The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-08-25
"GO..,
An Episode Of Invasion.
By FRANKLIN w. CALKINS.

~ ~ ~
The new FL Dorado was in sight
GOrdon's party of twelve tired front
iersmpn had mounted the high divide
which separates the sources Of thu
Running Water from those Of the
Cheyenne. For five weeks the men had
shoyelled drifts. buffeted bliZards and
kept constant vigil among the inter
minable sand-hlls. BY means, too. OF
stable canvas, shovelS, axes, iron pick
et-pins and Il modicum of dry feed.
they had kept in good condition the
splendid eight-mule team which drew
their big frcishter.
In fact "GOrdon's outfit was mod
el one In every respect, and probably
no similar body of men ever faced our
snow-bound, trackless plains, better
equipped for the adventure. And now
the mutfled marchers cheered as Cap"
Gordon halted them, and pointed to n
blurred and inky upheaval upon the
far rim Of limitless waste Of white.
The famous Black Hills, veritable
wonderland, unseen hitherto by any
party of whites save the men of Gus
ters expedition, lay before them.
Two more days and the gold-seekers
would gain the shelter OF those pine
covered hills, where their merry axes
would "eat chips" until shelter, COM
tort and safety from attack were Sc
cured. Out Of the bitter cold, after
weeks of toll and danger, into warmth
and safety-no wonder they were glad.
AS yet they had seen no sign OF the
hostile Sioux, but their frosty cheers,
'nlh and piping, had hardly been borne
away BY the cutting wind when a NOV.
ing black speck appeared on the west
ern horizon.
Inc speck drew nearer and resolved
ltseif into solitary horscman. Could
oe that a single Sioux would ap-
pfoacn a party of their strength? They
Natcned the rider without anxiety.
lucy were so near the goal now that
~ war party of sufficient strength to
oe'ohe menace was likely to be-
VINE menace was likely to be gath
e'e'A 1hey were equipped with an ar
'enal OF modern guns, with fifty thou.
oand rounds Of ammunition. and had
uoasted : they were good to stand Off
'nree hundred Sioux"
nearer and nearer drew the horse.
.'al' MS pony coming on in rabbit-like
.Nuips TO clear the drifts. Speculation
.saseo . 1t was an Indian-probnbly a
.un'er s'rayed far from his village.
J. starved and coming to beg for
.ooo' . Well, the poor wretch should
ave frozen bread and meat. as mucb
= = ne could eat-they could not stop to
b've MIN better fare.
" was as cold as Greenland. The
vunoled !, driver upon the great wagon
appea ~ MS single line, and yclled at
p'oddlng mules. Eleven buffalo
.Oa'ed' fur-encascd men with feet clad {
i i snow-packs marched at the tail Of t
:. lfeishter. In such weather their t
Wv shooting irons" were left in the F,
'ason' nor did they deem it necessary {
low to get them out {
tney were prepared for a herring
uuian' but the apparitIon which final I
'oue III upon the monotony of their {
"i'fch seemed to them figure t
: ;. '"fciai MS savage. As the Sioux S
.'S''nah confronted them he lowered
. 'ianGff. uncovering his solemn, q
aio''fian face, and stretching ont one 9
Jug arm. pointed them back mo, 9
heir trail. i'0'' i
wv lie said. and he repeated the a
',n'aahd ~, with fierce insistence. +
.n' Dig freight wagon ratified on. S
:, '"e .ootmen halted for moment
laugh. Q
A"e Indian stretched his lean orm S
~ shouted, GO" still more savage I
!. = was Immensely funny. Cor t
" men jeered the solitary autocrat t