The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-12-29

were now imbued with the warning OF
their medicine men and expected
nothing less than some sudden act oi
hostility on the soldiers part. If there
ever was time In Big Roads history
when q clear head and cool brain were
needed, 1t was now, just when he had
succeeded in getting drunk, and well
had the cowboys reasoned. While some
Of the number lured the chief to the
banks Of the Platte and piled him with
lies and whisky, others were scurryine
up and down the valley, routing out the
ranchmen, settlers and "hustlers" and
warning them to be in readiness to
gather at the given signal, for there
was no telling what would be the frs,
consequences Of their diplomacy. II Big
Road simply broke camp and started
with his whole village in the dead OF
night in hopes Of leading the soldiers q
stern chase to the Big Horn, they could
stumble In his way, impede his flight
and bring Oh row in which, with vast
ly superior numbers, they could at least
rob the red men Of their pony hero.
That would be part satisfaction for the
death Of Laramie Pete. Then, when the
soldiers came up, they could sail in aft
or them and claim such spoil as was
worth having and all the credit Of hav-
ing brought tho chief to bay. II, on the
other hand, Big Road became SO crazed
with their firewater as to 40 down and
beard the lion in his den and defy the
cavalry at the fort, then there might
be pretty scrimmago right over OH the
flats when the colonel ordered the
chiefs arrest, aud when the soldiers
were tackling the warriors in tho open
and having nip and tuck fight of it
the fontiersmcn could surround the vii.
lage and help themselves. There would
be only old men and women and children
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 tho colo
nel's message, and, motioning to his
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 els he mad
enough to mean fght?''
"Be is, if he doesn't get any drunk
er," was the answer. "More whisky
would bo tho 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.
nerp'
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 their
arms within the fort, Captain Farwell's
troop moved slowly up the dark valley.
along the snow 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 q whisper could be heard from
! tho direction Of the village, not spark
Of fire could be seen. Over against them
on the northern shore were sounds al
times as Of rapid hoof beats muffled by
the snow. Half milo out horsoman
loomed up at the front and in moment
was merged in tho advancing line.
"What is it, sergeant? What news
have your" asked the young platoon
commander
"They're off, siri A whole gang of
old folks and women on ponies and
travois has started across the Platte.
The warriors are all thero 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 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, 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 caro-
Of themselves, though
And then for moment the forward
movement ceased. "Halt, haiti" 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 -ith excitement and cold
combined, began to slap their fur gloved
hands on breast or thigh and had to be
sternly called to order. Presently n
muffied horBeman came riding up from
the rear, trumpeter in his tracks.
"That's right, Martin. You did we'll
to halt minute. I've sent back word
to Colonel Fenton. He had wirod 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. Tho 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 shindy
with the Sioux2"
eyes, but poor Jack is out Of the
dance this time and can { Lo with us
as he was before.
81 don't understand" said Martin,
having some vague theory that the i'll
ness Of Miss Farrar was at the bottom
Of Ormsby's inability to take part in
the promised chase. II didn't suppose