The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-07-04
CHAPTER XXX.

A day had dawned on the Big Horn
never to be forgotten by those who
watched the conflict from the stockade,
never to be recalled by those who went
forth to fight. Broad daylight had
come and the sun was peeping over the
far horizon as strong arms bore the
unconscious officer within the post,
and the commander eagerly questioned
the 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
ness and come ahead all night, crop
ing their way from ridge to ridge until
Ut the peep of day they found them
selves in sight OF familiar landmarks,
and could see the CLEAN OF the waters
of the Fork dancing away under the
dawn. And then, as they essayed to
ride on they found the Indians all
around them. Whichever way they |
turned the foe appeared, but only In
scattered parties and small numbers.
Not once did more than half a dozen |
appear in sight. and then, confident |
of speedy succor from the fort. they |
had decided to make dash for II, and |
90 rode boldly out into the open. But
now a score Of warriors popped up and
barred the way, while others far out
at flank or rear kept up long range
fire. One man was shot through the
body and tainted and had to be borne
along. Then the lieutenant was shot
In the leg, but no one knew II until
they saw his boot was running over
with blood, and he was growing ghast-
ly white, even though he kept encour-
aging and directing. But when ut last
the cavalry met them and brushed the
Indians away from the front, Capt.
Drum, who rode at their head, ordered
Mr.. Dean taken right into the post
while he dashed on to punish the Sioux,
"and he is giving them hell, too" said
the excited trooper. "for there couldn't
have been more than a hundred Indians
all told.'
All. not In sight, perhaps, poor
lads!--pot in sight of horse, foot or
fort; for IL there were only hundred,
how came IL that the fire grew fiercer
still. and that presently every muskct
in the infantry skirmish line, too, was
blazing on the foe? by this time cav
airy and infantry both had disappeared
over the curtaining ridge, and the
colonel's face grew grave and haggard
as he listened. Threc-fifths Of his lit
tie garrison were out there battling
against unknown numbers. They had
gone 10 rescue the detachment and
bring II safely in. That rescue was
accomplished. The precious package
for which so much had been risked was
here-but what detained the com
mand? Why did they not return? Be
yond 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
fall back on the stockade," was the
order-and with lump in his throat
the 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
him brcasting the slope, his orderly
following, saw him almost reach II
and then suddenly the prairie seemed
TO Jet fire. The foremost horse reared
plunged and went rolling over and
over. They saw-plainly saw through
their glasses, and n shrek OF agony
and horror went up from among the
women at the sight-half a dozen paint
ed savages spring out from behind the
ledge, some on pony back, some afoot
and bear down on the stricken form q
the slender young rider now feebl,
striving to rise from the turf; saw the
, empty hand outstretched, implorini
mercy; saw jabbng lnnces and bran
dished war clubs pinning the helpless
boy TO earth and beating in the barred
defenseless head; saw the orderl.
dragged from under his struggling
horse and butchercd by his leader
side; saw the bloody knives at worl
tearing away the hot red scalps, thcl
ripping off the blood-soaked clothing
and, to the music OF savage shouts o
glee and triumph, hacking, hewinp
mutilating the poor remains, reckles
of the bullets that came buzzing alon
the turf from the score of Springfield
turned loose at the instant among tn
loopholes OF the stockade. IL was so
yards away In the dazzling light of tn
rising sun. Old Springfclds did NO
carry as do the modern arms. Soldier
of those days were not taught accurat
shooting as they are now. II was 10
far for anything but chance, and a
within n minute or two the diref,
tragedy was over, and the red warrior
had darted back behind the ridge frol
which they came.
'My God! sir" gasped the Office
who stood at the side Of the aw'
stricken post commander, ~ believ
it's Red Clouds entire band, an
they've got our poor boys surrounded
Can't we send help?"
"Send help! Merciful heaven, MAJ
who's to help uE2 Who's to prote,
these poor women and children II "
70? ! have but two companies lef
It's what those hends are hoping
have been planning G--that Ill send o'
iny last man 10 the aid Of those a
ready gone. and then they'll dart
ON the fort and what will become I
these?"
Great drops Of sweat were pourir
down the colonel's face as he turn'
and pointed to the huts where not
clinging TO one another In terro
many poor wives and children we
gathered, and the air was filed wi,
the sobbing Of the little ones. |
from the gtockade came two your
officers, their faces set and rigi
NJ ts.s lea n<dt v.n IN