The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-05

Bill was all right, he was, an we liked
him, we did. When we tumbled to what
he'd got, we got mad, and Daddy was
mad, too. We charged and scattered
the blackguards for time, and we got
Bits body before they had time to mutt
late it, save the scalping. We liked Bill
we did, and Daddy liked him. He was .
fine build of a man. The troop held the
position. Hot shooting it was, and we
dug a grave and we buried Bill to save
him from mutilation. We blew tape
over him, too, and all the time the In
juns were tearing around on their ponies,
shooting in on us like mad. Being So
we hadn't time to dig the grave very
Deep but we put Bill under all according
to the rules and regulations and re-
vised statutes. We was sorry and we
was mad, for Bill was fine build OF
man and played a good game at poker
'We-ell we had to hurry up Dit,
and then we retreated in good shape
got over the creek, cleared out the IN
juns from the hill-lively, that was-ano
had time to think what we was dong
We threw up few bits Of rifle pits, ana
got a bite to eat Mind you, all the
night the Comanches were circling around
the hill and putting in a good, STEADY
fire. 1t looked almighty rough for u.s.
for there was no chance to send out
runner with word to Phil. So, when 1t
was near morning, Daddy spoke up.
Boys says he, we're trapped says
he There's no way to get help sent to
us. So says he, as them devils are ali
about us, and we're short of chuck and
water and ammunition, he says-not
just like that, but them was his mean
ings-he says, I'm going to cut my Way
out. Is it right?' he says.
Right it was. 1t was our only chance
for we were completely surrounded
and what he said about the ammunition
was correct. We had Fred Colville with
us, the bugler-you'Ve heard of him.
He'd played taps over Buck Bill when
we buried him. There was no use In
laying low. We didn't care how much
row we made. Fred up and gives a roar
ing call, full blast and to hell with the
rest. Boots and saddles! up! l never got
my fingers twitching at a call as l did
that time. Up we went to the saddles,
revolvers at the carry, carbines loose IN
the boots and faced the reds. never
thought I'd live through it, but all | was
mad about was to empty them six cham
bers into the Comanches that were thick
to. Trust them. They're cute. The
beggars got together on the only road
we could take to find the command, and
waited. Give me a Comanche for
square fight. They formed up in the
gray of the morning to meet us. and says
l to myself, says l. It's massacre, so it
is for they were about five to our one.
Boys says Daddy, cool as icechests.
bo m
in column of fours,' he says, and cut
through. Look out for yourselves, and
luck to us all Trumpeter, he says,
sound the boots and saddles again. It's
dandy he says. It's a good def, he
says.
"And at that Fred Tipped the bugle,
ard it went to rouse the land. You'd
have thought they'd have heard it at
Washington. Whoopee!
Again. yelIs Daddy for he seen it
put blood into us, an seemed to scare
the reds.
Fred let her go again, and l was
looking at the other side of the creek
where we'd buried Buck Bill, between
where the Iniuns were aud the water.
guess l cried out for Daddy howled at
me:
What's the matter with you? Are
you crazy?'
'"Twas enough to make man crazy
The little mound of gravel over Buck
Bill was heaving. Bill was coming out
of his grave. l yelled out. but the old
man was giving his commands.
"'Trot,' says he. Gallop!' says he
'Charge!' says he. and at the word
charge Fred lets out a yell from that
old buge would scare Madrid. The Injuns
were excited and looking for us and
ready for us, and we didn't have much
chance, but that call walked Buck Bill
for fair. Right between us his grave
was and the mound heaved and the
earth parted and out came Bill from
the dead. He staggered bit facing the
Injuns, and we were coming down across
the creek. pistols cooked, full charge
He never looked at us. He faced the reds
Man. they were scared. 'Charge!' yells
Bill and goes for them just as he was
in tho shirt and drawers we had buried
him in Charge he yells, and we
howlcd ard begob, ] was like the Jnjuns
l thought it was a ghost! They cleared
out; they scattered; they thought he was
a spirit We cut after Bill, but he whip
ped them Comauches himself. ] guess
it took the blood out of them to see dead
men rising out of their graves to fight
them.
81 forgot to tell you, you see, but
maybe you've guessed it. Buck Bill
wasn't dead at all. He was scalped and
senseless all right, but only stunned
like, and it was lucky we hadn't time to
bury him Deep
The corporal paused.
Il guess he said, rising, "the nurse'll
be kickin' us out if we don't go Of our
selves. Say, you're like Buck Bill; you've
got the bump of vitality strong. You've
lived through this without a bugle call
to rouse you either But I betted you'd
die. By rights you ought to have died"