Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-11-28
...JOE BAKERS GAL,

milton, and when we came to take
stock we knew that we could hold out
for week, 30 far as having the means
Of defense. 1t was the question OF
food and water which made everyone
look serious. There wasn't food enough
to give the five Of us a square meal
and not a drop Of water inside the
walls. The spring from which It was
as wanted, was 200 feet
away, and It would be running the
gantlet Of death to attempt to reach It.
"well," said Joe Bakers GAL" when
we had canvassed our situation and Its
chances. I'VE must put up with things
as they are and do our best. The In.
dams have encircled the cabin and
will be on the watch the rest Of the
night, but they will make no move un.
til daylight comes. Let Us sleep II we
can"
She went to her room and the four
Of US lay down on the door and mapped
until daylight came. The Indians
counted on us as sure prize and only
needed to be vigilant, while night last.
ed to see that we did not escape. There
was but little firing during the last
Of the night, and none at oil during the
first hour Of daylight. From the loop.
holes we saw the Indians moving
about. however. and It was clear that
they were all around 10 and In strong
force.
In the larder there were about ave
pounds Of nour and two or three pounds
Of accommodating else. The outbreak
might or might not be known at the
fort. Even II It was. the colonel would
hesitate before weakening his slender
garrison to send q column to Our re.
lief. He would rather expect us to
fight our way through or dodge about
and come In singly as fugltives. There
was no telling how long we should
be coopcd up to live on those scant 70.
tons. and by common consent we went
without breakfast.
The Indians cooked their morning
meal in leisurely manner, and It was
some time after sunrise before they
made their first move. 1t was o band
with "Chief Charlie" In command, and
he knew Baker and the girl even better
than we did. Baker had hunted with
him aud on one occasion had saved
his life. and he called at the cabin on
various occasions and had been hos.
pitably received. He was. therefore
probably In earnest when he advanced
alone ana unarmed to within a few
feet Of the cabin and said to Mary:
I'VE are on the warpath against the
whites and We mean to kill. kill. Kill
until all are dead or driven away
Your father saved my life. and an In
dian never forgets. do not want harm
to come to you, and you shall take
your horse and ride away to the for,
In safety"
"But what about tho soldiers?" she
asked from ono Of the loopholes.
"rhey cannot co." he replied. 1.-THE
soldiers are here to make war ON us
to shoot W. down-to make us obey or
ders we do not like. We have only
hatred for them. ! know how many
there arc In thcrc-fOur. They have
their guns and will fight. but we shall
kill every one. Como out, and we will
send you safely away"
II shall remain here and help IN.
soldiers to fight you" answered tn,
girl.
"Then you will be killed with them
The chief turned away and wen
back to bis warriors and ten minutes
later there was circle OF fire all abou
the cabin. The loopholcs were the oh
jects aimed at. and % every redskis
was sheltered from our return Are ",
plugged the loopholes up and did no
Gre Q shot In answer. 1t was noon be
fore their fusillade ceased, and II wa
almost the last bullet which pene
trated o loophole and struck one o.
the soldiers In the groin. In half al
hour he was dead. From the minute
no was hit until the death rattle cam,
the girl sat beside him. holding BIZ
hand. but helpless to do anything
When his life went out she rose VI
quietly and said:
Garry the body into my room an,
lay 1t on tho floor. Thank God. he ID,
not cry out for water when We ha,
none to give"
We had scarcely removed the bod,
when the Indians made q rush. Their
were now 100 of them. Some of then
carried log to batter In the door
some climbed upon the roof, som
fought with us for possession of tn
lOophOles. We fired up through tn
brush and dirt aud through the loop
holes, and ut the end Of ten minute
had beaten them Off, but we had los
another man. A bullet had struck hin
In the heart and he had fallen wltholl
q groan. In return We could coun
Ave dead Indians outside and see tire
or four wounded crawling away.
As We bent over the man and kney
thar he was dead the girl motioncd 70
us to lay him beside the other, an
when we had returned to the iron
room 1t was to beg OF her to accer
Chief Charles" offer. II he still hel
IT. good. and secure her own safety
with only three Of us left to guar
the cabin another such general attac
must overcome us. She replied thu
she would not so, and We Mt once Sc
about relOading the carbines and NAL
Ing ready to defend the cabin to tn
last. 1t was hours before we hear
from the Indians again, and we wer
almost certain that they had drawn Of
when. an hour after sunset, and will
out the slightest warning, they rushe
for us as before.
i We blazed away as fast as we coul
through the loopholes, but am SUI