Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1902-02-14

diately with the news, and the other is
to go round to tell the other sentries to
do the same. All this is to be done i'll
perfect silence. l do not want them to
know that we are ready for their recap-
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, signorw Lopez asked.
Mr.. Hardy thought a moment. II think
inclosure 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, papa?"
Charley asked. "It would be a serious
loss if they were driven of, 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
Terence's gun, and a brace Of revolvers,
l 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. l imag-
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 II
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 We're soon made.
AT about 10 o'clock there was Il sharp
bark from one OF the dogs fastened up
by the fold. followed up by IL general
barking of all the dogs on the establish
ment.
There they are" Mr.. Hardy said.
Charley. bring the mastifs inside and
order them and the %retrievers, too, to be
quiet. We do not want any nJise up
here, to tell the Indians that we are OH
the watch. Now, Fitzgerald, YOU go to
go to those in front, to tell them to fall
back at once"
This mission was. however, unncces-
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.
Mr.. Hardy was very angry with them,
but they We're in such abject fear of the
Indians that they paid little heed to their
masters words, hut went and huddled
themselves together upon the straw in
the sitting room. remaining there with
out movement until it was all over. Ter
cnce was inow recalled from the gate,
which had been his post.
Ibid you hear anything, Terence?"
"Yes, SRA dull sound like a lot of
horses galloping in the distance. l should
say THAT there We're a great many of
them. 1t seemed to get Il little louder,
and then i%t.stopped."
THAT was before the dogs began to
bark, Tercnce?" cF
about five minutes before, youhr hon
or"
"Yes. l have no doubt that they all
dismounted to make the attack on foot.
How quiet everything is"
MIR. Hardy and the boys took their
place on the tower, from which they COM
manded the whole garden. They had the
long rifle, the carbines and four revolv-
ers. Mrs. Hardy and the girls took their
place i'll 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 We're emptied. the agree
ment being that the girls should go up
by turns to take the loaded ones md
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 ease aid was re-
quired. And so, all being in readiness,
they calmly awaited the attack.