The Louisiana populist., 1896-12-04

but fortunately sbe caught sight ol
them IN time to close the door. Then
began fight which lasted for an hour,
during which tae had killed two and
wounded another of their number.
The redskins had at length drawn off,
and the brave girls first thought was
OF the soldiers on the mountainside.
She hoped We had heard the firing and
wonld como down to investigate, but
RS midnight came without us she left
her shelter and headed for our camp,
knowing at any step she might run
against a prowling Indian, but yet
determined to warn aud save us.
We were soldiers and by no means
novlces In Indian warfare, and vet
none of us grumbled when che assumed
the leadership and passed the word to
slowly fall back on the cabin. The
Indians pressed us every foot of the
way, and but for the darkness of the
night and the girls familiarity with
the 10y of the gronnd not one of us
would have escaped. We were no
sooner sheltered by the cabin than it
was clear that We must stand a seige
before the door could be opened again.
! Bakers cabin, as have told you,
was pretty substantial affair, its
walls being of rock and its roof of
dirt. Here and there were loopholes,
and the door was heavy enough to stop
a bullet. In leaving the fort we had
been provided with one hundred
rounds OF ammunition per man. In
our retreat from camp the four of us
had brought off our carbines and
cartridges. The girl was armed with
Winchester, for which she had
bountiful supply of ammunition, and,
when We came to take stock, we knew
that we could hold out for q week, so
far as having the means of defence.
1t was the question of food and water
which made every one look serious.
There wasn't food enough to give the
five OF us square meal and not drop
OF water inside the walls. The spring
from which it was obtained, as wanted,
was two hundred feet away, and it
would be running the gauntlet of
death TO attempt to reach it.
"Well," said "Joe Bakers gal,"
when we had csnvassed our situation
and its chances, eve must put up with
things as they are and do our lest.
The Indians have encIrcled the cabin
and will be on the watch the rest of
the night, but they will make no move
until daylight comes. Let US sleep if
We can."
She went to her room and the four
OF us lay down on the floor and mapped |
until daylight came. The Indians
counted on US as a sure prize and only
needed to be vigilsnt 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 all dur.
ing the first hour of daylight. From
the loopholes we saw the Indians NOV
ing about, however, and it was clear
that they were all around us and in
strong force. In the larder there
were about fve pounds of -four and
two or three pounds of bacon-noth.
ing else. The soutbreak might or
might not be known at the fort. Even
If it was the Colonel would hesitate
before Weakening his slender garrison
to send column to our relief. He
would rather expect us to fight our
way through or dodge about and come
in singly as fugitives. There was no
telling how long we should be cooped
up to live on those scant rations, and
by common consent we went without
breakfast. The Indians cooked their
morning meal in a leisurely manner
md it was sometime after sunrise be-
lore they made their first move. It
vas band with "Chief Charlie" in {
command. and he knew Baker and the {
girl even better than we did. Baker ]
had hunted with him, and on one oc.
,asion had saved his life, and he called I
It the cabin on various occasions and
lad been Hospitality received. He {
vas therefore probably. in earnest '
vhen he advanced aloue and unsrmed =
o within few feet of the cabin and
aid to Mary:
"We are on the warpath against the L
whites, and we mean to kill, kill, kill a
Until all are dead or driven away. {
FOUR father saved my life, and an In. d
Ian never forgets. / do not want t
arm to come to you, and you shall b
axe your horse and ride away to the 8
ort In safety"
"But what about the soldiers9" she t
sked from one of the loopholes. t
'They cannot CO." he replied. v
The soldiers are here to make war on a
s-to shoot us down-to make us
bey orders we do not like. We have O
My hatred for them. know how g
,any there are in there-four. They q
ave their guns and will fight, but we q
hall kill every one. Come out, and I
70 will send you safely away" Il
81 shall remain here and help the Z,
oldiers to fight you'll" answered the