The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-10-28

stream few rods and crossed ON log,
but the shots we heard had not been fired
at the cub. A band OF 80 or more rene
gades who were hiding In the foothills
had discovered the picnickers half an hour
before and were planning wipe out of ev-
cry soul when the officers moved. They
played right into the hands of the red men.
In their chase after the cub they left tho
falls half a mile behind, and as they came
slowly back they found the Indians con-
fronting them. There was but one course
to make dash for it-and IL was gal
lantly done. The Indians were too strong
and too well posted, however. A lieuten-
ant was dropped dead In his trasshs and
major and captain wounded. That would
have left but two men against 20 but for
our presence.
The first move on our part, seeing that
the women and children were safe, was TO
secure cover behind the bowlders and open
fire on the Indians. They had counted on
a sure thing, and their yells Of rage when
they knew of our presence were loud and
long. We had them between two fires,
and yet so well were they sheltered that
we could not get sight of a head. The red
skins knew that we had no means Of know
ing that they had only two unwounded
| men In front Of them armed with revolv-
ers The women told us about the officers
| going away in body, but although there
had been severe firing we hoped none Of
| them had been hit.
After we had fired three or four rounds
| apiece the sergeant called out TO know how
1t was with the officers. The major an
swercd, giving the names of the killed and
wounded. Three of the five were behind
the same bowlder and could use their re-
volvers. 1t was curious position in
which the three parties were placed, but
as the Indians were in such strong force
| they could defend their front and rear at
| the same time. IL we left cover TO cross
! the creek, we would be exposed TO certain
| death. III they left cover TO attack the
| camp, we had only TO shoot them down.
| What we feared was that they would get
| out OF the trap by dashing upon the ofll-
| GERS in front, or work 10 the left, and
| finally take them In the rear. The women
and children could have been assisted
| down the gorge and sent off mt once, but
| no one thought OF retreat until tho order
came from the major Three-quarters Of
an hour after our arrival he hailed us to
say that Captain johnson, wounded by
the first volley, was dead. Lieutenant
Blaine, wounded at the same time, was
now helpless, and the Indians were work
ing to their rear on both fianks The two
unwounded men must fall back, carrying
the lieutenant. with them, and hope to
reach a more secure spot. The sergeant
was ordered TO send messenger to the
fort and at the same time yet the women
and children 70 the ambulance and off. The
escort was TO see them TO the fort, and the
colonel would order out a company To re-
turn.
A messenger was hurried of, and while
three men remained at the falls, the other
three helped the women and children down
and soon had them loaded up. Then two
of the throo men left at the falls appeared.
Sergeant Larkins had remained behind to
hold the bridge. The sharp eyed Indians
would get on to tho retreat in front and
rear and they would no sooner become
aware OF the movement from the falls
than they would follow on. Both of the
other two had offered TO remain, but the
sergeant had ordered them on. The am
bulance had scarcely turned wheel before
we heard the report of his carbine and
realized that the Indians were seeking To
force the crossing. We counted q second
and third shot and then started off, every
woman and child weeping and wailing.
At any moment we might run upon more
Indians, and it was not until we met a
company OF troopers within q mile of the
fort that we felt safe. They halted for
few seconds TO ask for particulars, and
then tore ahead, and IL was midnight be-
fore we knew the result of their ride As
they reached the valley where we of the
I escort had Gismounted, they heard occa-
sional shots from up the gorge. Most Of
them were tho reports OF winchesters, but
now and then they caught the heavier
sounds Of an army carbine.
Sergeant Larkin was still holding the
bridge, still Waiting and hoping. Fifty
disn!oun,cd ;ncn rushed up the gorge yell
ing and cheering as they went. and four
or Ave Indians rose up from behind as
many bowldcrs ard took to flight. Two
of them were brought down as they ran.
The Others escaped Tho sergeant had
scarcely been left alone when the Indians
attempted 10 cross by the Log He shot
two of thc:a. and then a dozen or more Of
them worked up stream 10 another cross
ing and came crawling down on his side.
He soon discovered what they were at, brt
he would not retreat They said he could
have passed down the gorge 20 the valley
anu hidden away and saved his life, but he
probably held his place under the iden that
he was giving the retrcating officers
chance for thcir lives Foot by foot the
Indians had crept upon him, and rs the
chccrs Of the rpscucrs werc heard he re-
cciyod the fatal bullet He could speaS
when they Tilted his head.
They arc over that way, he replied as
they nskcd about the majors party
Two minutes later, rs his own captain
bent over him and spoke words Of sym
pa;hy and wiz cd the floody foam from his
lips, the SC-gvant asked
Did they reach the fort safcly?"
"Ecs
81 wcs afraid they would be wiped out
unless | held the crossing She-shc new
or spoke ~ mo once, ana yet IL did it for
her saec--fur her sake
For whose sakcy' asked the captain
But the sergeant was dead
They found tie MA .or and his two COM
radcs posted in tive woods a mile away
waiting for rwVu.. bJl ready tO fight TO
tho last. white iac Gv.Ul ui.iccrs had been
spared the mutiLtlICa usuaiiy in.nttCd by