Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-10-16
AND SATURDAY.
only the besieged Gun hold out that long.

One more glance ne taxes at the SUIT
ring picture before him, longing to
drive a shot at the nearest Indians, and
as he gazes there comes staggering, la
boring into sight from around point
of bluff beyond the beleaguered party
horse all foam and blood. who goes
plunging to earth only few yards away
from the ambulance and rolls stiffening
and quivering in his death agony, but
the gray haired old rider has leaped
safely to the ground, and his carbine
flashed its instant defiance at the yell
ing foe. Even at that distance there is
no mistaking the we'll known form.
Fred Waller's wondering eyes have rec
ognized at once-his father!
Now indeed he speeds away for help.
Now indeed has Jim to run for more
than life. Turning his back upon the
thrilling scene, the little trumpeter goes
like prairie gale, whirling back to the
valley Il the Platte.
The sun is sinking behind the bluffs,
and it's last rays fall on bullet riddled
ambulance; on the stifPening bodies Of
q half dozen slaug htered animals-a
horse and some mules; on a grim, de-
termined little band Of soldiers-two
Of them sorely wounded. The red shafts
CLEAN on litter Of empty cartridge
shells and tinge the canvas top of the
overturned wagon. Out on the rolling
prairie several hundred yards away the
turf is dotted here and there by Indian
ponies, the innocent victims Of this
savage warfare. Such Indian braves as
have fallen have long since been picked
up by their raging comrades and borne
away. Despite their numbers never
once yet have the savages managed to
reach the defenders. Time and again
they have swooped down in charge only
to be met by cool, we'll aimed shots that
tumbied some Of their numbers to the
turf and sent the others veering and
yelling into the old familiar circle. At
last they are trying the expedient of
long range shots from different points
Of the compass, hoping to kill or Grip
pie the whole party by sundown. The
bullets clip the turf and scatter the dust
all over the ridge. There is practically
no shelter, for the ground is too hard
to dig. Old Sergeant Waller is PROSTATE
with bullet through the thigh. Colo
mel Gaines has bound his handkerchief
tightly around his arm. The driver lies
fiat on his face-dead. Every now and
then the others turn longing eyes south
ward, hoping for some sign Of infantry
coming from the post, so many mile
away. They know we'll that Edwards
will have levied on every wagon in Sid
ney to bring them, but not Whit of dust
cloud do they see. One Of the soldiers
gives low moan and clasps his hands
to his side, and Cross mutters between
his set teeth, "Five minutes more of
this will settle it,"
But what means this sudden scurry
and excitement among the besiegers?
Why do they crowd and clamor there at
the north? What can they see over that
ridge beyond the little stream? Present
ly others join them, then more and
more. Then there are whoops Of rage and
few i'll aimed, scattering shots. Three
or four Of the red men ride daringly,
tauntingly down, as though to resume
the attack, and shout vile epithets in
vilest English in response to the shots
with which they are greeted, and then
they, too, go riding away. "Lie down,
you idiots!" yells Captain Gross to the
two soldiers who would spring up to
cheer, but moment more and even the
wounded wave their feeble hands and
Join in the triumphant shout. The ridge
is cleared of every vestige of the foe.
The warriors 60 speeding away east
ward toward the Platte. Far out over
the prairie, to the northeast, troop OF
blue horsemen is driving in pursuit,
and over the neighboring crest come
half dozen friendly forms and faces,
spurriug their foam fecked horses in the
race.
"Look up, sergeant! Look up, old
man! Here's Fred himself. Didn't tell
YOU be was no descrter?" 1t was Gross
voice, and it is Cross strong arm that
lifts the wondering. trembling veteran
to his feet. The young fellow has leaped
from his horse and is spriuging toward
them. With wondrous look of relief, of
inexpressible joy, of gratitude beyond
all words, of almost heaven born rap
ture mingling with the sunshine in his
old face, the sergeant stretches forth his
trembling arms and cries aloud: my
boyi My boyr'
ToBE CONTINUED.