Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-06-21
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
a day had dawned on the Big Horn
Mever to be forgotten by those who
watched the conflict from the stockade,
saever to be recalled by those who went
forth to fight. Broad daylight had
come and the sun was peeping over the
Ear horizon as strong arms bore the
sanconscious officer within the post,
sa.d the commander eagerly questioned
Nhe, men who came with him. Their
STORY was quickly told. They had fed
Before overpowering numbers of the
Sioux the night before, had made their
way through the timber in the dark
mess and come ahead all night, CROP
Eng their way from ridge to ridge until
9f the peep of day they found them
selves in sight of familiar landmarks,
nd could see the CLEAN of the waters
Df the Fork dancing away under the
dawn And then, as they essayed to
1Sde on they found the Indians all
sezound them. Whichever way they
scattered parties and small numbers.
1sa3 once did more than half dozen
appear In sight, and then, confident
61CS0S 60CCOE HUH TIC AOA SACy
1ad decided to make dash for it, and
Vo rode boldly out into the OPEN But
nav a score of warriors popped up and
barred the way, while others far out
at flank or rear kept up long range
3ire- One man was shot through the
body and tainted and had to be borne
along Then the lieutenant was shot
FEn the leg, but no one knew it until
IL -,
~<ith blood, and he was growing ghast-
Ay white, even though he kept encour-
aging and directing. But when at last
.fhe cavalry met them and brushed the
INDIANS away from the front, Capt.
EDrum, who rode at their head, ordered
AIR Dean taken right into the post
while he dashed on to punish the Sioux.
land he is giving them hell, too," said
phe excited trooper, "for there couldn't
lhzve been more than hundred Indians
all fold-''
AN, not in sight, perhaps, poor
xads,-not in sight of horse, foot or
fort; for if there were only a hundred,
kow came it that the fire grew fiercer
still, and that presently every musket
an the infantry skirmish line, too. was
fs,Sazing on the foe? By this time cav
y
-sS<er the curtaining ridge, and the
~saloners face grew grave and haggard
szE he listened. Three-fifths of his lit
ele garrison were out there battling
against unknown numbers. They had
Ssuze to rescue the detachment and
zzring it safely in. That rescue was
accomplished. The precious package
For which so much had been risked was
saere-but what detained the COM
mand? Why did they not return? Be
xoad doubt far more Indians were out
There now than when first the firing
began -'Gallop out, Mr.. Adjutant. and
tell the major to withdraw his line and
AL back on the stockade," was the
.szEder-and with lump in his throat
che young officer mounted again and
started He was pet in the garrison.
only in his second year of commission.
They saw him gallop through the gate.
saw him ride gallantly straight for the
-.curtaining ridge beyond which the
smoke was rising heavily now, saw
aim breasting the slope, his orderly
following, saw him almost reach it,
sxnd then suddenly the prairie seemed
80 let fire The foremost horse reared,
ESansed and went rolling over and
ever They saw-plainly saw through
s<heir glasses, and shrek of agony
saDd horror went up from among the
women at the sight-half dozen paint
sd savages spring out from behind the
iSedxe. some on pony back, some afoot.
and bear down on the stricken form of
x.fAe slender young rider now feebly
striving to rise from the turf; saw the
~mE1y hand outstretched, imploring
-zzerry: saw jabbing lances and bran
~zssshed war clubs pinning the helpless
zscy 70 earth and beating in the barred,
~5efenseless head; saw the orderly
dragged from under his struggling
hoxSe and butchered by his leaders
s<sde- saw the bloody knives at work
ueax1g away the hot red scalps, then
xlpPing off the blood-soaked clothing,
=xnd, to the music of savage shouts of
Kzee and triumph. hacking, hewing,
znnfilafing the poor remains. reckless
al the bullets that came buzzing along
W1e turf from the score of Springfields
sEned loose at the instant among the