Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-04-24
with a GOODNESS that brought down 6
brave with each bullet.


The old fellow never ainched, but sat
his horse, coolly drawing his pistols.
He picked off the first two, though
while doing so they slipped half a
dozen arrows into his carcass.
II saw his danger, and called for
help to rescue him, darting forward at
top speed, the, front guard of the
Blackfeet doing the same. But we
were too late to save Burns. He felt
that he had received his death blow
from the arrow that quivered deep in
his left breast, and charged upon the
third Blackfoot, uttering his wild war
cry, :Owgh-owgh.gh-h-h!" |"
"The Blackfoot gave him an arrow
that passed clear through his throat,
dropping to the ground behind him.
But old Bob made his coup in spite of
this. He grappled with the redskin
and plunged his knife into his heart,
both falling from the saddle together.
"By this time we were exchanging
compliments with the Blackfeet, but
seeing that poor Burns was wiped out,
we retreated, closely followed by the
redskins, who, however, were checked
by volley from our comrades.
ave held the mouth of the pass for
some time, until we could see that our
women had gained the willows, and
then, riding in compact body, we
followed upon their trail. AS we had
foreseen, no sooner were the Blackfeet
clear of the narrow valley than they
gave the word to their animals and
endeavored to surround US. Had we
grown excited or fustered then, we
must have been massacred, but we all
counted on the danger of that, and
knew that unless we kept our wits
about US this would be the ending of
our earthly trail.
"We road on steadily, keeping those
in our rear and those upon both sides
at a respectful distance, while watch
ing the braves sent ahead to cut off
our farther retreat. We had spared
our animals thus far, and they were in
splendid condition, just sufficiently
warmed up to do their level best at
word or touch.
"Nowr yelled Fitzpatrick, darting
forward.
"The Blackfeet had nearly compile
ted their 'surround,' when our leader
gave the signal we had been looking
for so long. 1t was beautiful-su-
perb charge
"Our rifles, though loaded, rested
across our thighs, while guiding our
animals with our knees, each hand
clasped a pistol. The redskins met
our rush boldly enough, no doubt be-
lieving they could stay US until their
friends could come up, when, pressed
upon from all sides, we must 20 under.
"Their first flight of arrows emptied
two saddles and wounded a dozen
more of our number. But before they
could let fly another, we were upon
them, and our pistols began to speak.
At such close quarters, even single
barreled pistols are awkard customers,
and the meat went wolfin.'
"We cut our way through the Black
feet, and then taking our rifles deliv-
cred a cool volley into those nearest US
with such good effect that they halted
in momentary dismay, falling back be-
yond range. And taking advantage
of this We put on steam and gained
the willows where our women and
pack animals were awaiting US.
"There isn't time to tell you all
about our fight at the willows, and
there it was the same from first to last,
almost a succession Of charges and
repulses, ruses and stratagems, by
which the Blackfeet sought to drive us
from cover; but we were smart enough
to see and hold our advantage. When
1 tell you that we fought them the rest
of that day and all night, you can fill
out the picture to suit YOURSELF.
"Matters began to look gloomy
enough the next day. Our ammuni-
ton was getting low, and now dozen
of our men had beer killed. 1t was
then that we cursed our haste in shoot
lug down the Blackfeet chiefs on Snake
river. Only lor this the redskins would
long since have given US over as by far
too high priced to suit their taste.
"'Horrah = suddenly cried out Filz
patrick, pointing over the tops of the
willows. 'Lublette, by Heaven =
ave saw three columns of black
smoke reaching high up toward the
heavens, and recognized the signal
agreed upon between US, by which a
junction was to be effected.
kirkpatrick called for volunteers to
carry a message to Lublette, and
though it would be almost certain
death, 20 men stepped forward. Out
of these two were chosen-Job Griffin
and Ned Wenemick. They mounted
the best animals in the camp, and
burst through the willows. The Black.
feet seemed to divine their object, aud
started after them. Griffin was butch
cred ere he had run half mile, but
Wenemick passed safely through, and
informed Lublette of our fix.
"Meantime the Blaekfeet had charg-
ed on desperately, hoping to overcome
us before aid arrived, but they were
foiled, though our loss was severe.
They fed in hot haste as Lublette and
his men came over, carrying with them
IL or tha,r laol