Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-12-12

to defend it. There was gloom, there.
fore, in Bulls sole remaining optic as
he received in majestic silence the adju'
tant's indignant rendering Of the colo
nel's message, and, motioning to bis
blanketed braves to follow, he turned
about and rode away.
"What do you think they'll do?" was
the eager question asked the adjutant
on his return to the post. "1s he mad
enough to mean fght?"
"Be is, if he doesn't get any drunk
er," was the answer. more whisky
would be the surest way Of settling the
question now, but it would rob us Of
the pleasure of knocking him out-and
be id to him for spelling my din.
ner!''
At 8 o'clock that night, with one
platoon in dispersed order we'll to the
front and others in reserve, while the
garrison of Fort Frayne stood by thei,
arms within the fort, Captain Farwell's
troop moved slowly up the dark valley,
along the sDow covered fats, out beyond
the point where the delegation was met
at dusk and held at bay, and, though
the stars were glinting in the frosty sky
and not breath Of air was stirring
and the night was still as solitude it.
self, not a whisper could be heard from
the direction of the village, not sparh
Of fire could be seen. Over against them
on the northern shore were sounds al
times as of rapid hoof beats muf1ed by
the snow. Half mile out horsemar
loomed up at the front and in moment
was merged in the advancing line.
"What is it, sergeant? What news
have you?'' asked the young platoon
commander.
They're off, sir! A whole gang OF
old folks and women On ponies and
travois has started across the Platte.
The warriors are all there yet You'll
hear Big Road shouting in minute.
He's fighting full and is urging on some
deviltry. I can't make out what, but
from all we can understand Of it he
wants to lead rush through the.s stables
to capture or kill the horses. He's just
drunk enough to try, but the others
won't let him. They declare they won't
follow him. They know too much.
What they want to do is to get out and
reach Trooper creek tonight, l reckon. "
"Ride back, then, and let the captain
know, Who else are out at the front on
watch?''
"Only Rorke and two or three Of the
Indian troop, sir. They are taking care
of themselves, though.
And then for moment the forward
movement ceased. "Halt, haltp' were
the low toned orders Of the noncommis-
stoned officers dispersed along the line,
and under the twinkling stars, dim,
ghostly and silent. the extended rank OF
riders seemed as one man to rein in and
wait. Here and there an impatient
charger began to paw the snow, and
others shifted suspiciously and cooked
their pointed ears in the direction of the
unseen village. Some young troopers,
tremulous with excitement and cold
combined, began to slap their fur gloved
hands on breast or thigh and had to be
sternly called to order. Presently q
muffled horseman came riding up from
the rear, trumpeter in his tracks.
"That's right, Martin. You did well
to halt minute. I've sent back word
to Colonel Fenton. He had wired to the
agency before we pulled out "
Cant we turn 'em back without his
authority, sir?"
"No, even when we know they mean
to cross the Platte. But orders will
come tonight. The wires are working
we'll"
Captain, did you hear what Captain
Amory said. this EVENING"" asked the
youngster as he edged in closer to the
elders side. "that Ormsby never came
out here that we didn't have a shindy
with the Sioux?"
eyes, but poor Jack is out of the
dance this time and can't be with us
as he was before. "
II don't understand, salo MarGln,
having some vague theory that the ILL
ness of Miss Farrar was at the bottom
of Ormsby's inability to take part in
the promised chase. II didn't suppose
anything could keep him from taking q
hand in soldier service.
"Well, that's just it. Those fellows
in the Seventh are as punctilious on a
point of duty as any man we know IN
the army. Ormsby promised to be back
with his company for some review or
ceremony within this week. He's got
to 20. They've telegraphed to remind
him, and he has just time, barring &C.
oident, to make the trip"
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEDNESDAY
DIDN'T KNOW OF THE ELECTION