Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-04-12

could still hear the distant firing dy-
ing away in the mountains to the
north. "Give 'em hell, Dean!" he NUT
tered through his set teeth. They're
showing fight even when you've got 'em
means?"
Not until another day was he to
know. Late on the evening of the at
tack, while he was seated with his
wife by Jake's bedside, half a dozen
troopers, two of them wounded and
all with WORKOUT horses, came drift
ing back to camp. Twice, said they.
had the fleeing Indians made stand
to cover the slow retreat of one or two
evidently sorely stricken, but SO close
ly were they pressed that at last they
had. been forced to abandon one OF
their number, who died, sending his
last vengeful shot through the lieu
tenants hunting shirt, yet only graz
ing the skin. Dean, with most of the
men, pushed on IN pursuit, determined
never to desist so long as there was
light but those who returned could
not keep up.
Leaving the dead body Of the young
brave where it lay among the rocks,
they slowly journeyed back to camp.
No further tidings came, and at day
break Folsom, with two ranchmen and
a trooper, rode out on the trail to round
up the horses the Indians had been
compelled to drop. Mrs. Hal chung
sobbing to him, unable to control her
fears, but he chided her gently and
babe her see that Jake lacked no care
or comfort. The brave fellow was sore
and feverish, but in no great danger
now. Five miles out in the foothills
they came upon the horses wandering
placidly back to the valley, but Folsom
kept on. Four miles further he and
single ranchman with him came upon
three troopers imping along afoot,
their horses killed in the running fight
and one of these, grateful for a long
pull at Folsom's flask, turned back and
showed them the body of the falleh
brave. One look was enough for Hal
and the comrade with him. "Don't
let my wife know-who it was," he had
muttered to his friend. cit would only
make her more nervous" There lay
Chaska, Lizette's eldest brother, and
well Hal Folsom knew that death would
never go unavenged.
eff ever time comes when can do
you a good turn, lieutenant" said he
that afternoon as, worn-Out with long
hours of pursuit and scout, the troop
was encountered slowly marching back
to the Laramie, ''I'll do it if it costs
me the whole ranch" But Dean smiled
and said they wouldn't have missed
that chance even for the ranch. What
a blessed piece of luck it was that the
commanding officer at Frayne had bid
den him take that route instead of the
direct road to Gate City! He had sent
men riding in to both posts on the
Platte, with penciled lines telling of
the Indian raid and it's results. Once
well covered by darkness the little
band had easily escaped their pursuers.
and were now safe across the river and
well ahead of all possibility of success
full pursuit. But if anything were
needed to prove the real temper of the
Sioux the authorities had it. Now was
the time to grapple that Ogallalla tribe
and bring it to terms before it could
be reinforced by half the young men
in the villages of the northern plains.
The Platte, of course, would be pa
trolled by strong force of cavalry for
some weeks to come, and no new foray
need be dreaded yet awhile. Red
Clouds people would clay low" and
watch the effect of this exploit before
attempting another. If the White
Father ''got mad" and ordered heap
soldiers" there to punish them, then
they must disavow all participation in
the affair, even though one of their
best young braves was prominent in
the outrage, and had paid for the lux
ury with his life-even though Burning
Star was trying to hide the fresh scar
of rifle bullet along his upper arm.
Together Dean and Folsom rode back
to the ranch, and another night was
spent there before the troop was suffi-
GENTLY rested to push on to Emory.
Remember this, lieutenant" said
Folsom again, as he pressed his hand at
parting, there's nothing too good for
you and &C. troop at my home. If ever
you need friend you'll find one here
And the time was coming when Mar
shall Dean would need all that he could
muster.
Two days later-still a march away
from Emory-a courier overlook him
with a letter from his late post com
mander: "Your vigorous pursuit and
prompt, soldierly action have added to
the fine record already made and merit
hearty commendation." The cordial
| words brought sunshine to his heart.
How proud Jess would be, and mother!
He had not had word from either for
over week. The latter, though far
from strong, was content ct home in
the loving care of his sister, and in the
hope that he would soon obtain the
leave of absence so long anticipated,
| and, after Jess brief visit to Pap
posses new home, would come to
gladden. the eyes of kithiand kin, but
mothers most of all, bringing Jessie