The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-07

"Thcy kill the colonel He no gor"
veyed the news to Fenton, and. in two
minutes al officer, with q dozen men,
trotted out ;?coiu Tic pGables Of Troop
K and 400 yards beyond the sentry
posts signaled to the advancing war
riors, "Haltl''
There we're ten in the party and Big
Road was not among them. The off,
GERS, returning from stables and retreat
roll oall, had gathered about the colo
mel on the westward bluff and fleldglass-
es were brought TO bear on the oppoaing
parties, now only dimly visible in the
lgloaming Over at the barracks the
mon were still gathered about their re-
spective parades, despite the fact that
supper was ready and they as ready for
supper. All over the garrison had gone
the rumor Of Big Road g hostile and de-
flant message, and the troops were
wrathful at the indignity put upon
their colonel. Some Of them had STEP
ped inside, the quarters and were quiet
~ examining their belts and equip
ments and counting the cartridges In
their boxes. Ormsby, sharing the sup
pressed excitement, had hastened out to
join his friends of the Twelfth, his
nerves tingling again at the thought Of
the possibility of skirmish, and now he
stood with Fenton close at hand, wait
ing eagerly for tho first developments.
But little timo was wasted. There
was brief parloy between the lieuten-
ant with the troopers and formidable
looking Indian who seemed to lead the
Hff
man galloping back to tho post. In
four minutes he was in the colonel's
presence, dismounted and making his
report.
"Big Roads compliments-I mean;
the lieutenant's compliments, sir--and
Big Road sends his delegation for three
wagon loads Of meat, flour, sugar and
coffee, Sir, and says as the colonel hasn't
come to SEQ him hos going to move"
The colonel laughed--the first laugh
sinoe Christmas, somebody remarked at
tho time. care you sure there's no mis-
take, Fallon?" he asked the messenger.
"Thats what the lieutenant asked
the Indians, sir, but wo have two of
IL troop with us-what's left Of 'em
ono Brule and t'othcr Ogalalla, and
Bat Is with us, too, sir and he says it's
Ike Big Road when he gets liquor In
him. He thinks he's lord Of the earth.
Bat says he's drunk now, and believes
the colonel will bo glad to do as he de-
mands for fear Of him."
"Well, who brought the message2
Who's that big buck in tho lead therc2"
"Thats Ono Eyed Bull, sir.--him
that was nursed in the hospital here
after tho fight three years ago."
"Bullf He ought to know better than
to bring my such message" said Fen
ton rc1cotively. II presume he dare
not refuse, however. Mr.. Adjutant,
mount Fallon's horse, gallop out there
and tell Bull to tell Big Road to go to
tho devil. That's all on that head Gap.
tain Farwell, A. soon as your men have
had supper let them saddle and be ready
for night work. Orderly, have my horse
sent up in half IAN hour. That's all for
the present, gentlemen. Come, jack
Louis waiting dinner for rs. "
1t was tho first time that any ono had
seen Fcnton mad, as Amory put 1t,
when the group broke up. "Eith"r Big
Road will como down Off that high
horse or tho old man will snatch him,
and within tho next fow hours too.
Ormsby brings us luck. He never comes
out hero that we don't have shindy Of
some kind"
Moro than ono officer was thinking Of
this remark Of Amory's 8 as they scattered
TO their homes. Many a dinner was kept
waiting and many housewife had to
be plaoated when tho lord and master