Waterbury Democrat., 1900-11-09
CHAPTER xxx.

A day had dawned on the Big Horn never to be forgotten by those who watched the conflict from the stockade, never to be recalled by those who went forth to fight. Broad daylight had come and the sun was peeping over the far horizon as strong arms bore the unconscious officer within the post, and the commander eagerly questioned the men who came with him. Thoir story was quickly told. They had fled l before overpowering numbers of the Sioux the night before, had made their way through the timber in the dark ness and come ahead all night, grop- ing their way from ridge to ridge until at the peep of day they found them selves in sight of familiar landmarks, and could see the gleam of the waters of the Fork dancing away under the dawn. And then, as they essayed to ride on they found the Indians all around them. Whichever way they turned the foe appeared but only in scattered parties and small numbers. Not once did more than half a dozen appear in sight, and then, confident of speedy succor from the fort, they had decided to make dash for it, and Il. Eow a score of warriors popped up and barred the way, while others far cut at flank or rear kept up long range fire 5:a Uan wGE shot through the boGJ and fainted uHd had to be borne along. Then the lieutenant was shot in the leg, but no one knew it until they saw his boot was running over with blood, and he was growing ghast- ly white, even though he kept encour- nging and directing. But when at last the cavalry met them and brushed the Indians away from the front, Capt. Drum, who rode at their head, ordered MT. Dean taken right into the post while he dashed on to punish the Sioux, land he is giving them hell, too,' said the excited trooper, flor there couldn't have been more than hundred Indians all told"
 An, not in sight, perhaps, poor lads!-not in sight of horse, foot or fort; for if there were only a hundred, how came it that the fire grew fiercer still, and that presently every musket in the infantry skirmish line, too, was blazing on the foe? By this time cav airy and infantry both had disappeared over the curtainipg ridge, and the colonels face grew grave and haggard as he listened. Three-dfths of his lit tie garrison were out there battling against unknown numbers. They had gone to rescue the detachment and bring it safely in. That rescue was 2plished. The precious package | for which so much had been risked was here-but what detained the com mand? Why did they not return? Be- | yond doubt far more Indians were out | there now than when first the firing began. "Gallop out, MT. Adjutant, and tell the major to withdraw his line and | fall back on the stockade," was the order-and with a lump in his throat | the young officer mounted again and | started. He was a pet in the garrison, | only in his second year of commission. They saw him gallop through the gate. saw him ride gallantly straight for the curtaining ridge beyond which the smoke was rising heavily now, saw him breasting the slope, his orderly following, saw him almost reach it, and then suddenly the prairie seemed to jet fire. The foremost horse reared plunged and went rolling over and over. They saw-plainly saw through | their glasses, and a shriek of agony and horror went up from among the women at the sight-half dozen paint ed savages spring out from behind the ledge, some on pony back, some afoot, and bear down on the stricken form of the slender young rider now feebly striving to rise from the turf; saw the empty hand outstretched, implorins mercys saw jabbing lances and bran dished war clubs pinning the helpless boy to earth and beating in the barred, defenseless head; saw the orderly dragged from under his struggling horse and butchered by his leaders side; saw the bloody knives at work tearing away the hot red scalps, then ripping off the blood-soaked clothing, and, to the music of savage shouts of glee and triumph, hacking, hewing, mutila+ing the poor remains, reckless of the bullets that came buzzing along the turf from the score of Springfelds 1 turned loose at the instant among the loopholes of the stockade. It was 500 yards away in the dazzling light of the rising sun. Old Springfelds did not carry as do the modern arms. Soldiers Of those days were not taught accurate shooting as they are ROW. It was too
 
 within minute or two the direful tragedy was over, and the red warriors had darted back behind the ridge from which they came.
 "My God! sir," gasped the officer who stood at the side of the awe stricken post commander, T believe it's Red Clouds entire band, and they've got our poor boys surrounded! Can't we send help?"
 "Send help! Merciful heaven. man, who's to help us? Who's to protect these poor women and children if we go? I have but two companies left. It's what those fiends are hoping have been planning-thatI I'll send out my last man to the aid of those al- ready gone, and then they'll dart in on the fort and what will become of l these?'
 Great drops of sweat were pouring down the colonel's face as he turned and pointed to the huts where now