Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-02-20
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 Their
story was quickly told. They had fled
before empowering numbers of the
Sioux the night before. had made their
way through the timber in the dark
ness and come ahead all night. crop
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 CLEAN 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 dozen
appear in sight, and then confident
of speedy succor from the fort, they
had decided to make a dash for it. and
so rode boldly out into the open. But
now score of warriors popped up and
barred the way, while others far out
at flank or rear kept up long range
fire. One man was shot through the
body and tainted and 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-
~ white. even though he kept encour-
aging 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
MI. Dean taken right into the post
whe he dashed on to punish the Sioux
"aHI he is giving them hell, too" said
I'll excited trooper, for there couldn't
ha'a been more than a hundred Indians
a. told.'
Nh, not in sight, perhaps, poor
LAOS not in sight of horse, foot or
Tort; for If there were only 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 curtaining ridge, and the
coioneis face grew grave and haggard
as he listened. Three-fifths 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
accomplished. 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. Mr.. Adiutant. and
tell the major 10 withdraw his line and
fall back on the stockade." was the
order-and with lump in his throat
the young officer mounted again and
started. He was pet in the garrison.
only IN his second year of commission.
They saw him galiop through the gate.
saw him ride CALAMITY 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 il
and then suddenly the prairie seemed
TO jet fire. The foremost horse reared
plunged and went rolling over and
my pa pldlu'k saw through
Their glasses, and a snriek of agony
and horror went up from among the
women at the sight-haIf dozen paint
cd savages spring out from behind III,
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. implorin0
mercy; saw jabbing lanccs and bran
dished war clubs pinuiug the hcIpIess
boy 20 earth and beating .u the barred.
defenseless head; saw the ORDERLY
dragged from under bis struggling
horse and butchercG 5y hi. leaders
side. saw the bloody knives at work
tearing away the hot red scalps then
ripping of the blood-soaked c.othin0
and. TO the music Of savage shouts OF
glee and triumph. hacking. hewinr
mutiiating the poor remains. reckless
Of the bullets that came bulzing along
the turf from tine score Of Springfelds
taFnsd lO0ss At the instant among the