Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1898-11-25
ST. JosEPH. Ia, FRIDAY, NoVEMBER rs, 1898

II
with, sinking heart, acknowledgedhe
didn't know where he was. >es Il
At last he, reached higher bluff
than any before, and from it he could
see a succession of lower bluffs, and
then again high one behind. he sat
on his horse for some time and then
rode toward the other, big bluff, and
so high. it was he could not see its
summit even from the hollows, with
the other bluffs between. He rode
along, slowly now, fer his horse was
not so fresh, and was in one OF the
hollows, when suddenly far in front OF
him there came to his ears q strange
sound-the long, ringing notes OF
cavalry bugle. Ned stood In his Sur
rups to stare about, plunged all at
once into o high state of excitement.
But his horse; never had that patient
and docile animal behaved, in so ex-
traordiaary way before. 1t pricked
up It's ears and threw its head back
and plunged. Again, across the plains,
sounded the blood burning bugle, and
all at once over the further bluff, came |
running men and the sun shone enthe |
weapons in their hands. The bugle
sounded yet again, and one OF the men
waved q sword, and so clear was his
voice when he spoke the words that
Ned distinctly heard them;nl -
Commence hring!" ,. II
Then there was a noisy cracking OF
many carbines, and the men running
forward, stopped every now and then to
kneel and FIRE again. But Ned knew
| little more; II was all he could do to
hold onto his horse, who, with one
prolonged neigh, had taken the bit in
| his teeth, and was charging, apparent
lly, with the most Joyous feelings to-
ward the enticing bugle. Up one bluff
and into the hollow, and up another
the unwilling boy was carried directly
toward those dangerous puffs ofiwhite
smoke, the turkeys Topping by his
, side, and at the top Of the next bluff
he nearly fell of his horse from sheer
. fright. Coming TO meet him, helter,
: skelter, save who save can, came o.
) band Of Indians in full retreat, with
D bullets popping around them right and
left. They were as startled as was
8 Ned. His white face doubtless led
them TO believe that party OF white
Q men were cutting them of. Without
8 a shot they turned and fed right and
Q left; utterly scattered-saye one, o
huge man with large war bonnet.
j He was apparently mad with rage and
: came swooping down on Ned. The
instinct Of self-preservation, rather
y than reason, made the lad raise his
shotgun to his shoulder and fire.. al
n though no bullet, but mere buckshot
}, were in his cartridges. Dinily the boy
!, saw something, had happened, and
70 heard the Indian scream with pain,
y and again heard the commanding of.
/. fcss'slvoioe hurriedly shout: "Oeass
y firing" Z. e.,.-.-..i. "a.
His horse swept on, through the line,
Of amazed soldiers, and at last, witt
every manifestation of delight, ranged
quietly up behind the men, by the side
of the horses, left rideriess in charg'
of few soldiers, whose comrades hat
- dismounted to fight on foot. a,
~ Ned rolled off his apparently insan'
- horse. and sat, with dizzy head, 'see
! ing nothing clearly, until tall MAJ MAJ
y with o saber stood in front OF him an
looked sternly at the boy. = '''si si'ns :.
''Who on earth are you2h be said
"The, idea of charging right into tn
teeth of our fre."
please, ,sir,a said Ned, very muc
4h frightened at the look Of the big sabea
"I didn't mean to. Baldy ran ava
b. with me.e.' z 'it'.'''' ~
- The officer broke into a smile, an
lifted the boy to, his feet, and sheathe
his saber.
- ssIt's lucky you we're not killed,,"h
said. "Tell me how it all came abou
Do YOU know you knocked an India
of his pony, that one of my men
bringing prisonerP" ',e..u. taGt
a "Ohi please, SIR" cried Ned, turI
AD ing white. "Is he killed? iOhi real
AN1 I didn't mean ",s.il +ssi = 's
- "The beggar's sound enough" sa'
= bright young officer coming n
asst .sHell probably be blind though. I
MS got that shot full.;n the face" y T.
MS The two officers turned TO Ned tn,
ted and questioned him, and with boyi
he innocence he told them all-abo
ne their .hardships, his father's sickne'
wn his mothers weariness and 'worr
ght and little Loo's' desire for q Thanh
ISIS giving turkey. As he concluded
s. smiling sergeant led mp Ned,s, hori
.ow 'Its our .old Badly. sir" he sai
yea 1--WE had him when the troop was
IN 1 Wyoming and he was condemned a
yes sold. He ran, Of course, when
taii heard the bugle, and ranged alongsi
Ang like the veteran he Is. !" -,
rds The men crowded round the
wer troop horse with many Jokes q
rie caresses, but Ned looked at him
nee dismay. !
avy "My turkeysl" he cried. yll'';.I
Tall They were gone, thrown OF In {
IA Wild charge, and Ned broke down I
ute, burst into tears, thinking OF poor, 4
and appointed Loo. But the captain 8
rds. two horssmen over the way the
ms had come, and. they. brought th
stiil back safely. So that was all right
his much more, for the younger ofit
ola who was doctor, had some quin
Ned in his saddle bags, and showed
,gey the way home in triumph, and th
IN . he doctored the boy sfather and m
1red him comfortable, SO thatthey got h'
sem, to Texas safely. es ~. Isi,,.
hing The dinner that night was '
8. fashionable, il the time they at
ping counts for anything, for it was 3 o'c
ran before the turkey was cooked.
MS "But," said Loo, cuddling g
gned fully against Ned, ''it wouldp't
SAID: couldn't have been Thanksgiving
haan -rrI 49, rsI.,YTl