The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-01-05

mander. as he came hurrying out TO
meet the party, ''we've been in blue
funk about you fellows for two whole
days. Did you see any Indians?"
"See any Indians!" said Burleigh, raj
lying to the occasion, as became a
man who knew how TO grasp an oppor-
tunity. "We stood off the whole Sioux
nation over toward Crazy Woman's
fork. There were enough to cover the
country, red and black. for dozen
miles. We sighted them yesterday
about four o'clock, and there were
enough around us 10 eat us alive, but
we Just threw out slxirmish lines and
marched steadily ahead, so they
thought best not TO bother us. They're
shy of our brt ech-loaders, damn 'em!
That's all that kept them at respectful
distance"
The majors face as he listened took
on a puzzled, perturbed look. He did
not wish TO say anything that might
reflect on the opinions OF so influential
man as the depot quartermaster at
Gate City, but il was plain that there
was n train of thought rumbling
through his mind that would collide
with Burleigh's column of events unless
he were spared the need of answering
questions. LET me tell you briefly
what's happened" he said. "Red
Cloud and his whole band are out on
the warpath. They killed two couriers,
half-breeds, sent out to find Thorn
! tons troop that was scouting the Dry
Fork. The man we sent TO find you
and give you warning hasn't got back
at all. We've had double sentries for
three days and nights. The only souls
| TO get in from the northwest since our
| fellows were run back last night are
old Folsom and Baptiste. Folsom had
a talk with Red Cloud and tried to in
duce him 10 turn back. He's beset with
the idea that the old villain is plotting
a general massacre along the Big Horn.
lie looks like n ghost. He says IL we
had 5000 soldiers up there there'd
hardly be enough. You know the Sioux
have sworn by him for years, and he
thought he could coax Red Cloud 20
keep away, but all the old villain would
| promise was TO hold his young men
back ten days or so until Folsom could
get the general TO order the Warrior
| Gap plan abandoned. If the troops are
there Folsom says it's all up with them.
| Red Cloud can rally all the northern
tribes, and it's only because of Folsom's
influence, at least l fancy so-that-
that they didn't attack YOU"
"Where is Folsom?" growled Bur-
4 T. Il. Ia or plpnH
from his linen buster and followed the
major within his darkened door, while
other officers Hospitality led the aid
and engineer into an adjoining hut.
"Gone right on to Frayne. The old
fellow will wear himself out, I'm afraid.
He says he must get in Geographic
communication with Omaha before he's
four days older. Ny heaven, man, it
was narrow squeak you had! It's
Gods mercy Folsom saw Red Cloud be-
fore he saw YOU"
"Oh. pshawl" said the quartermas-
ter, turning over little packet Of let
tiers awaiting him in the commanding
officers sanctum. 1--WE could have given
good account of ourselves, reck?e,S
Brooks is down with fes,xqegr AMI aas,i,,
Dean got ralitib@; so practically had
,l9TdKe command. They'll be along in
an hour or so, and-a word in your eur:
III Brooks has TO remain on sick re-
port you'd better put somebody in
command OF that troop that's had-cr
-er-experience."
The post commander looked genuine
~ troubled "Why, Burleigh, we've
all taken quite a shine TO Dean. /
know the officers in his regiment think
a heap of him; the seniors do, at least"
But Burleigh, with big eyes, was glar-
ing at letter he had selected. opened
and was hurriedly reading. His face
was following again, under the blister
of sun and alkali.
Whats amiss?" queried his friend.
Nothing wrong, / hope. Why, Bur
leigh, man! Here, let me help youl" he
cried, in alarm, for the quartermaster
was sinking into chair.
you can help mel" he gasped. Get
me fresh mules and escort. Ny Godl
must start for Frayne at once. Some
whisky, please" And the letter
dropped from his trembling hands and |
lay there unnoticed on the floor.