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


again. II they do, we'll fall back here
and-and--"
And die together, he meant, though
he did not utter the words. The officer
understood and smiled grimly; the girl
understood, and in her heart she felt
more admiration for the weather beat
en- old sergeant than for any other man
living
The Indians did not rush again. They
had lost thirteen in killed and five
or six wounded, and they did not
know how great a loss they had in
fllcted on the defenders. Their raid in
to Little Valley must be given up,
and they would sneak back to the re-
servation and become good Indians"
again. Before going, however. they
wanted revenge for their dead and
wounded. Scattering about, and two
or three of them climbing trees to get
plunging fire. they began a de-
sultory fusilade, and at the end OF
quarter Of an hour Private Barnes was
shot through the head. Miss Phelps
was reporting the tragedy to the lieu
tenant when Sergeant Yates came up
and saluted and announced.
Barnes Is gone, sir; but I'll do the
about to give up the fight, but the lady
must lie close or some sharpshooter
will pick her off. Please keep down,
miss. Any orders, lieutenant?"
None sergeant. The news of this
| party getting away from the reserva-
tion must have been telegraphed the
fort, and no doubt troops have been
sent out. We ought to be hearing
| from some of them soon." '|.
That's it, sir, and I'll go back to the
/ big powders and try and pot the red
| devils in the big tree"
After that the fire of the Indians
slackened to an occasional shot, and
the wounded officer read the sign
Alright. The discounted redskins were
making ready to retire. Scarcely ten
minutes had gone by when the re-
ports of carbines were heard to the
east, followed by cheers, and as the
sergeant cheered and Miss Phelps clap
ped her hands, the lieutenant ex-
claimed:
Thank God for that! It is detach-
ment from the fort. looking after us
and the sergeant's party, and we are
saved! Listen to the hoof-beats of the
horses!' ae
"Hooray! Hooray! It's our boys
coming!" shouted the sergeant, as he
swung his cap and danced about
There was just one more report from
a rifle, but neither the girl nor the Of
ficer gave it any attention. They were
looking for the rescuers, and as the
troopers came in sight on the road
below, Miss Phelps climbed over the
rocks and called to them. A captain
was in command, and as he scram-
bled up the hill. followed by dozen
dismounted men, he reached out for
the hand of the hysterical girl and
shouted
THANK God we have found you aliveI
Where Is the lieutenant%
She pointed to the helpless man on
the bed of boughs, but could not utter
a word.
"Eh. old man, did they pot your
asked the captain, as he bent over his
comrade.
p "Yes, got me pretty bad. 1t was a
hot little fight, but 1 was not in it.
The sergeant, God bless him, deserves
all the credit. You came just in time.
He told me a moment ago that all his
men had been wiped out"
God forbid! Where is Yates7"
down that way"
yes, L see MIN kneeHng DeSlue tne
big rock. Oh, sergeant"
The sergeant did not move nor an
swer. The captain walked down to him
and clapped him on the shoulder and
said
'Eh, sergeant! Get up here and let's
shake hands over this. Day has been
telling me how cool and brave"
The kneeling man suddenly toppled
. over sideways. and then the captain
saw that he had been talking to a dead
man! The last bullet fired by an In
dian had struck him fair in the FORE
head 1t was what the army folks call
the wipe-out at Devils Run"
THE END.