Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-27
THE WELDON ESTATE.
By ALFRED B. CALHOUN.
Copyright, 1886, by American Press Associa
ton
CHAPTER xxx.

Don.
CHAPTER xxx.
As Bouton fell the rifle he was about
to aim at Captain Brandon dropped
| from his hand, and he wheeled about as
| if on 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 10 ex-
ecute and scattered TO get better view
II 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 10 rise again. dropped into the valley,
with kushat beside him, and before the
outlaws could realize what had happen
cd they threw themselves before the
captain, and, both having pistols, open
cd 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 ut
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 il q band Of men
swarmed ont, with the Prophet at their
head and Howard Blanchard and Louis
Kyle close behind. The Prophet shouted {:
For God and justiccl Chargev'
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 70 one,
they fled 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 LOST
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
syarmed, and as they entered the val
lev they drew their sabers and formed
in line till the sun flashed on 60 uplifted
blades The officer in command hesitat-
I'd. Though he saw that "A fight was GO
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 ont
laws. Charge them, in Gods name, and
smire them hip and thigh till the power
II Belial be- broken!'
Still Captain Duncan deliberated,
and il is doubtful if he would have gone
into the action had not Black Eagle and
mis- warriors opened fire from the cliffs,
4 fact that encouraged the fugitiyes TO
make stand.
Riding quietly TO the front OF the
line, the handsome young officer i'll 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 fixedly at an imaginary line
so feet in front. Even the jaded horses
prickei up their ears in anticipation OF
| the next order.
Forward, trotr' The line moved
forward to the music Of jingling spurs
and Gathering scabbards.
The next instant the thrilling notes oil
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 il, which he had not time 10 dc