The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-01

audible. and for the most part intelli- gible to the men behind the rocks. The paIe-face dogs shall not es- cape!" he cried. Has not the Sioux
 nation sworn to scalp every white man
 who has come into their country l?
 Back wonder on the river the warriors of a whole village have built their fires for the night; I, Black Smoke, parted from them but a few hours ago. Let the braves wait while Black Smoke goes and brings them; and be- fore another sun i've more scalps of
 white men will be hanging at our beltsy'
 And the Sioux applauded. Hes talking about the band we
 passed" the Colonel groaned. This is going to be our last fight, my lads." :" Young Kenny was staring through the rocks. I've seen that fellow somewhere before," he said. That cut on his lip" | The trooper near him turned his head. Don't you recognize him. sir ?" he asked shortly. "It's that chap we | left for dead after the fight last sum- mer. I saw him starin' at you when they climbed up on the rocks'just now.
 told you they was red devils. every mothers son of 'em." | The Colonel had helped the wounded | man into a more comfortable position.
 Well, we've got five rounds of ann munftion left to welcome them with whenever they get here," he said. "In the meantime. Horn and I are going to sleep" And he stretched himself along the stones. The savages had drawn farther off, awaiting reinfoFcementA, and the in- \ creasing darkness hid them entirely. | Inside the rocks there was hut little
 talking. The Colonel's peaceful | wounded man, the rush of the river | were the only sounds that broke the
 stiffness. And so the early hours of l the night dragged by. | They're . leng time gettin' here,"
 Barnes said abont midnight. with a
 faint hope in his tone. Maybe they'd
 broke camp"
 | The other trooper gave a harsh | laugh. Whats the difference? Them
 an hour when daylight gets here" he said.
 l And silence fell again. l At last the stars began to set. The men were perhaps a little drowsy.-the night had been so long--when Barnes I started up.
 | "Looki" he whispered. | Along the ledge of sand an indistinct line of figures was creeping, and more
 were scrambling down the bank. | Keep under cover. men," said the
 colonel's quiet voice behind them;
 and don't fire till they're close. We
 can give them a warm i've minutes,
 anyhow" l Kenny raised his rife. Leave the
 leader to me-" he said. through his
 teeth. i've got 6 little mistake to correct"
 | Three seconds. and a naked figure
 sprang upright on the rock. Thert.
 was the crack of a rife. and a heavy
 thud.
 Don't ire Colonel! It's your menr'
 a voice outside exclaimed. And half
 a score of soldiers leaped over the
 rocks.
 The little garrison stared at them through the dim light.
 Who brought you hers?" the colo
 neI gasped.
 "The Cheyenne" answered the fa-
 miliar voice of the adjutant. puffing. He says one of you saved his life last
 year. He got us here on the double | quick" ,
 Kenny bent hastily over the pros-
 trate Indian.
 And shot at himr' he cried in a low voice. TT am afraid he's hurt! And he was coming to our rescue wasn't 1t horrible? Get some water
 some of you"
 z Two of the men had raised the
 young brave in their arms. He opened
 his eyes slowly, meeting the boys anx- ious. remorseful gaze with an odd smile.
 "Us-brudders," he muttered in his deep guttural, as their hands clasped , and. with a quivering sigh, died. The little colonel raised his cap rev. , erently.
 we believe in one God, the Father [ Almighty" he murmured. And every head was uncovered as they laid the l Indian back upon the grass. The silence was broken by the cry oi l the sentry:
 Here comes the savages, sirl" y Mrs Wade Hampton, Jr.