The National tribune., 1896-11-12
another, which, after being filled, were
returned in the same manner.

returned In the same manner.
As soon as it was dark the wounded
were made as comfortable as possible
and Col. Forsyth, knowing that the In
dians would attempt to starve them into
surrender, prepared for a long siege by
ordering the men to cut steaks from the
horses, as the flesh would become tainted
before morning; accordingly, strips were
taken frcm the dead animals and hung
across the lariat ropes to dry, and in this
way enough was secured to keep the
scouts from starvation. That night Col
Forsyth
CALLED FOR VOLUNTEERS
to go to Fort Wallace, distant 11C
miles, for help. Jack Stillwell and
Pierre Trudeau were selected for the
perilous undertaking, and at once made
preparations to depart
There was still a small store Of
crackers on hand, and each scout fur
nished of bis scanty share until it was
thought that this, with the fruit that
could be obtained on the way, would
prove sufficient for the journey. With
this meager ration, and each man carry
ing $50 rounds of cartridges, about 10
o'clock they shook hands with their
comrades and crept quietly from the
island. Stillwell's words at parting
with his companions were: "Boys, keep
up good courage; you will see me back
again; FIJI bring you reffef." Before
morning they had succeeded in getting
through the lines, but when daylight
came they were so near the enemy that
they were compelled to remain secreted
during the entire day within sound of
the firing on the island; but when dark
ness came they hurried away, and before
the next morning dawned they had left
the Indians far behind.
On the island the forepart of the
night was spent in burying the dead,
caring for the wounded, preparing food,
and still further strengthening defenses !;
double guards were thrown out and
about midnight the scouts lay down
in their ride-pits, and those not suffering
from wounds slept until morning.
AT about daybreak the neighing of
horses across the river gave notice that
the Indians were again on the move, and
the warning ran along the line to get
ready for them The enemy moved
cautiously along in the twilight until
they arrived at the camping-ground on
the north bank, where they halted and
ONE SHOT WAS FIRED;
but as it brought no response from the
island, they advanced to the river bank,
where they remained for a few minutes
in perfect quiet; then came the sound of
horses feet as they slid down the bank
into the yielding sand.
It was now light enough to distinguish
the mass of horsemen. and volley from
% or 80 carbines was poured into them ;
evidently this proved surprise, for
without waiting for a second greeting
they fled in great confusion until, safer
distance attained, they sent in few scat
tering shots which were not replied to
by the scouts It was impossible to de-
termine the loss to the enemy, but had
the order to fire been withheld for few
minutes, they doubtless would have ap-
preached much nearer, and in conse-
quenee received terrible chastisement
as it was, a few riderless horses galloped
of, but the killed and wounded were
carried away by their companions. The
body of Roman Nose, which at dark lay
in front of Jack Stillwell's rifle pit, had
disappeared, his warriors having quietly
taken possession of it within the night
There was no more fighting on the
second day the Indians could be seen
in all directions, but they carefully kept
out of range, and it now became evident
that they were not desirous of making
any more charges, their object being to
starve the scouts out The day was
spent in caring for the wounded, giving
them every attention possible; still, theil
sufferings were most trying, the death oi
Surgeon Moores leaving the command
without man capable of setting frac
tured limb or properly dressing wound
That night, not knowing the fate o.
Stillwell and Trudeau, Col. Forsyth sem
out two more men with dispatches, bu
they were unable to elude the enemy
and returned the next morning.
About dawn of the third day tn,
Indians again assembled with pretens'
of charging, but contented themselve
by
FIRING A. FEW SHOTS
from a safe distance, after which the,
rode slowly away.
During the day fire was kept u
from one point ON the river bank wher
daring warrior had secreted himself
and from whence at regular intervals th
smoke of his rifle was seen, followed b
the whizzing of bullet, each time pas
ing uncomfortably close to the conceale
scouts Col. Forsyth called out, Loo
out for that fellow; he will do mischief.
Not being able to determine his exat
locality, as the next puff of smoke aros
volley was fired in his direction, whe
the Indian sprang to his feet and ran fd
some distance, dropping his blanket an
feigning that he was shot. "Give it (
1 Il ~