Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-02-18

out OF camp with Ine OF tWt
men killed. We were ling back
in the direction Of y r's cabin
when we we're joined : larry. Ir
q rocky path, crouche Town be.
hind boulders and beiII Ired upon
every moment by thirt nlians in
our front, the girl toll Der story
aud assumed the conn n in place
of the poor sergeant lJis dead.
Indians to the numb tf dozen
had made sudden rus BON the
cabin just at rundown. 4 f5rtu-
nateIy she caught sieht them Ia
time to close the docv ben be-
gan . fight which lasted for two
hours, daring which she had killed
two and wounded another of their
number. The redskins had at
length drawn off, and the brave
girls first thought was of the sol
diers on the mountain side. She
hoped we had heard the firing and
would come down to investigate,
but as midnight came without us
she left her shelter and headed for
our camp, knowing at any step she
might run into prowling Indian,
but yet determined to warn and
save Us.
We were soldiers and by no
means novices in Indian warfare,
and yet none of Us grumbled when
she assumed the leadership and
passed the word to slowly fall back
on the cabin. The Indians pressed
us every foot of the way, and but
for the darkness of the night and
the girls familiarity with the lay
Of the ground, not one of us would
have escaped. We were no sooner
sheltered by the cabin than it was
clear that we must stand siege be-
fore the door could be opened
again.
Bakers cabin, as l have told you
was pretty substantial affair, it's
walls being of rock and its roof of
dirt. Here and there were loop
holes and the door was heavy
enough to stop bullet. In leay-
ing the fort we had been provided
with 100 rounds of ammunition
per man. In our retreat from
camp the four of us had brought
off our carbines and cartridges.
The girl was armed with rifle, for
which she had bountiful supply
Of ammunition, and when we came
to take stock we knew that we
could hold out for a week, SO far
as having the means of defence. 1t
was the question of food and water
which made everyone look serious.
There wasn't food enough to give
the five of us square meal and
not a drop of water inside the
walls. The spring from which it
was obtained, as wanted, was 200
feet away, and it would be running
the gauntlet of death to attempt to
reach it.
well, said Joe Bakers gal, ,
when we had canvassed our situa-
tion and its chances, we must put
up with things as they are and do
our best. The Indians have encir-
cled the cabin and will be on the
watch the rest of the night, but
they will make no move until day
light comes. Let rs sleep il we
csn.'
She went to her room and the
four Of us lay on the floor and
mapped until daylight came. The
Indisns counted on rs as q sure
prize and only needed to be vigi-
liant, while night lasted to see that
we did not escape. There was but
little firing during the last of the
night. and none at all during the
first hour of daylight. From the
loopholes we saw the Indians NOV
ing about, however, and it was
clear that they were all around us
and in strong force.
In the larder they were about five
pounds OF flour and two or three
pounds of bacon-nothing else.
The outbreak might or might not
be known at the fort. Even if il
was the colonel would hesitate be.
fore weakening his slender garrison
to send a column to our relief. lie
would rather expect us to fight on,
way through or dodge about and
come in singly as fugitives. There
was no telling how long we should
be cooped mp to live on those scant
rations, and by common consent
we went without breakfast.
The Indians cooked their morn