The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-23
PART Ii.


repairing party. 1t was lucky for The
wounded lieutenant, for ''the lady froIa
the east" and for all concerned except
the Indians. The sergeant was vet
eran Indian fighter and a man of nerve.
The little troop had come out with only
their blankets and cooking utensils.
expecting TO pass only night at the
Run, and had camped down close 10
their work. The position was an ex-
posed one, and the first move was TO
seek better one. Such place was at
hand among the powders on the hill-
side overlooking the bridge. Two
troopers were sent up the road quar-
fer Of a mile TO act as yidettes, two
more down the road 10 see if the In
dlans had reached 1t on that side, and
as the lieutenant recovered conscious
ness again the sergeant saluted and
said:
"We are going TO move up among the
rocks, sir. There come the men from
below, and it's sure we have the red
skins on both sides of MS. No fear
about our standing 'cm off, however.
Now, boys, easy with him."
The horses were unsaddled and
driven down into the bed of the Run
TO take care of themselves. All the can
teens, coffee pots and kettles were filled
with fresh water and carried up to the
new camp, and without fuss or excite
ment the entire party and all their
belongings were soon posted on the hill.
With their axes the men Topped of
branches to make n bed for the wound
ed officer, and loose rocks were piled
between the powders TO make the po-
sition impregnable. When the SER
geant reported TO his officer what nc
had done the latter replied:
avery we'll. lou have done just tho
right thing. i am better now, and I'll
try TO help you out with advice. If the
Indians attack see that Miss Phelps is
well sheltered. If the reds are above
and below wee can't expect help. How
are the men"
"All right, sir. Davis is wounded,
but not disabled, and there'll be eight
OF us to hold the place. We can hold it
for week. II the lady will look arter
you well take care Of the numbering
redskins."
The officer felt his position keenly,
but it could not be helped. Such was
the pain of the wound in the hip that he
was compelled to lie at full length.
Had he been able to sit up with his back
to a rock his pistol arm was useless.
After her rally the girl had taken hold
in way to prove that she had plenty of
pluck, and she now announced her
readiness to take charge of the help
less man. DO you look for love and ro-
znance here? III SO i must disappoint
you. Miss Phelps was already en-
gagged to n young man in her home city,
and Lieut.. Day had passed into con-
'firmcd bachelorhood. Her heart was
big with gratitude, however, for his
gailantry nnd courage, and on his part
he had that chivalrous reverence and
admiration for the sex always to be
found in the army officer, but always
showing the stronger at the posts far
ithest from civilization.
IF you had not covered my retreat
YOU would not have received those bull
lets." she reproachfrlly said, as she
wet the bandages over his wounds.
'sThey are mere scratches and won't
bother me n month";" he stoutly re-
piled. my only regret is that can't
sit ur and take a hand In. You must
act as my aide as well as nurse. How
are the men posted?"
"On the three sides of the square,"
she replied.
az do not wnnt 70 call the sergeant
away. Go down to him and ask If thcrc
are any signs of the Indians yet. They
may cross the road without attacking
us"
In five minutes she returned to re-
port:
''The sergeant says the Indians are
closing in from the west and the north,
and he expects rust within ten min
utes. He has counted as high MS 80,
but believes the party is much larger"
The Indians did not wait ten minutes.
They had left men TO hold the road
above and below. and they aimed TO
wipe out the soldiers and then make
their dash into Little Valley and out
again before any news could reach Fort
Bliss. There were about 30 in the rush
against the two sides of the camp most
open TO Attacks to a side. AZ sig
nal whoop they came tearing up the