The Forrest City times., 1895-03-01
rOhlfol CITY, ARK- FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 1. 1885,

orders to make 'em stay here, anyway" But before the order was given the wagons were on their way across the prairie. The men watched the cloud of alkali dust which overhung the white-topped wagons until it disap- peared from sight.
 See to your arms and have your cartridge belts full. They are sure to call upon us before long, if they can reach us," was the order.
 The sun rose higher in the murlxv sky, hung like a ball of fire overhead, and slowly sank toward the dim west ern horizon.
 Still no news from the emigrants They're dead - sure's thunder!" eJaculated Ben Long. "They never'd gone this time. A-h-h!" Each man followed Ben's eager gaze. Through the gathering twilight they saw the outline of horse and rider dash over ridge mile away. An instant and 1t was gone, but the sound of horses hoofs came nearer and nearer until out of the gloom dashed the great gray leader.
 His rider was elin Nance. Her face was trifle pale perhaps, but as emo- tionless as when she left the camp in the morning. The call to boots and saddles sounded before the pantinp horse stopped, and the troopers ran hither and thither in confusion and haste.
 Well, sis, where are they?" asked the commander.
 ''Less'n ten mile. Broke a. wapon wheel an went inter camp middlin' airly," was the brief reply
 Have the Indians made an attack?' "Ye-up, or 1 wouldn't be here, would 1, mister?"
 Many redskins?"
 ''More'n hundred"
 How did you get here?"
 Jumped onto ole Gray's back an cum--rode through 'em"
 There's blood on your sleeve-you are wounded?"
 Scratched leetle with one of them arrers-nary a bullet hit me, reckin. But you'll hev to hurry, mister. There's heaps of 'em agin' six, an pop was nlJ l1Ore lefO.
 The girl slipped from old Gray's back and ran to the commanders side.
 What now?" he questioned.
 "Praps you'll let me take fresh boss, mister, an a shooter. I had ter leave mine" she said earnestly.
 You mustn't go with us."
 You bet yer boots do."
 Give her horse; she won't be in more danger than to stay here alone. '
 When the troopers were mounted Nance spurred her new steed alongside of the colonels horse, riding there in silence for some time.
 Then she spoke abruptly: "'Taint very bad fer six of lem ter hold back more'n hundred" she said, as they heard the sound of distant firing.
 'I hope we're not too late!" muttered the colonel, anxiously.
 "Oh, no, yer ain't," she answered, cheerfully, with the same shrill laugh. "Ye hear them guns-an' as long as pops alive them Injunsll stay out CT that camp. Hear 'em now. kin tell pops gun 'mongst million; it sounds like cannon most, don't it? Coin ter charge, mister?"
 "Yes, and you must fall back to the rear"
 "No-up. Not much, I don't, mister. I'll keep right side of you "
 No, fall back"
 You bet I'll be right alongside ot you, mister, when ye git there. Jest look! Runnin' already, ain't they, mister?"
 It was true; the Indians suddenly re- mbered that
 He who fights and runs away Will live to fight another day" but seven of them were captured, with but two soldiers wounded. Two men, two women and three children among the emigrants were wounded and every horse lay dead
 Fifteen minutes more would have wiped them all out" said Private Knowles, grimly, as they encircled the wagons under which the defenders lay. Nance slid from her horse and crawled under the nearest one.
 Are ye hurt, pop?" she asked, anx- iously.
 ''Nothin' more'n scratch, I reckin. Be ye hurt, sis?"
 "Jest a musketter bite. Did ye see ] me go, pop?" i "Ye-up. reclkin did"
 Wal, I fetched 'em."
 ''I knowed ye would" Just then the curtains of the wagon parted. "Nance" called the woman. | ''I'm here, marm."
 "Whare ye bin?"
 ''I took ole Gray an fetched the sol jers."
 1 ''Oh, ye did. That's lucky ye thought