The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-03-04

tuc DlOChuOuSe- NOtuluS Save tuS VI
vid flashes of lightning and bowling
of the winds without could be seen or
heard, and the storm having spent its
fury the sentinel took his former sta
ton, while the Sergeant and myself
Withdrew to my quarters to discuss
the cause of the absence Of the hun
ters. The STORMY concluded, could
not have delayed them for they should
have returned before it came on. They
might. perhaps have taken a circuit
Gus route and stopped either at Bent's
or Maxwelrs. The latter conclusion
seemed to us the most plausible. and
in order to determine it definitely
decided to ride over to Ash creek at
once IF any ACCIDENT had befallen
them and Indians were skulking a
bout no attack would be made before
daybreak, and as it was yet an hour
10 midnight l knew l could return
long before that time.
The night was dark and starless, but
as | was well mounted and my horse
familiar with the trail l had no fears
Of getting lost. apd accomranied by
Roland set out [ reached my des-
tination without incident worthy of
note, but could learn nothing of my
hunters They had not been at Ash
creek, and although both Bent and
Maxwell ende avored to allay my fears
for their safety by assuring me that
they would return in the morning,yet
[ was not satisfied and could not dis
pei the gloomy foreboding which
clurg to me. like the inky blackness Of
the night with which l was enveloped.
Arousing myself at last 1 bade them
good night in as gay and CHEEKY a
tone as [ could assume, and with many
wishes for my safe return, mingled
with entreaties to remain until morn
ing, l rode off in the direction of
Pawnee Fork
SO absorbed was l in wondering
what could have become of my hun
tiers that l neglected to give Roland
notice of my departure, and he, o
doubt thinking that was going to
remain at the ranch all night. had
sought kennel and had settled him
self down for a good nights rest. My
horse evidently did not relish the re-
turn trip, and before [ had proceeded
one fourth tie distance l discovered
that he had left the trail, and in en-
dpavoring to find it became so COM
pletely bewildered that I aid not know
what direction to take in order to re
gain it. scanned the heavens in
every quarter, but not a star was vi
sible to relieve the lmpenetrable gloom
nothing but black, foggy clouds over
head and thick, witch-like darkness
all around me | dismounted and
groped around for the path, but with
out success. Two hours or more were
then, as last resort, determined to
remount, give my horse free reign,
and trust to his instinct to carry me
safely through. Some time elapsed
before he stepped off into that gait
which horse always assumes when
assured of his locality, and day was
just dawning when he brought me up
to the western boundry of Bent q Max
wells ranch. The moment l ascer-
tanned this fact | turned Off sharply to
the right and soon after reached the
trail. 1t was now light enough to
follow it, though the air was SO filled
with mist and fog as to make the trail
and all other objects few yards off
barely visible.
I was riding along at an easy gallop
when l was startled by sound as of
musketry firing in the direction of the
block house. [ checked my horse and
listened breathlessly in the hope that
it might be distant thunder, for | did
not like the idea of my men engaging
in a fight and l rot there to direct
them. A moments attention convinc
ed me that it was the report of FIRE
arms, and putting spurs to my horse
L was soon flying over the trail like
the wind
The clouds still lowered near the
earth, forming such a dense vapor as
to utterly obstruct the view of all OBJ
iects at a distance; the block house,
although but a mile off now and plain
ly visible from this point at other
times, was now completely hidden in
the bank of fog The demoniac yells
of the Utes could be heard mingling
with the rattle of arms and from the
volume of the former l was enabled to
approximate their strength. That
they outnumbered my little band
twenty to one l had no doubt, but if l
could succeed in reaching the block
house in safety l had no fears for the
result of the contest.
L had now reached the summit Of a
ridge which overlooked the valley OF
Pawnee Fork, and, pausing moment
for my horse to gather new strength,
preparatory to making the final dash,
l was chagrined at seeing the dank air
raising from the vicinity of the picket
post, but gratitied to see that the be
leagured block honse wit still unlnjur-
ed. The Indians had invested it on
three sides-the north, south and east.
On the west side | could not deter
mine their position, for the dense IN
dergrowth that lined the banks of the
Pawnee complet ely obscured their
movements on that side. The view
was but momentary, for the mist com
meneed gathering again and soon the
block house and all surrounding OBJ
jects We're hidden from my sight. Ia
king advantage Of the ouscurity,l rode
rapidly forward and, when near the
Indian line, drew my psstol. and
putting my horse to his utmost speed,
dashed through their Gordon amid a
shower of arrows aud reached the
block house in safety. The massive
door was quickly thrown open and /
rode in, saluted b. the hearty cheers
of my men, who had despaired of my
being able 10 regain then.
In few words the sergeant gave
me the particulars Of the attack. II
was about 4 O'Clock when he was ap-
prised by the sentinel in the tower OF
the proximity of the Indians. Hastily
but with the utmost carlton. the mer
were aroused and posted in position
/ to await the attack of the enemy The