Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-01-09
CHAPTER XIX.

That night there was re joicing IT he
new stockade. For over week not n
courier had managed to Slip through
In either direction. Alarmed for the
safety of the little garrison, the com
handing officer of the post away up at
The gorge Of the Big Horn river had
vent two troops of cavalry to scout the
slopes of the mountains and look into
lhe state of affairs at Warrior Gap.
They found countless fresh pony
tracks all along the foothills east of
TIE Greasy Grass and in the valleys OF
the many forks of the Deic Agie-the
Crow name for Tongue river-but not
an Indian did they see. They marched
IN among the welcoming officers and
men at the busting post to find them
selves hailed as heroes. We've been
cut off from the world for at least ten
days. said the commandant. "Our
couriers have been killed, captured or
driven back. Even our half-breed
scouts refuse to make further trial.
They say Red Clouds people cover the
land in every direction. Our wood
choppers only work under heavy guard.
The contractors, freighters and work
men threaten to strike unless they get
fheir money. The sutler refuses them
further credit. The quartermaster has
paid out every cent and says his requi-
sition for $4,000 was ordered filled. and
the money ought to have been here
week ago. All will have to stop if the
money doesn't come. We're safe
enough. The Sioux don't dare come
within range of our breechloaders.
" o. fin il l,o L., II. a.
fo- winter at this rate"
4 stout-hearted soldier was the com
n1Hding officer at Warrior Gap. He
had with him now four strong COM
panles of infantry and troop Of horse.
lie had, he said, but one anxiety. so far
as holding the fort was concerned
some few Of the officers and quite a
number Of the soldiers. as has been
told, were burdeued with their wives
and children. If these could ONLY be
moved under strong guard to Frayne
on the Platte. he could snap his fingers
IN The face Of Red Cloud and his whole
gang until they too got breech-load-
efs Its only question Of time"
sand he. sooner or later the interior
department will be fool enough to arm
the redskins all over the land with
magazine rifles, and then there will be
lively work for the war Office ANY
day. said he further. eve NAV ex-
pcct the coming Of a whole regiment
from the Platte posts. and then Mr.. To
Will have 10 light out Meantime. If we
hadn't this trouble about the workmeu
and could get rid Of the women and
children. we'd be all right"
80 back 10 the Big Horn rode the
squadron 20 report all safe al Warrior
Cap. barring the blockade. and almost
on the same date ont there started
from Laramie. on the long march M
the Platte and over across the sage
covered deserts. a strong force Of foot
ard dragons. and mp from The sweet
water. far 10 the southwest. came this
terfuresome little party Of ten.
Bringing the much-dcmauded money.
anc all the while. with his far-ridinp.
far-seeing scouts in every direction.
Nachpealota. porchcd i'm the noun
'a.us back OF the building pos. warily
wa chcd the dispositions and daily
work. and laid bis plans accordingly.
MOI warrior was permitted TO show
himself near the stOckadc but in =
see pless Gordon. five miles out. they
surrounded the Gap. Not messenger
had managed 10 cludc their vigilance
ty day. not one had succeeded in .Iip-
T.rg into The little camp by night
W with every succeeding morn Tho
choppers and fatigue partic- pushed
>1fther ont from the sfockadc. iu grow
ing sense OF security and tbe Indians
le' them come.
Pull v,ek before the Laramie col
uUn could possibly reach the noun
90 IS however. Red Cloud wa. warned
81 their coming. their uuurc-s. and
positiou--so many horse soldiers.
80 many heap walks" nmolcstcd.
the squadron from Fort G. smith.
ga zig Horn River post, was permit.
TED 10 retrace its steps. In fancied
ssiety. born Of confidence ia that won