The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1897-09-18

now ne aUsWeIeu bTasoty.
That's right, Teddy; six it is. l
forgot to count myself"
The day dragged itself away more
drearily and lengthily than days usu-
ally did in the CHEEKY little stockade.
One afternoon as Teddy peered along
the horizon line with the big, old fash
toned telescope which was kept there
for the purpose he gave a cry of delight
and called down to the yard, where
Sergeant Schneider was cleaning the
one brass howitzer the post possessed.
Here they comet" he screamed.
The captains wife and Schneider and
four veterans came up to the lockout to
see for themselves, the captains wife
with q tripping run, screening, "Oh,
where, TeGdy?" but the sergeant with
dignity and the four old boys with
wheezes and grunts in four inharmoni-
Gus keys.
There they are" cried Teddy. point
ing to a dusty cloud on the outermost
rim of the plain.
Twas: Was? Was? Sol Too much
dust. Tedchenl Der captain he will not
kdilUpLIK uOLu6 come!
Very quickly the matter was explain
ed. 1t was not the hunters at all, but
something even more exciting. As the
cloud came nearer the garrison could
distinguish IN solitary white horse
man approaching at a speed which was
more than q gallop.
Behind him at some distance, but
closing in on the fugitive, was a band
of Indians, not in wal GESTURE, but il
the seminaked dress of the hunt.
Schneider ran quickly down, opened the
gate and closed it with the heavy bars
as soon as the breathless fugitive was
inside. The man dropped from his sad
die, exhausted.
'Meln vreBt," said the sergeant,
looking at him severely through frown-
ing eyebrows, twas has you pin do
ing?'
pursrers We're at the gate, shouting
aloud for their prey to come out.
Schneider listened to their cries atten-
lively.
Il will myself NIT dem speak," said
Schneider. He went to the wicket be-
side the big gate and let himself quick
~ out. Then the babel outside ceased,
and for a time there was evidently a
grave palaver outside the fort.
In ten mlnutes the sergeant reappear-
ed and found the captains wife and
Teddy and the four veterans awaiting
him anxiously. Schneider paid no at
tention to them, but stepped sternly to
the stranger.
did you steal Little Mans war
pony?"
WE'LL" said the man, with a calm
grin, tits not a polite way of putting
it, but | guess it's So"
"Did you kill Little Mar when he
accused you-so?"
Il guess it's So"
Because it was that you are white
you think you can do these things, ehi
You bring dose mad Injuns to fight nit
US to save your dirty skin. you horse
thief! Suppose I turn you to them over!
Serve You right, eh?"
The man rose calmly to his feet and
took a leisurely step to the barred
wicket.
IF you say So" he said.
NO" said the sergeant ~savagely,
Il will not give you to be massacred,
but You are a prisoner, recollect, and
shall be decently hanged after the rules
and regulations have been attended to
III a proper and soldierly manner"
With cool deliberation he proceeded
to make his little garrison as effective
as possible. placed his men at the loop
holes, had the howitzer drawn to the
gate and told Teddy to run in and stay
with the women in the captains house.
But Teddy would not do any such
thing.
II can't ride and I can't rum" he
said, "but I can shoot through a loop
hole"
Then Schneider, trusting to his
knowledge Of the Indians language and
to the respect they had for his uniform,
went out again among the band and
argued with them.
The shrewd chief had already guessed
by the sergeant's solitary appearance
that the captain was absent. He began
to put on great airs. He dismissed the
sergeant contemptuously as all unaer-
ling and ordered him to give rp the
horse thief and murderer, or he-tho
Ogalalla-would take him by force.
Schneider was III a dilemma, Int ho
was obstinate as a bulldog, and he Kew
1t was his duty to hold the refua@s. lie
promptly refused to give up the stra..etr
Now, i'll any large company cf men.
be they red, white or black, :hc1e is
always a fool, and among the Indians
there was a young brave who Thought