The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1897-01-28
(CoNTINUED.)

and in far more civil tone and terms
than it was consigned to him. then had
waited in dignifed silence, confronting
the somewhat f1ippant bluecoats from
the fort, refusing to make any response
to the POPULARITY and ridicule in which
some of their number INDUCED or to
enter into any discussion with Bat or
the two Indian soldiers as to the prob
able inspiration Of Big Roads bombast
Well enough he realized when the adju-
tant arrived upon the scene that the
''bluff'' had totally failed, and before
word was spoken read contemptuous re-
fusal in the young officers face. They
were indeed cold and hungry over in
the village, and he himself and the war
riors with him would have been glad of
q feast on army rations.
Nor were the warriors at all satisfied
with the Judgment and discretion OF
their chief, but one and all the Indians
were now imbued with the warning OF
their medicine men and expected
nothing less than some sudden act OF
hostility on the soldiers part. If there
ever was time in Big Roads history
when clear head and cool brain were
needed, it was now, just when he had
succeeded in getting drunk, and we'll
had the cowboys reasoned. While some
of the number lured the chief to the
banks Of the Platte and piled him with
lies and whisky, others were scurrying
up and down the valley, routing out the
ranchmen, settlers and "hustlers" and
warning them to be in readiness to
gather at the given signal, for there
was no telling what would be the first
consequence Of their diplomacy. II Big
Road simply broke camp and started
with his whole village in the dead Of
night in hopes Of leading the soldiers a
stern chase to the Big Horn, they could
stumble in his way, impede his fight
and bring on a row in which, with vast
~ superior numbers, they could at least
rob the red men Of their pony herd.
That would be part satisfaction for the
death Of Laramie Pete. Then, when the
soldiers came up, they could sail in aft
er them and claim such spoil as was
worth having and all the credit Of hav-
ing brought the chief to bay. If, on the
other hand, Big Road became SO crazed
with their tirewater as to go down and
beard the lion in his den and defy the
cavalry at the fort, then there might
be a pretty scrimmage right over on the
flats when the colonel ordered the
chiefs arrest, and when the soldiers
were tackling the warriors in the open
and having nip and tuck fight of it
the frontiersmen could surround the vii
lage and help themselves. There would
be only old men and women and children
to defend it. There was gloom, there
fore, in Bulls sole remaining optic as
he received in majestic silence the adju
tant's indignant rendering of the colo
nel's message, and, motioning to his
b1anketed braves to follow, he turned
about and rode away.
"What do you think they'll do?" was
the eager question asked the adjutant
on his return to the post. els he mad
enough to mean fght?"
"Be is, if he doesn't get any drunk
en-" was the answer. 'sMore whisky
would be the surest way of settling the
question now, but it would rob us of
the pleasure of knocking him out-and
be id to him for spelling my din
nerv'
At 8 O'Clock that night, with one
platoon in dispersed order we'll to the
front and others in reserve, while the
garrison of Fort Frayne stood by their
arms within the fort, Captain Farwell's
troop moved slowly up the dark valley,
along the snow covered flats, out beyond
the point where the delegation was met
at dusk and held at bay, and, though
the stars were glinting in the frosty sky
and not breath Of air was stirring
and the night was still as solitude it.
self, not whisper could be heard from
the direction of the village, not spark
Of fire could be seen. Over against them
on the northern shore were sounds at
times as Of rapid hoof beats muffled by
the snow. Half mile out horseman
loomed up at the front and in moment
was merged in the advancing line
"What is it, sergeant? What news
have you?'' asked the young platoon
commander.
They're off, sir! A whole gang Of
old folks and women on ponies and
travels has started across the Platte.
The warriors are all there yet. You'll
hear Big Road shouting in a minute.
He's fighting full and is urging on some
deviltry. can't make out what, but
from all we can understand of it he
wants to lead a rush through the stables
to capture or kill the horses. He's just
drunk enough to try, but the others
won't let him. They declare they won t
follow him. They know too much.
What they want to do is to get out and
reach Trooper creek tonight, I reckon. -
s'Ride back, then, and let the captain
know. Who else are out at the front on
watch?''
"Only Rorke and two or three of the
Indian troop, sir. They are taking care
Of themselves, though
And then for moment the forward
movement ceased. Halt, haltp' were
the low toned orders Of the noncommis-
stoned officers dispersed along the line,
and under the twinkling stars, dim,