Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1899-03-10
THE DEVILS POCKE

~ was III NhO hci6hpoi-
hood OF 80 years ago that met with
one Of the most thrilling adventures Of
my llfe," began Mai 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 a
scouting party OF dozen men. which
had been sent out from one of the gov
eminent posts on a accommodating ex-
petition.
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 a solitary Indian
on horseback. apparently watching us.
THE instant he noticed that he had
been discovered he whirled like IA fash
and disappeared from view over the
brow OF the knoll.
AT 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,
Right WHEEL | shouted. and make
for the DEVILS pocket! Ride for your
lives!'
I'VE 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
the 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 a high
bluff. The place was natural fortress.
and 10 skilful marksmen could have
held II 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
I'VE 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 OF
to the right, cloud OF dust came roll
ing up over the horizon. | asked our
scout what 1t meant
'Bufiers-that's what 1t meansl'
chuckled the old scout. An It's mighty
lucky that we're In here out o. thar
way. Just wait till they git lketle
closer an see the injins skedaddle!'
Think they'll be apt to run for a
few buffaloes?'
Few, hey?' snOrted Hardy. Thar
air thousands comm along with that
cloud OF dust, an they're erbout the
only animal an lnJInll run away from.
"On they came nearer and nearer,
headed straight across the plain in
front Of the blum. The Indians. intent
on watching us, saw their danger when
Il was too late. There was no time for
retreat They must either meet that
living avalanche and scatter IL or go
down before 1t.
"A few ran for their ponies and quick
ly mounted, while the remainder await.
ed the Inevitable collision on foot. They
filled the air with their piercing yells
and fred wildly at the swiftly APP
preaching mass. but all to no avail.
Majestic and terrible. that awful sea
came rolling on.
"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!"