Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-09-26
Ft&(k Ft&(k WELDON &SfafPkk>
BY ALFRED r.. CALHOUN.
Copyright, 1895, by American Press Association.
CHAPTER xxx

CHAPTER xxx
As Bouton fell the rife he was about
to aim at Captain Brandon dropped
from his hand, and he wheeled about as
if on q pivot and so faced his astonished
men. All heard the shot, but they did
not know what to make Of it. There
was no foe in sight, and they were on
the point of concluding that it was an
accidental shot from one Of their own
rifles when they heard yells coming
down from the cliffs, and looking up
they saw Black Eagle motioning wildly
at something still lower down.
The astounded outlaws forgot for the
moment the man they were about to ex-
ecute and scattered to get better view
of the source Of danger. While they
were watching Black Eagle and his In
dians Henry Kyle, whose unerring rifle
had stretched Bouton on the earth, nev-
er to rise again. dropped into the valley,
with Kushat beside him, and before the
outlaws could realize what had happen
ed they threw themselves before the
captain, and, both having pistols, open.
ed fire.
Fairplay was the first to recover his
presence Of mind. and shouting to his
companions to follow him he fired at
the young hero and the Indian girl In
a few seconds volley was poured at
the devouted pair, and they fell across
the captain, completely covering him.
That was Fairplay's last order. Before
the men could retreat the wall Of the
valley directly in their front seemed to
open, and from it band Of men
swarmed out, with the Prophet at their
head and Howard Blanchard and Louis
Kyle close behind. The Prophet shouted:
"For God and justicel Chargep
A cheer was the answer, and the i'm
migrants and herders threw themselves
with irresistible force on the outlaws
Utterly demoralized, though they out
numbered their assailants' four to one,
they fed precipitously through the can
yon by which they had entered the val
ley.
Here Font Robb succeeded in halting
them, when suddenly cry went up
from the outlaws:
Troops, Robb, troops! Let us re-
treat or we shall be lostP'
A bugle rang out clear and loud above
the roar Of the conflict Neither friend
nor foe was long in doubt. Out from
the black rift the blue clad horsemen
swarmed, and as they entered the val
ley they drew their sabers and formed
in line till the sun flashed on 60 uplifted
blades. The officer in command hesitat-
ed Though he saw that fight was 60
ing on, he could not tell friend from
foe. Seeing his perplexity, the Prophet
ran toward the young officer, whom he
had not seen before, and shouted:
"Yonder are the invaders and out
laws. Charge them, in Gods name, and
smite them hip and thigh till the power
Of Belial be brokenv'
Still Captain Duncan deliberated,
and it is doubtful if he would have gone
into the action had not Black Eagle and
his warriors opened fire from the cliffs,
fact that encouraged the fugitives to
make a stand
Riding quietly to the front of the
line, the handsome young officer in COM
mand called out calmly:
Attention.
In an instant the men sat straight in
their saddles, grasped the bride reins
In their left hands, and, with their saber
hilts resting against their right hips,
they gazed fxedly at an imaginary line
30 feet in front Even the jaded horses
pricked up their ears in anticipation Of
the next order.
Forward, trot!' The line moved
forward to the music of jingling spurs
and Gathering scabbards.
The next instant the thrilling notes of
the "Charge" rang out. From each
mans hip blade flashed high in the
air, and from each riders lips burst the
cavalry cheer: charge! Charge"
"We surrender! We surrender!
shouted the outlaws as they threw down
the arms they had just nervously dis
charged.
They spoke too late to restrain the
onset, even had the officer commanding
ordered it, which he had not time to do