The National tribune., 1896-11-12

gave rise to the hope that they had
taken the alarm, and were leaving
Still, careful watch was kept up to
guard against surprise.
On the morning of the ninth day
Eli Zeigler and Vilott volunteered to
repair to high bluff about halfmile
to the northwest, which they named
Point Lookout, and to there keep watch
for help, and to signal their companions
at the first approach. This hight is
near the place where Roman Nose and
his warriors assembled on the first day,
and commands an extensive view of the
valley to a great distance.
About 10 o'clock, away on the south
ern hills. some six or eight miles dis
tant, appeared a line of objects that at
once arrested the attention of the two
scouts, coming into view as they did in
the direction from whence succor was to
come. Vilott called out:
"Ze;gler, / see something. What is
that away yonder?
Zeigler replied: Buffalo,
The two men, shading their eyes,
watched the moving objects intently for
few moments, until, as they gained a
point more favorable for observation, the
conviction came to the minds of both
that it was a Government train from
Fort Wallace.
Waiting until they were fully con-
vinced that help was at hand, they
swung their hats above their heads as a
joyful signal to their distant comrades.
The scouts On the island mistaking this
demonstration as warning of the ap-
proach of an enemy, at once made prepa-
rations for defending themselves; but
soon, ON the hills to the south, and not
more than two miles away, several horse
men came in sight, riding directly to-
ward the island, where they arrived at
the moment Vilott and Zeigler appeared
on the north bank. They were Col.
Carpenter and staff, DR.. Fitzgerald, and
the two scouts, Pliley and Donivan, the
advance of Carpenters men, who arrived
an hour or two later.
1t is impossible to describe the meet
ing that now took place. Men rushed
into each others arms; some cried, some
DANCED AND SANG,
the wounded set up a faint cheer as they
once more saw horsemen among them,
realizing that they were saved.
Col. Forsyth was lying in his rifle
pit wasted and worn from nine days of
terrible suffering, when Col Carpenter
sprang from his horse and walked
quickly to the spot pointed out to him
by one of the scouts. Col. Forsyth
reached out a trembling, emaciated
hand, which was grasped by his COM
rade, and the two remained silent for a
moment looking into each others eyes.
The rugged scouts had endured nine
days of war and famine; had seen their
companions shot down by their side,
some of them lingering long hours before
death came. They had borne up under
all, and had shown no signs of weakness;
but when that meeting took place in
Col. Forsyth's riae-pit they turned away
with bowed heads.
Following close after Col. Carpenter
came a wagonload Of supplies, on the
arrival Of which the camp was removed
to the south side of the stream, where
the wounded, under the care of DR..
Fitzgerald, received the attention SO
much needed.
The next morning Col. Bankhead
and Jack Stiilwell rode into camp an
hour in advance of the command, which
they left few miles down the valley,
As they rode up at full speed Stillwell
dropped the reins on his horses neck
and, leaping to the ground, rushed with
arms extended wide to greet his COM
rades, who now crowded around him.
cheering and shaking hands.
| He had been true to the promise made
on the night he left the island; he and
Trudeau appeared at the post in advance
of Pliley and Donivan, but Col. Bank
head took the Custer trail directly north
to the Republican River, thence up the
valley, while Carpenter, at the time 2(
miles west of Fort Wallace, led by PHI
ley and Donivan, started in straight
course for the island, arriving one day
in advance of Col. Bankhead.
The loss to the Indians during ths
siege was never accurately determined
but was known to be severe.
Lieut. Beecher, Surgeon Moores, Geo
Chalmers, William Wilson, and Loui
Farley were buried on the island.
On the return to Fort Wallace, sons
20 miles from the scene of battle, On TIN
bank of small stream, the scouts dis
covered white buffalo lodge. On Ell
tering they there found the bsdy 0
Roman Nose resting On scafold fou
or FIVE feet in hight. About him wer
placed his weapons, drum, and trophie
of war. while lying around outside wer
several Of his horses, which, in accord
ance with their peculiar rites, had bee
strangled and left for the use Of thei
chief on his journey to the happy hunt
ing ground.
Owing to the condition of the wound
ed, progress was necessarily slow, an
three days were required in the retur
tn Fort Wallace. where. on their arriya