The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-04-11

seemed to lave roIled down from the
precipitous cliffs under which they were
now moving, two seasoned old dragons
800 yards out to the front, covering the
cautious advance.
All the broad sweep of rolling land
scape far to the west just lighting up
in the slant of the summer sunshine,
not living thing in sight save their
own little band, yet beyond that ridge
only two miles away lay the ranch,
all seemingly peaceful and secure, yet
over that Jagged watchtower to the
north the war signals of the Sioux were
Haunting, and every hand seemed to seek
the small OF the gunstock, even two of
the prisoners pleading for "a show in the
fight" if there was to be one, and, not
five minutes later it came. Borne on
the still, breathless air there rose throb
bling from the west the spiteful crack,
crack of rifles, the distant clamor of
front came one of the troopers at mad
gallop, his eyes popping almost from
his head.
my God, lieutenant, Folsom s ranch
is afire, and the valleys thick with
Sioux
Even then, when every carbine seemed
to leap from its socket, men remember
ed the eroan of despair that rose from
Burleigh's lips.
Look after the prisoners, corporal
Sergeant Carey, you and the first six
come with mel" cried Loring A gallop
of less than minute brought them al
most abreast of the ridge. Black and
billowing cloud of smoke was rising,
'ashed from beneath by angry tongues
Of red flame. "It ism t the house. thank
'iod!" cried the sergeant. It's the hay
stacks. But look at the Indians!'
Look! Well they might! All about
the corrals they were darting. All on a
sudden there blazed from the ridge line
across the stream the fire of a dozen
rifles. All around them the spiteful bull
lets bit the turf One horse madly rear
ed and plunged, his rider cursing heart
lily. Wildly the more excitable troopers
returned an aimless shot from saddle,
while others gazed eagerly to the officer
for orders. 1t was his first meeting with
the Sioux. 1t had been his hope to gain
that threatened ranch by dawn and join
its garrison. but where was that hope
now?
Down along the banks of the Laramie,
flashing their bounding ponies, brandish-
ing their weapons and yelling like mad,
band of Sioux. full 40 strong, came
charging at them, splashing through the
shadows and scattering out across their
front in the we'll known battle tactics
Not an instant was there to be lost
Jump for those rocks, men'' rang
Loring's order. 'Cut loose your prison
ers, corporate They must fight for their
lives!''
But, oh. what chance had SO few
against go many? Springing from sad
die, turning loose their startled, snort
ing horses that 20 tearing away down
the valley, she old hands have jumped
for the rocks and. kneeling and taking
deliberate aim, open fire on the foremost
of the foe. A ga1dy warrior goes down
in the flood, end a yell goes up to heav
en-. Another good shot Stays feather
decked pony and sends his rider sprawl
ing, and wisely the others veer away to
right and left and scurry to more dis
tant range, bat mp the slopes to the
south still others dart
From three sides now the Indian bull
lets are hiasing in. In less than four
minutes of sharp, singing fight gallant
Sergeant Carey is stretched on the turf
with shattered elbow, Corporal Burke
and two troopers are shot dead, and
Loring, with white. set face and a
scorching seam along the left cheek.
seizes a dropped carbine and thrusts it
into Burleigh's shaking hands.
up with you, man!' he cries. "It's
your scalp you're fighting for. Here.
take a drink of this. /" And his filled
canteen is glued to Burleigh's ashen
lips.
A long pull. gasp, and hardly know
ing what lee does the recreant officer
lsneels at the nearmost rock, aims at a
painted savage leaping to the aid of a
9, ! g. !.