The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-08-07

Bill was all right, he was. an we liked
him, we did. when we tunbled TO what
he'd got, We got mad. and Daddy was
mad, too. We charged and scattered
the blackguards for = time, and We got
Bills body before they had time to mutt
late il, save the scalping. We liked Bill.
We did, and Daddy liked him. He was a
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 tap.
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 pHt Bill under all according
to the rules ard regulations and re-
vised statutes. We was sorry and We
was mad, for Bill was a fine build Of .
man and played a good game at poker.
"We-eIl, We had to hurry up a bit.
and then We rctreated in good shape,
got over the creek. cleared out the IN
juns from the hill-lively, that was-and
had time to think what We was doing.
We threw up a few bits Of rife pits. and
got a bite to eat. MIND you. al the
night the Comanches were circling round
III 49, 1870 Nt'AAI III q 51DAy ~
fire. 1t looked almighty rough for us,
for there was nc chance to send out a
runner with word to Phil. So, when it
was near morning. Daddy spoke up.
Boys says he. were trapped, says
he. There's no way to get help sent to
us. So SAYS he. as them devils are all
about us, and We're short Of chuck and
water and ammunition, he says-not
just Xix 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, fun blast ana to hell with the
rest. Boots ana saddles, up, / never got
my fingers twitching at a call as ! did
that time. UD we went to the saddles,
revolvers at the carry. carhines loose in
the boots and faced the reds. I never
thought I'd live through it, but all ] was
mad about was to empty them six cham
bers into tho Comanches that We're thick
about us. They saw what we We're W
to. Trust them. They're cute. The
heggars got together on the only road
we could take 10 find the command, and
waited. Give me a ComGnche fer 2
| square fight. They formed up in the
gray of the morning to meet us, and says
| to myself, says l. It's a massacre, 50 it
is for they were about five to Cur one.
Boys says Daddy. cool as icechests,
you see he says, I'm going to charge
-, o1,rp nG fc,Irc b, IO ~ fSnI ont
through. Look out for yourselves, and
luck to us all. Trumpeter,' he says,
sound the boots and saddles again. It's
a dandy he says. It's a good def he
says.
"And ct that Fred Tipped the bugle,
and it went to rouse the land. YCu'd
have thought they'd have heard it at
Washington. Whoopee!
Again yells Daddy. for he seen il
put blood into us, an seemed to scare
the reds.
Erred let her go again, and I was
looking at the other side Of tho creek
where we'd buried Buck Bill. between
where the Injuns were and the water.
guess l cried out, for Daddy howled a.
me:
whats the matter with you? Arc
you crazy?'
''Twas enough to make n man crazy
The little mound of gravel over Bucl
Bill was heaving. Bill was coming on
OF his grave. l yelled out. but the olC
man was giving his commands.
"'Trot,' says he. @Gallop.' says he
Charge says he, and at the wore
charge Fred lets out q yell from tina
old bugle would scare Madrid. The Iniuni
were excited and looking for us an
ready for us, and We didn't have mncl
chance. but that call walked Buck Bill
for fail. Right between us his gray
was. and the mound heaved and III
earth parted, and out came Bill from
the dead. He staggered q bit facing tn
Injuns, and we were coming down acros
the creek, pistols cooked, full charge
He never looked at US. He faced the red
Man. they we're scared. Charge yell
Bill. and goes for them just as he was
in the shirt and drawers We had burie
him in. CHARGE he yells, and W
hoWIed and begob, l was like the Injun
I thought it was a ghost. Thcy cleare
out: they scattered: they thought he wa
a spirit. We cut after Bill. but he Whir
NOD them Comanches himself. ] g'ies
it took the blood out of them to see doa
men rising out of their graves to fgf
them.
q forgot to tell you, you see, BIT
maybe you've guessed it. Buck Ri
f wasn't dead at all. He was scalpod an
senseIess all light, but only stunne
t like, and it was lucky we hadn't time t
bury him deep
The corporal paused.
q guess" he said, rising, *'the nurse
, be kickin' us out if we don't go of oul
selves. Say. you're like Buck Bill; VOW
, got the bump of vitality strong You
lived through this without 4 bugle ca
5 to rousc you. either. But I betted YOU
die. By rights you ought to have died.