Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-12-20

wagons packed, Mrs Allen and Raw
lifted IN, and at swift pace the party
started.
Not a word, not a sound. Evrrvtbino
to be gained before daylight. The col,
onel feared if he was not far OH their
way by that time the Indians would at
tack them in larger force. With the
first ray of dawn, gray shadows seemed
10 Ge Hitting here and there on the hill
then suddenly to disappear. Col. ALEU-
sent Corporal Knox to reconnoiter. He
rode on a quarter of mile ahead, where
Glsmountlng and stealthily creeping up.
he watched few moments. sheltered by
tae crest of the hill. Soon from out the
brush, down the other side close by the
little stream, came the painted creatures
at tull run straight toward him-they
had not yet seen the corporal lie
jumped on has horse and spurred him at
run back to the little cavaicade. Col
Allen was watching. lie saw the sud-
den turn about of the soldier. and knew
at once what it meant The Indians
would attack them between the hills. A
quick word of command, and one wagon
Grew up close behind the other, forming
a rear banIcade. The soldiers closed III
around the little stockade. Col. Allen
ordered Mrs. Allen and the nurse to drop
to the bottom of their wagon in a voice
SO harsh and stern, the Little Colonel
puckered up his mouth for a cry; but he
was quickly taken from nurses arms.
and gathering him tightly in her own,
and pressing the warm little face to hers.
Mrs. Allen breathed prayer to heaven
Tor protection in that awful hour.
a shadow fell across the wagon win
doWs; the soldiers-six-surro it.
The gallant colonel, with one hand grasp
ing his revolver, held tightly in the other
the reins of his horse. bringing him
closer to the side where Mrs. Allen
crouched with baby Ray. All waited in
silence. On the seat above lay the bright
new revolver given Mrs. Allen for fear OF
sudden attacks like this, for those were
days full of danger and hardship.
The silence for a moment was intense.
Then, with terrific yells and like rush
ing wind, up and over the hill came the
indians. Fire" rang out Col Aliens
voice. A volley of shot. Another, and
another. Swiftly whizzing through their
wagon came bullet. cutting straight
and true against the crashing glass on
the opposite side. Col Aliens face
paled his fingers closed tighter over the
revolver. Clearer and sterner came his
commands, with words of encourage
ment.
Shouting and whooping Indians rushed
around, firing recklessly, while volley
followed volley steadily into their ranks.
Mrs. Allen, with white, set lips,
reached upward and, cropping on the seat
above, clasped her trembling fingers
around the revolver. Suddenly a fist
came upward and pushed itself straight
into her cheek. In the fear of the mo-
ment she had forgotten him-the Little
Colonel! Looking down, she saw the lit
tie hood pushed far back from his face.
and two fists pounding the air; then a
baby voice was raised to its utmost pitch
as if giving commands; it all sounded
strangely amid the din.
A ray of light suddenly came in the
windows, and then sounded the rush of
horses feet. The firing grew fainter, and
Mrs. Allen raised up little and looked
out cautiously. Over the prairie flew
Col. Allen and his gallant little band in
hot pursuit. Five Indians lay dead on
the slope of the hill, and just at the
right cavalry horse was giving up its
brave life in breaths of wounded suffer
ing. Mrs. Allen shuddered; then, laying
the Little Colonel on the wagon seat, she
folded her hands and bowed her head
over the wide-eyed, silent child, with a
prayer of thanks for this wonderful
escape.
A moment later and back came the
victorious riders. Not many words were
spoken. Col. Allen stopped down and
kissed his wife's pale face, and gently
laid a smoked and grimy hand over the
baby's head; then quickly gathering his
reins, the horse stepped back pace, and
six dusty, splendid soldiers rode up and
each one of them gave salute and IL
look of tender care to the Little Colonel.
He laughed and ceoed at them, and again
pounded the air with his fists. as if to
say, Wasn't it splendid" Then came
quick command from Col. Allen, and
the little party went at rapid pace
over the now deserted prairie.
| just as the stars were coming out and
| twilight settled down, the welcome sight
| of old Fol. laramie was seen over the
| hill. where soon poor, tired Mrs. Allen
! and happy, good Little Colonel were well
coined to the bright quarters of the COM
mandant. Every one rejoiced at their
thrilling escape, and praised their cour-
age. The blueeyed baby smiled on them
all, and tried to tell about it, too.
Over in the barracks the soldiers were
gathered to hear the story of the six
| brave men-who would have died to the
last man. they said, "for the Little Col
onel! Mrs. Guy V. Henry in st. Nicho-
las.