The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-31

bridge. Two troopers were sent up the
road a quarter Of a mile to act as
videttes, two more down the road to
see IL the Indians had reached 1t on
that side, and as the lieutenant recov-
cred consciousness again the sergeant
saluted and said:
I'VE 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 us. No fear |
about our standing 'em off, however.
Now, boys, easy with him." i
The horses were saddled and driv- |
en- down into the bed of the Run to |
take care Of themselves. All the can
teens, coffee pots and kettles we're 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 a bed for the wound
ed officers. and loose rocks were piled
between the powders to make the po-
sotion impregnabe When the SER
geant reported to his officer what he
had done the latter replied:
Very well. You have done just the
right thing. I am better now, and I'll
try to help you out with advice II the
Indians attack see that Miss Phelps Is
well sheltered. If the reds are above
and below we 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 1t
for week. II the lady will look after
you we'll take care Of the numbering
redskins. O..
The officer felt his position keenly,
but ii 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 use
less After her rally the girl had
taken hold in a way to prove that she
| had plenty of pluck and she now an
nounced her readiness to take charge
of the helpless man. Do you look for
love and romance here? If so l must
disappoint you. Miss Phelps was al
ready engaged to young man in her
home city, and Lieutenant Day had
passed into confirmed bachelorhood.
Her heart was big with gratitude, how
ever for his gallantry and courage, and
on his part he had that chivalrous rev.
erence and admiration for the sex al
ways to be found in the army officer,
but always showing the stronger at the
| posts farthest from civilization.
"If you had not covered my retreat
you would not have received those bull
lets!" she reproachfully said, as she
| wet the bandages over his wounds.
"They are mere scratches and won't
bother me a month";" he stoutly replied.
my only regret is that l can't sit up
and take q hand in. You must act as
my aide as well as nurse. How are the
men posted?"
ION the three sides of the square"
she replied.
IT do not want to call the sergeant
| away Go down to him and ask IL there
are any signs of the Indians yet. They
may cross the road without attacking
u.s."
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 a rush within ten min
utes. He has counted as high as 30,
but believes the party is much larger
The Indians did not wait ten minutes.
They had left men to hold the read
| 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 80 in the rush
| against the two sides of the camp most
open to attack-15 to a side. At a sig
nal whoop they came tearing up the
slope, covered with trees, shrubs and
powders, and never did red men dis
play more pluck and determination.
The soldiers opened fire as soon as a
stormer could be sighted, and with her
face as white as the clouds above and
her heart in her mouth, Miss Phelps
reported to the grcaning officer:
1.-The men are down on their knees
and firing over the rocks. They do not
seem at all excited. There-I see an In
dian on the north side-I see two others
down there! How they shrek and yell!
One has leaped the rocks! There comes
another but the sergeant"
"And / lying here helpless!" shout
ed the officer. Is the sergeant down?
For Gods sake, tell me what Is happen
ing!"
mo! The sergeant shot one and
bra,ned the other with his dubbed
musket! The men are cheering-the
Indians have been beaten OFF,!
Three minutes later the sergeant
came up to salute and report.
1--WE drove them back, sir, and l
think we killed seven or eight, but I've
lost two men killed and third badly
wounded"
well done, sergeant" replied the Of
ficer when he could control his voice.
I'm sorry for the loss, but perhaps the
Indians will stay lkked."
I'm afraid they won't, sir. / never
saw such devils. I must get back to
the men and look out for another dash.
If they come as they did before We'll
have a hard job Of II"
"Is he afraid the Indians will over
power him?" asked the girl when the
sergeant was gone.
Yes, If they rush him again. There
are only five men now"
And If we are captured?"
1--WE won't bel" quietly replied the
officer. Put my revolver here at my
left hand, and do you sit down here! II
the Indians carry the camp l shall
shoot you and then put a bullet into my
own head!"
"Yes-yes-that will be the wayr'
she said as she handed him the weapon
and sat down at his elbow. There they
come again! Yes, you will shoot me
first!"
"Are the men cool?" asked the officer
as the carbines began to speak.
"Yes-same as before. There comes
the Indians! can see one-two-three
God have mercy on us!"
Are they inside?"
"Yes-yes-shoot mel"
BE quiet What's the sergeant do
ing?"