was seen. though
visible only to the first line, to grab his
revolver, and Leale's gauntleted hand
almost instantly sought he holster, and
out came the ready Colt, Its muzzle
raised in air. Out in quick and ready
imitation leaped a hundred more, ana
luSlllCtltCly Lie JOS
lively trot, and the dull, thudding hoofs
upon the snow-muffled earth rose louder
and more insistent, and Ormsby, rldlns
at the ColoneTs left, gripped tighter
his revolver and set his teeth, yet felt
his heart was hammering loud. and then
DINNER and DINNER grew the nrst nne
as it led away, and still the ColoneIs
firm hand kept Roderick dancing In
patiently at the slower gait, and then,
just as it seemed as though the line
would be swallowed up in snow and
disappear from view, quick and sudden
two muffled shots were heard from
somewhere Just in front. the first sylla-
BILE perhaps OF some stentorian shout of
warning. and then one magnificent burst
of cheers and a rush or charging men,
and a crash and crackle and sDutter OF
shots, and then fierce raIly1ng cries and
piercing screams of women and OF terri
fed little ones. and like some huge hui
man wave the first line or n Twelfth
rode on and over and through the
startled camp, and bore III a whirl-
wind, yelling. down upon the pony herds
beyond.
And now comes the turn of the second
line. Seeking shelter from the snow
storm. warriors, women and children
were for the most part within the fe-
PEGS as the line crashed In. Some few
were with the miserable captives. but at
the first sound OF n every warrior
had seized his rifle and rushed for the
open air. Some few. throwing them
selves upon their faces fired wild shots
at the foremost troopers - they came