The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-08
THE MAJORS COURTSHIP.
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BY Nellie CrOlins.

Major HERBERT, OF the rlltu heSu-
lars, had returned from Montana to
the home Of his boyhcod Fort Hanl-
ton, n. y. He had been on active
duty in the west for nearly five years
ever moving from place to place, for
at the time of which we write the
sayages had become disconnected and
fiisor,lerly. and frequent depredations
upon white settlers were the result.
To subdue the lawless Indians was
the chief duty of the troop under the
Immediate command Of Major Hef-
bert, or "Fighting Bob rs he was
called.
In one of these conflicts with the
willy savage foes, the major with 4
detached body of fifty men, was
adroitly led into an ambuscade. about
forty miles from Fort Benton. Here,
In Il natural basin about Il half-mile
in diameter. surrounded by heavily
wooded hills. the fifty men were ell
-circled by fully one hundred and
twenty savages, who thought to pick
off the soldiers at their leisure, by fir
Eng at them from the trees behind
which the Indians were screened from
observation.
This style of warfare was not adj
'hill Cil " ~ IllltS 11oD. ~ IIf "
break through his scattered foes
would be extremely hazardous; to
make dash for the heights would
recklessly expose his command. He
therefore made his men screen them
selves behind a cluster of powders
and from their protecting shelter
make targets Of every savage head
or body that exposed itself on the
heights.
Just after dusk they crawled in a
body to a narrow defile, hoping thus
to safely make their exit unobserved.
This was just what the Indians had
anticipa tel. and had there concentrate
ed their forces.
''Fighting Bob" soon discovered the
new move on the part Of the enemy,
and he said:
Boys, the redskins are just as we
want them--all in a bunch. With our
foes only in front of us, we can soon
start them on the journey to the happy
hunting grounds"
Creeping cautiously as near to the
Zoe as possible, without revealing
themselves. they lay concealed until
daylight.
The first faint streak Of the sray
dawn were just visible when three
quick volleys from the troops aWoke
the mountain echoes; and then the
blue-ccats dashed in upon the red
skins.
Il was a surprise. and the contest
was brief and decisive.
sn less thin ten minutes over a hum
'tlreu savages lay dead or wounded
upon the field, and the remainder
sought safety in flight.
In the melee the major was severely
wounded by a knife thrust in the
shoulder, in 4 hand-tO-hand conflict
with two stalwart redskins. one of
whom had just stunned a private
named Easton, telling him with a club
and the other was about to scalp him
when ''Fighting Bob bounced upon
them, sword in hand.
He made quick work with the blood
thirsty wretches; in two minutes they
were stretched lifeless beside their iu-
tended victim. and young Easton was
thus saved from their intended butch
cry.
The wound received by the major
proved to be very severe, and after
the return to camp it was five weeks
Before he was able to use his arm.
News Of the valiant fight against
such overwhelming odds-With almost
three to one against them-sOOn reach
ed the war department at Washington,
and ''Fighting Bob was thanked by
the Secretary in an autograph letter,
and given an extended furlough, to
recruit his health
A month later, as described in the
opening Of this story, we find him at
his early home, Fort Hamilton, the
welcome guest of his maternal aunt
Mrs. Hodgkinson.
One day, while strolling along the
shore road, about half a mile from
the fort, he came across a young lady
painting at her easel.
Without thinking what he was do
ing, he wandered up behind the artist
and looking over her shoulder stood
for a minute or two, admiring the
half-fnished water-color.
Then, suddenly seeing the lady abou
to move, and realizing the apparen
rudeness on his part, he lifted his hat
and mumbled out some indistinc
words Of apology.
'There is no need Of an apology,
she said, turning to him. Il take i
as great compliment that you SHOULD
care to look at my poor Efforts
"Scarcely that" he replied. II wa
attracted by the cleverness of you
work, and that must be my excuse
for intrusion"
"Ah! Major Herbert, like all soldier
you are not above flattery,' she an
swered with sweet smile and tn
least suspicion Of color mounting t.
her cheek-and then she turned t
pack up her easel and sSetching pad
The major seized the opportunity an,
begged to be allowed to help her. Re
.ceiying assent, he went down on hi
knees to arrange the portable appara
GuS.
For a few minutes there was a
awkward silence-both experiencin
,shyness in each others company
Nov come, tell me how you kney
Il was a soldier" he said at last, an
without looking up.
"a What modestyv' she replied "A
II all Fort Hamilton does not. kno,
'a1ajor Herbert, the hero Of the grea