Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1897-01-12
A NIGHT ATTACK.
BY GEoRGn w. Fox.

yelled, cracked their whips and made
all the noise possible as the heavily
laden wagon moved slowly out OF
the creek up the hill. Keep EN- at
It'll" yelled Jack, one of the guides.
Don't let 'em stopW And the
whips cracked and the men yelled
louder than ever
"Whoopel whoopel" yelled Fearon,
as the wagon stopped on the bank.
We were returning from a three
months trading and trapping trip
among the Kiowa and Comanche In
dams, at the head of the Washita
river Our party counted six-Jack
Sargent, Luther Fearon, Dan Cor
nell, Harry Heating, Charley Cleve-
land and myself, Tosa Cinema, as l
was known among the Indians.
We had three six mule teams,
heavily loaded with robes and furs
of all kinds, besides our trapping
material and plenty of ammunition.
We had been successful all winter,
and the wagons were packed tight.
We were crossing Rainy mountain
creek, deep stream with very steep
banks. Two of the wagons crossed
all right, but the third and last one
stuck, compelling us to put II mules
on to pull it out.
We were anxious to cross the
creek and make camp in a little
grove five miles ahead before dark,
as the Indians had bothered us all
day.
The grove was a good place to
beat off an attack, and you may be
sure it did not take long for US to
straighten out the teams across the
prairie.
We made the grove, corraled the
wagons and put everything in good
shape by dark. We couldn't make
fire, and consequently some dried
buffalo meat and hard bread, with a
cup Of water, had to do for supper
About midnight the mules COM
menced to snort and jump around as
though badly scared at something.
Jack and myself moved out among
them cautiously but could see no
cause for their fright, although we
felt positive the Indians were
around, trying to stampede them.
Alter seeing that the mules were
all right, we laid our plans for the
night Jack, being the oldest scout
and trapper, was looked to as leader
So, according to his arrangement,
Luther, Jack and myself took the
watch, and the rest lay down to
take sleep for couple of hours,
and then we were to turn in and
they take the watch. Everything
arranged, we crawled outside the
wagons and lay down about an equal
distance apart, so as to see all
around the camp
Nothing occurred until near morn
ing, when l heard Luther calling in
q low tone to come over to him,
which did, and we were soon
joined by Jack.
Keep quiet" Luther cautioned.
There's two or three reds in back
Of that big cottonwood. Well see
what their game is. 4"
In short time we could see three
figures crouch down and commence
working their way towards us.
Keep cool" said Jack. Don't
fire until I give the word. After
you fire, get back to the wagons" >
On they came, crawling stealthily
toward us, apparently totally I'M
conscious that we were lying so
close waiting for the word to put
an ounce of lead into them.
Nov let 'em have it'll" whispered
Jack.
He had scarcely spoken when the
three rifles cracked out, and two of
the reds never got up. The other
fellow jumped and ran into the tim
Der. and we crawled back to the
wagon.
The boys were up and ready, and
it sounded as though the Indians
were ready, too, by the way they
yelled. And SO they were; for in a
few seconds, the arrows commenced
to fly around, some striking the
mules and some flying harmlessly
over our heads.
Day was just breaking, when the
Indians made dash towards us.
keep cool and fire straight
cried Jack, as we opened on them.
The fight had commenced IN
eurnest. and they we're determined