Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-12-08
THE DEVILS POCKET.

1t was somewhere In tne nelCupor"
hood of 80 years ago that l met with
one of the most thrilling adventures OF
my life," began Maj. Rawling, as he
lit his cigar and settled down in COM
Portable arm chair before the open
crate fire.
II was at that time in command OF
scouting party of dozen men, which
had been sent out from one of the gov
ernment posts on q accommodating ex-
pedition.
1--WE had ridden for hours without
meeting with any signs OF our foes,
and was congratulating myself on not
having any fighting to do for that day
at least, when just as dusk was coming
on. saw, plainly outlined against the
horizon, the figure of solitary lndian
on horseback, apparently watching us.
THE instant he noticed that he had
been discovered he whirled like flash
and disappeared from view over the
brow of the knoll.
cat that moment a perfect storm OF
yells broke out in the direction OF the
knoll. and the clatter of horses hoofs
could be heard rapidly approaching.
There was no time for parley or delay.
fright wheel!' shouted, and make
| for the Devils pocket! Ride for your
lives'
"We spurred swiftly across the
prairie in the direction of the spot
where we expected to find refuge. The
| indians came on yelling and firing; but
fast riding and excitement, as well as
| the increasing darkness disconnected
| & I aim of our savage foes, and we
| reached our objective point without
| losing man.
THE DEVILS pocket proved TO be a
| deep cleft or canon in the side OF high
| bluff. The place was natural fortress,
and 10 skilful malksmen could have
| held it against 1000 redskins.
Thrice they charged up to the mouth
of the canon, and thrice we drove them
| back.
Instead of charging again they tried
a new tack. Retiring out of range they
| encamped directly in front OF our re-
| treat. apparently with the intention OF
starving us out. Here they remained
all that night and the next day, and the
succeeding morning still found them
| there.
1--WE had eaten the last of our scanty
| provisions. there was no water in the
canon and the men were suffering
greatly from thirst and hunger.
THE situation was fast growing des-
| perate, and | was about to order my
men to mount and force their way
| through or die bravely fighting for
their liberty, when suddenly, away off
to the right, cloud of dust came roll
ing up over the horizon. ! asked our
| scout what it meant.
'Bufiers-that's what it means!
chuckled the old scout. An it's mighty
| lucky that we're in here out o thar
way. Just wait till they git leetle
closer an see the Injlns skedaddle'
"'Think they'll De apt to run for a
| few builaloes?
"'Few, hey?' snorted Hardy. Thar
air thousands comm along with that
| cloud Of dust, an they're erbout the
| only animal an Injin'll run away FROM
"On they came nearer and nearer,
| headed straight across the plain in
front of the bluff The Indians, intent
on watching us, saw their danger when
| it was too late. There was no time for
retreat. They must either meet that
| living avalanche and scatter it or go
| down before it.
"A few ran for their ponies and quick
| ~ mounted, while the remainder await
| ed the inevitable collision on foot. They
| filled the air with their piercing yells
| and fired wildly at the swiftly ap-
| preaching mass, but all to no avail.
Majestic and terrible, that awful sea
came rolling on.
1.-The mighty herd passed on, but in
| its pathway no living thing was left to
tell the tale of that brief but deadly
struggle. Our savage foes would
trouble us no more!"