Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-02-16

to the rescue or attack. as the clrruM-
stances might demand. But now there
,, appeared no need Of such u movement.
and without slackening his speed ne
bore onward with his lone detachment.
prepared to realize his worst misgivings.
As the slcdgc approached. however. its
occupants were suddenly astorishrt at
an outburst Of warning exclamatlons
from behind the station stockade. and
almost at the same instant their ears
were greeted by pandemonium Of fu-
rious whoops Immediately in their rear.
Turning in the direction of the latter out
burst. the four men bcheld sight that
was sufficient to inspire the stoutest
heart with dread, for charging toward
them from the very direction they them
selves had come was horde Of yelling
savagcs, bearing before them a hidcoils
blood stained wood carving and bran
dishing their rude weapons as they came.
AT sight of the grewsol.l' image the NJ
tive driver abandoned his control OF tie
dog team and shrank groveint; to the
bottom OF the sledge. ut1e.in@ single
terrified exclamation, 1.-THE war totem
Of the Tongas"' An Instant more the
dogs halted in confusion outs iAr the sta
ton. But there was no shelter for the
imperiled vanguard there. for SO dense
was the snowdrift before the barred
gateway that it was Impossible to eurvt
a hurried entrance. Realizing this, the
commander and his three men hurricdly
unslung their weapons and stood at bay
to receive the advancing hostiles.
"Giye them volley if you cam" shout
ed the former to the bcsieged party be-
yond the wall. emphasizing his order by
Il Il .ho.o ,>P 1ynr in
the face of the steadily approaching foe.
But the only shots fired in support of the
officers opening fusillade came from the
rifles of his three companions, and he
knew without being told that the little
garrison at his back had already ex-
hausted their last round Of ammunition.
So deadly was the effect Of the fiery pro-
test launched by the gallant little squad
into the foremost ranks Of the savages
that for q moment the latter's onward
rush was checked. But only for a mo-
ment, and before their opposers had time
to reload their weapons the frenzied
horde had rallied and was upon them.
Drawing his sword. the brave command
er smote the foremost of his assailants,
but the next instant his blade was struck
from his grasp by blow from a ponder
GUS warclub in the hands Of the Tonga
chief. Again the murderous weapon was
swung aloft, this time aimed at the COM
mander's head. but before it could de-
scend the sergeant's cutlass Kissed
through the air, and the would be assas-
sin fell headlong at his intended victims
feet. Dazed at the sight of their stricken
leader, the swarming tribesmen again
hesitated. Then, before they could re-
cover. turmoil of vengeful yells. ac-
companied by whitening fire Of mus
kerry. rent the air as the main body Of
the relief expedition came up and hurled
itself on the flank of the focnlen. The
attack from this unexpected quarter COM
pletcd the decentralization Of the Indians.
who now threw themselves in terror
upon the frozen snow and walled for
mercy.
What followed is briefly told. The SUBJ
dued hostiles, after delivering up their
arms, themselves cleared the snow from
the entrance to the stockade, whereupon
the beleaguered occupants threw open