The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-12-12

LII bHc IISilb VI lue SliOeu eA plOSlOu
that like a circle Of fire surrounded
US for we had halted in the bottom
of little valley, with high ground on
all sides of us). we could distinctly
perceive the hideously painted faces
of the savages, as they continued to
fill the started thickets with their de
moniac yells,
II seemed that in spite of our pre-
cautions in approaching their camp,
the vigilant rascals were too wide
awake for US. and had doubtless been
watching all our motions from the first
arrival Of our squadron; and while
we were debating they were acting.
/ Not q moment was uow to be lost.
for Texans are not men to remain in
active while surrounded by az enemy,
and that enemy decimating their
numbers.
ITO the rancho, bows. to the camp
of the red rascalsw shouted Captain
Greyson, as he gathered the men
about him, and led the may. Leave
your horses men we have no use for
them now.'
And as the Indians poured volley
after vOlIey upon u, we charged
through their line, with our sabres
and revOIvers, and soon found our
selves IL the centre of the old plaza.
As Greyson had suspected, the war
riors had nearly deserted their camp,
III their eagerness to attack rs IN the
chaparral; and we here found but few
to oppose us. The savages, however,
in the rear followed rs up. and soon
the ground was red With the blood of
onr men, while they fell fast about
The Indians We're rapidly surround
ing Us again, when the captain. point
ing to strong stone building on one
side OF the quadrangle. which had es-
capped the destruction Of the village
by the Americans, the autumn prev
lous, he exclaimed:
"Yonder, my men, is onr only hope.
once there, and we can hold our own
against these cursed fiendsw
A rush was made in the direction
! indicated. but the Indians divining
our intentions attempted to frustrate
them. They threw themselves before
us: and now the fight becams a des-
perate struggle Of man to man. The
rifle and carbine We're now Of no use,
and the knife and tomahawk. the sa-
bre and revolver only, were in requis
ltlon- The sayages fought as only
C0manches can fight when their
blood is up: and the Texans. desperate
/ in the paucity of their numbers com
! pared with our assailants. and mad
dened by the sight of their falling
comrades, made every blow count in
the death Of redskin The pave
ment of the plaza was slippery with
! blood, and our little party was already
nearly reduced one half had fought
/ Comanche5 often, but never did |
know them TO show 50 much bravery
before. As fast as we swept them be
/ fore Us with our SIX shooters and keen
blades their places were filled by
others; and thus, inch by inch, we cut
our way toward the door of the great
building.
Here again their whole force cor
centrated upon us, and we were shut
in on all sides by circle Of knives and
glancing tomahawks But impelled
by desperate energy we forced our
way into the building, followed by
about four times our numbers.
We closed the heavy oaken doors
upon the outside sayages; and while
some were struggling with those whC
had entered with Us. others of Us hast
ened to barricade the entrance with
! the loose stones piled within the pas
sage for this purpose; for the former
occupants OF the place were always il
expectation Of an attack from their In
| dian foes; and the buildings of the
wealthy Haciendos were nearly a.
/ strong as the old castles Of the feuda
lords of Europe, while materials fol
barricades were always kept close a
hand.
} Now followed a desperate struggle
: within the narrow court of the house
but the superiority of our revolver.
aud bowies over the weapons of til,
indians soon strewed the ground viii
: the lifeless and dying forms Of on
savage fOemen, and we We're alone il
, the place.
Once more we heard the encoursg
| ing voice of our brave captain shout
; ing:
: Now, my men, to the upper rooms
: and let Us defend ourselves to the last
These red rascals won't stay ner,
; long; they'll be in hurry to leave tn,
road over which portions of our army
. are daily passing. If We can keeI
them at bay till morning, all viii b,
. safe"'
!, The lower part Of the house wa
without windows; only narrow sllts il