The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-03-26


back. His Winchester was of the
largest calibre, and his cartridges
were fresh. If he could secure aposi-
ton sheltering him on one side, he
might hope to beat off the small band
now hot upon his trail.
But he knew that the canyons and
"breaks" of White River. which lay
in front, were swarming with Sioux,
lying in wait for stragglers or small
parties of whites then making for the
"Hills." Moreover, the agency In
dams at Red Cloud and Spotted Tail
on either hand were almost as hostile
and as dangerous as the Sioux.
He had planned to lie close in the
Cheyenne valley that day, and to ride
through this particularly perilous re-
gion during the coming night. A
trail with guarded stations led toward
Sidney, but he had left it about mid
night for the most direct route toward
wife and child. Now he had no
choice but to ride straight forward or
stop and fight at d;sad Vantage.
As he spurred Buckskin forward, he
often glanced back over his shoulder.
He saw the Indians dip ont of sight
into the bed of the Cheyenne. He
saw them rise up again like flight Of
wild ducks. Nowh heard prolonged
yells above the hoof-beats of his pony,
as the savages galloped through the
long grass of the valley.
They seemed to be gaining on him,
and yet he did not wish to push Buck
skin to his utmost until he might fair
ly hope to dodge the enemy among
the breaks Of White River or the
canyons of the Running Water. That
he might hops to do if he did not en-
counter another band. He determined
to fight as he ran. So, as he rode out
of the valley along the slope Of the
bordering high lands, he turned in his
saddle and fred at the squad of sav-
ages whose ponies were bobbing up
and down through the tall grass like
alot of jack-rabbits. He judged them
to be nearly half o mile distant.
AS their keen eyes caught sight OF
the puff of smoke from his rife they
scattered and spread out, fanlike. A
second later, q dozen white puffs rose
from their breech-loaders, and several
little spouts of dust, knocked up along
the side hill about him, told of the
effectiveness of the rifles with which
the United States Government had
furnished them.
Had he been at halt they might have
hit him, and yet he felt he must halt
to shoot we'll and get Me full benefit
of his superior weapon
Now he looked forward grimly to
the end of the chase. It come to him
that if he knew his wife and his other
child at home we're dead of that terri
bio disease he should delight to face
squarely about at once, and fight as
long as life and ammunition held out.
But he did not know this, and so he
kept on steadily toward home.
He felt pestered, goaded, fierce, but
still cool and wary. He would not by
any miscalculation imperil his poor
chances of reaching his wife and little
Alice; he would run wisely till his
Judgment told him he must stop and
shoot-then woe to tho nearest of the
yelling foe!
The pace soon carried him to the
high cactus-sprinkled plateau which
separated the valleys Of the Cheyenne
and White Rivers. Then he saw for
miles on every hand grsy plains to the
right, the precipitous breaks of White
River in front looming up on the op-
posite side of its valley, and the clear
ly defined outlines Of Grow Buttes far
to the left. No Indians were in sight
except those behind him.
It was about noon; the day was
bright. His race for life would be
noted by any war'parties on the plain
within six miles. He knew we'll how
hopeless his case would prove should
any Indians be where they could cut
off his advance.
He continued to scan the level
plains anxiously, and once was STAR
tied for an instant by the sight Of sew
eral crows Tapping along near the
horizon far in front Of him. 1t is
amazing that large birds flying on the
sky -line look and move so much like
galloping Indian horsemen.
An hour or more wore on, and the
Sioux had gained only slightly upon
him. They had perceived that he was
we'll mounted, and had settled down
to long chase. Arson knew some
thing Of their persistent, savage
patience.
Brave little Buokskin as yet held up
stoutly under the strain Of swift rid.
ing, but Arson resolved to tighten the
pony'sload. He cut loose his blankets,
slowed his cartridges, some biscuit
and dried beef in his coat pockets,
and flung blankets and saddle bag
away.
Soon a chorus of shriller, longer
yells reached him from the rear. The