Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-03-05

SKIN Tor cittu ana tu0Afalct was Nt-
served, aad ne patted the neck of the
little fellow as kindly as II his own
soul was clear of trouble. Backskin
tossed his head with delight. and
Snorted. "br-r-r-rmr' as II cxulting
that the time had come 70 prove his
mettle a. it had never been proved be
fore.
Arson. although he had not until
that day had an actual fight with In
dians. had more than once been in
danger from them. As he had often
hunted buffalo. elk anu antelope. he
could use a rifle effectively from horse
back His Winchester was of the
largest calibre. and his cartridges
were fresh If he could secure posi-
tion shel,ering him on one side, he
might hope TO beat Of 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 stragg,ers or small
parties of whites then making for the
"Hills." Moreover. the agency In
dians az Red Cloud aud Spotted Tail
on either hand were almost rs hostile
and as dangerous as the Sioux.
lie had planned 70 lie close IN the
/ Cheyenne valley that day, and 10 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 60 ride straight forward OF
stop and fight az a disadvantage.
AS he spurred Buckskin forward. be
often glanced back over his shoulder
He saw the Indians dip oat Of sight
into the bed OF the Cheyenne he
saw them rise up again like a flight OF
Wild ducks. Now be heard prolonged
yells above the hcof-beats of his pony,
as the savages galloped through the
long grass OF the valley.
They seemed 10 be gaining on him,
sad yet he did not VISA 70 push Buck
skin 20 his utmost until he might fair
" hope TO dodge the enemy among
the breaks OF White River or th,
canyons Of the Running Water. Tha
he might hope 10 do II ne did not en-
counter another band. he determined
to fight as he ran. 50, as he rode on
of the valley along the slope Of tn
bordering high lands, be turned IN hi
saddle and fred NJ the squad OF saw
ages whose ponies were bobbing NJ
z and down through the tall grass Xix,
a lot OF iack-rabbits. he Judged then
70 be nearly half mile distant.
. As their keen eyes caught sight o
= the pun OF smoke from bis rifle the
scattered aud spread ont, fanlike.
; second later, dozen white puffs rOs
4 from their breech-loaders, aud severa
little spOuts of dust, knocked up alon
r the side hill about him, told of ia
effectiveness Of the rifles with whic
+ the United States Government la
furnished them.
Had he been az halt they might hav
hit him. and yet he felt he must ha
to shoot well and get the full benef
! of his superior weapon.
Now he looked forward grizzly
:, the end Of the chase. 1t come 10 bit
that If he knew his wife and his othe
child at home were dead of that terri
. bic disease he should delight TO faS
= squarely about at once. aud fight 1
? long as life and ammunition held on
But he did not know this, aud SO
b. kept on steadily toward home.
= He felt pestered, goaded, fierce. b.
still cool and wary. He would not
- any miscaicula.iOn imperil his pos
= chances OF reaching his wife and litt
Alice; he would run wisely till b
= Judgment told him ne must stop az
shoot-then woe 10 the nearest of Il
= yelling foe,
The pace soon carried him TO Il
Is high eactus-sprinkled plateau whi'
n separated the valleys of the Cheyeni
M and White Rivers. Then he saw (
ii miles on every hand gray plains to d
ct right, the PERCEPTIONS breaks OF Viii
so River in front looming up on the O
ke posite side of it's valley, anl the cles
n ly defined outlines OF Crow Buttes
al to the left. No Indians were in sig
a except those behind him.
IT. 1t was about noon; the day W
on bright His race for life would
ne noted by any war-parties on the pls
within six miles. He knew we'll h
of hopeless his case would prove shor
us any Indians be where they could {
We of his advance.
ho He continued TO scan the lie
he plains anxiously, and once was ST