Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-12-24

back" And Farwell came with speed.
"Mr. Farrar," he said, an unmistak-
able tremor in his tone, "there's not a
moment to be lost. They are passing
through the canyon now. We can hear
them plainly, but they have flankers out
along the bluff. Two bucks rode by not
a moment ago, and Bear says the whole
outfit is pushing for the race track. I've
got to head them off farther up the
gulch. Bear says we can get down in
single file by an old game trail there,
and wish you to dismount right here,
line this slope with your men, send at
least dozen down into the ravine and
stand off Big Road and his fellows
while we corral that whole village and
tart it for home. They can't tell how
few you are In number, and Fenton will
be close at their heels. Between you
they ought to be forced to the north
side while I'm driving the village out
to the south. You understand, do you
not? It's a fight In the dark. and they're
afraid of it, anyhow. You've got
splendid troop. lad, and they won't fail
you. Don't be ashamed to ask your old
sergeants for advice. You understand
fullyY"
II do" said Will stoutly, though his
young heart was hammering in his
breast. "We'll do our best, sir. Form
fours, sergeant, and link-lively, he
added, then grasped the captains hand
one instant before the latter turned
away. Silently, quickly the men linked
horses, and, leaving No. 4 Of each
set in saddle, came running up to
tho front, unslinging carbines on the
way. Farwell and his fellows went trot-
ting off among the clumps of pine as
the last man fell in on the left. Then,
quickly dividing of a dozen troopers
from that flank, Will placed the first
sergeant in charge and bade him find
the way down the steep incline to the
bottom Of the gorge, which there was
not moro than $50 feet below, giving
him instr uctions to be ready to sweep it
with their fire when the warriors came,
as come they speedily must. Next, fac
ing eastward, he deploycd his men,
causing them to stand or kneel in the
shelter Of tho little trees, but to keep
vigilant lookout Another little squad
was strung out down the face Of the
bluff to keep connection with the men
descending to the depths of the canyon,
and these preparations were barely COM
pleted when, riding at rapid gait, two
horsemen came dashing up the eastward
slope. The painting Of the ponies could
be heard before anything could be seen,
but the instant the vague shapes appear
ed two sudden shots rang out on the
night, and then dozen-a sputtering
volley-f1ashed from the line.
Down went one pony, struggling and
rolling in the snow. Away sped the
other back into the blackness Of the
night. Then dark object seemed to
disengage itself from the struggling
pony and go crouching and limping
away. Two or three excited young SOL
diers banged their carbines without the
faintest aim. Then it seemed as though
the hillsidcs woke to u wild revel Of
battle, for, behind them, far up the can
yon, there rose wall of terror from the
fleeing squaws and shouts Of the few old
braves left to guard them, rcsounding
warwhoops Of younger Indians some
where, anywhere, everywhere, down the
slopes to the east Then o bright col
umn Of fame shot high in air over
among the rocks to the north OF the gate,
and afar out over the eastward prairie
Big Road and his braves came dashing,
driving, laundering to the rescue.
They'll not try the gulch, sort,
shouted Rorke in his ear. "Only a few
will push in here. Most Of 'em will
come this way and get around us to our
right"
"Open out, meni Push out southwark
there as fast as you can!" shouted Will,
as he ran bounding through the snow
toward the right Of his invisible line.
Watch for them! They'll come with
rush when they come at all!'
And Rorke. whose business it was to
remain with his comrades in battle"
where first he was posted, near the brow
Of the steep, went running after his
young commander US hard as he could
go, with no man to stop him.
In the excitement and darkness, in
the thrill of the moment, some of the
men seemed disposed to huddle together
rather than to increase their intervals,
for plainly now could be heard dull
thunder Of notes.-the roar of the COM
ing storm. Then, too shadowy specters
of horsemen could be dimly seen dart
ing into partial view and out again, like
the fash that greeted them. But far up
the gorge, behind Farrar's line, the
sound Of battle grew fiercer and louder.
Then, down from the depths Of the can
yon, there came sudden clamor Of shot
and cheer and challenge and yolls OF
rage and defiance, and then all on a
sudden out from among the stunted
trees, with painting, struggling, bound
ing ponies, with lashing, bending, yell
ing braves, there burst upon them the
main body Of the Indians, threescore
warriors at least, and despite the ring
of shots on and through and over they
rushed the slim and extended skirmish
line, and Will Farrar. springing from
the shelter of little cedar, was struck
full in the breast by muscular shonl'
der and knocked backward into the
snow. He struggled to his feet, cropping
for his revolver, just in time to meet the
dash of half dozen racing braves, ali
yelling like fends. Something crashed
upon his skull and struck millior