Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-09-11
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued.)

and filling up the cracks with clay to
keep out the wind? 2"
"Of course we did, Hubert. l remem-
Der all about it now. Run down and tell
them to be ready to pull the wood out
and to fire through when they hear the
next rocket go off. l am going to send
another light rocket over in the direction
where / saw the horses; and directly
get the line will send off cracker rocket
after cracker rocket as quickly as 1 can
at them. What with the fire from below
among them, and the fright they will get
when they see the horses attacked, they
are sure to make a rush for it''
In minute Hubert came back with
the word that the men below were ready.
In moment rocket scared far away to
behind the house; and just as its light
broke over the plains another one swept
over in the direction of dark mass of
animals, seen plainly enough in the dis
tance.
cry Of dismay burst from the In
dians, rising in yet wilder alarm as three
shots were fired from the wall of the
house into their crowded mass. Again
and again was the discharge repeated,
and with a yell of dismay wild rush
was made for the fence. Then the boys
with their carbines, and Mr.. Hardy with
the revolvers, opened upon them every
shot telling in the dense mass who strug-
gled to surmOunt the fatal ratings.
Frenzied with the danger, dozens at
tempted to climb them, and. strong as
were the wires and posts, there was a
cracking sound, and the whole side fell
In another minute, Of the struggling mass
there remained only some twenty notion
less forms. Three or four more rockets
were sent off in the direction where the
horses had been seen, and then another
signal rocket, whose light enabled them
to see that the black mass was broken
up, and that the whole plain was covered
with scattered figures of men and ahi-
mals, all flying at the top of their speed.
THANK God, it is all over, and we are
safe!' Mr.. Hardy said solemnly. Never
again will an Indian attack be made up-
on Mount Pleasant. 1t is all over now.
my DEAR he said to Mrs. Hardy as he
went down the stairs; they are off all
over the country, and it will take them
hours to get their horses together again.
Two of us have got scratched with ar
rows, but no real harm is done. Char
leys is only a flesh wound. Don't be
frightened he added quickly, as Mrs.
Hardy turned pale and the girls gave a
cry at the appearance of Charley's face,
which was certainly alarming. "A little
warm water and a bandage will put il all
right"
do you think 1t will leave a scar?'
Charley asked rather dolorously.
well, Charley, l should not be sur
prised if it does; but it won't spoil your
beauty long, your whiskers will cover it:
besides, scar won in honorable conflict
is always admired by ladies, YOU Know.
Now let us 20 downstairs; my arm, too,
wants bandagng, for it is beginning to
smart amazingly; and am sure we all
must want something to eat"
The supper was eaten hurriedly, and
then all but Terence, who, as measure
OF precaution, was stationed as watch
man on the tower, We're glad to lie down
for few hours sleep. At daybreak they
We're up and moving.
Mr.. Hardy requested that neither his
wife nor daughters should 20 outside the
house until the dead Indians were remov-
cd and buried, as the sight could not but
he most shocking one. Two of the
poems We're ordered to put in the oxen
and bring up two carts, and the rest of
the men set about the unpleasant duty of
examining and collecting the slain.
These were even more numerous than
Mr. Hardy had anticipated, and showed
how thickly they must have been cluster
ed round the door and windows. The
guns had been loaded with buckshot; two
bullets he dropped down each barrel in
addition; and the discharge of these had
been most destructive, more especially
those fired through the loopholes at the
end of the house. There no less than six
teen bodies We're found, while around the
door and windows were thirteen others.
All these were dead. The guns, having
been discharged through loopholes breast
high, had taken effect upon the head and
body.
At the fence were fourteen. or these
twelve were dead. another still breathed,
but was evidently dying while one had
only broken leg. unQuestionably sew
cral others had been wounded, hut had
managed to make OF. The bullets OF re-
volvers. unless striking mortal point
disable a wounded man much less than
the balls of heavier calibcr. 1t was cvi.
IDENTITY useless to remove the Indian who
was dying all that could be done for
him was to give him little water. and
TO place bundle of grass so as to raise
his head. Half an hour later he was
dead. The other wounded man was ear.
ried carefully down to one of the sheds,
where bed of hay was prepared for
him. Two more wounded men were
found down by the cattle Enclosures. and
these also Mr.. Hardy considered likely
10 recover. They were taken up and laid
by their comrade. Three dead bodies
were found here. These were all taken