Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-12-28

the whites; and when the fire ceased not
more than half of them regained their
seats and galloped off, leaving the rest,
men and horses, in a CHASTITY heap. See
ing them in full retreat, the occupants OF
the tower descended to receive Mr.. Har-
dy and Fitzgerald, Terence much delight
ed at having at last had his share IN
skirmish.
'Well done, boys! Very we'll planned,
Charley" Mr.. Hardy said, as he refined
in his horse ''That was a near escape"
After tea Lopez came up for orders
| ''You will place." Mr.. Hardy said, two
poems at each corner of the outside fence.
One of us will come round every half
| hour to see that all is right. Their in
| structions are that in case they hear any
movement one is to come up to us imme-
diately with the news, and the other IS
to go round to tell the other sentrles to
do the same. All this is to be done in
| perfect silence. l do not want them to
know that we are ready for their recep-
ton. Bring some fresh straw up and lay
| it down here on the floor; the women can
sleep here"
what shall I do about your own
horses, signor?" Lopez asked.
| Mr.. Hardy thought moment. Il think
you had better send them down to the
| Enclosure with the others; they might be
driven off if they are left up here, and l
do not see that we can require them"
"But what about the cattle, papaW
Charley asked. SIT would be a serious
loss if they were driven off, especially the
mich cows. If you like, l will go down
with Terence, and we can take up our
station among them. 1t would be a strong
post, for the Indians could not attack us
on horseback; and with my carbine and
| Terences gun, and a brace of revolvers,
I think we could beat them off easily
enough, especially as you would cover us
with your guns"
II had thought of that plan, Charley;
but it would be dangerous, and would
cause us up here great anxiety. | mag
inc, too, that as no doubt their great OBJ
| ject is vengeance, they will attack us
first here, or they may make an effort
upon the cattle at the same time that
they attack here. They will not begin
with the animals. They will find it a
very difficult business to break down the
fence, which they must do to drive them
out; and while they are about it we shall
not be idle, depend upon it."
The preparations were soon made.
At about 10 o'clock there was a sharp
bark from one OF the dogs fastened up
by the fold, followed up by general
barking Of all the dogs on the establish
| ment.
'"There they are" Mr.. Hardy said.
''Charley, bring the mastiffs inside and
order them and the retrievers, too, to be
quiet. We do not want any noiss up
here, to tell the Indians that we are on
the watch. Now, Fitzgerald, you go to
the sentries behind the house, and l will
go to those in front, to tell them to fall
| back at once"
This mission was, however, unneces-
sary, for the eight poems all arrived in a
minute or two, having fed from their
! posts at the first barking of the dogs,
and without obeying their orders to send
around to each other to give notice of
! their retreat.
MIR. Hardy was very angry with them,
but they were in such abject fear of the
Indians that they paid little heed to their
masters words, but went and huddled
! themselves together upon the straw in
the sitting room, remaining there with
out movement until it was all over. Ter
ence was inow recalled from the gate,
which had been his post.
Did you hear anything, Terence?"
Eyes, sir-a dull sound like a lot of
horses galloping in the distance. l should
| say that there were great many of
them. 1t seemed to get a little louder,
and then it stopped
THAT was before the dogs began to
bark, Terence"
about five minutes before, your hon
or"
Yes. 1 have no doubt that they all
dismounted to make the attack on foot
How quiet everything is"
| Mr.. Hardy and the boys took their
place on the tower, from which they COM
manded the whole garden. They had the
long rife, the carbines and four revolv-
ers. Mrs. Hardy and the girls took their
! place in the upper room of the tower
where there was a light. Their rifles
were ready in case of necessity, but their
! principal duty was to load the spare
chambers Of the carbines and pistols as
fast as they were emptied, the agree
ment being that the girls should go up
| by turns to tai the loaded ones and
bring down the empties. Sarah's place
was her kitchen, where she could hear
all that was going on below, and she was
to call up the ladder in case aid was re-
quired. And so, all being in readiness,
they calmly awaited the attack.
CHAPTER MI.
| For nearly half an hour the occupants
of the tower remained without hearing
the smallest sound. Then there was
| slight, Earring noise.
They are getting over the fence"
Mr.. Hardy whispered eco down now
every one to his station. Keep the dogs
quiet, and mind, let no one fire until
give the signal
Over and over again the clinking noise
was repeated. Cautious as the Indians
were, it was impossible even for them to
oat nvor thot ctraOro oDd diffioul+ oh