The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-08

still IN its gray heat when there was the
crack OF a rife. puff OF smoke, and
one OF the troopers put MS hands to his
waist. bent and fell dead. Every man
spTang for his horse and held his rife.
Why should I tell the story OF an IN
dian fight, with all its horrors? over and
over it has been told TO deaf ears. Thirty
5Fszie men ,hsmmed in and surrounded by
three hundred savage-thfs is too old z
story to thrill. Before they have buried
their dead. some Congressman will be
standing in the council Of the nation call
ing them brass buttoned dudes
Shutdown found twelve men dead. seven
unwounded, and their plight hopeless.
Colts right arm hung IN an improvised
sling, broken by one Of the bullets a wise
government gives to the Indians. Hunter
was lying on the ground with ball in
his hip As darkness began to creep
down. the Indians drew OFT. They could
be patient. There was another day. and
little work for them 10 do
Colt called a young fellow 10 him. He
was a yelIow-haired boy Just out from
the East, with the tan Of the Territory
not yet on his cheeks The lieutenant
took his note book from his pocket, and
with his left hand painfully scrawled two
notes. OEe was TO the commandant OF
the post, and one to Helen Stanberry IN
the first he said.
'OUr case is hopeless We have only
seven men left. and are surrounded by 800
T-,=y,rz rr,r, ran rvaTfo-, .rr,r75 tbo -ocF-
and pick Us all of whenever they care
to risk OUT fire. consider it my duty TO
take this one chance Of reaching you"
To Helen Stanberry he wrote.
I'VE shall all be dead by sunrise, and
for myself I would not have it other
wise II l lived, would never have
told you; but it cannot hurt you to
know that man WHO IS dead loved
you with his whole heart"
And then Colt asked he boy If he
would try to slip by the indians before
TIE moon came up.
1T VIII be death if you stay. 1t can
be no worse II you go. There is one
chance in q thousand for you"
Il cannot bring the troops before
morning We are seventy-fve niles from
the post" the boy said. He knew that
morning meant death.
Take these dispatches" Colt an
swered.
As night came down one or two Of
the men slept, but Hunter and Colt
both moved uneasiIy, wskefuIly. Fin
ally Hunter spoke. He seemed TO have
forgotten their quarrel for the no
ment
Colt" he said. taking his revolver
from its holster. before those DEVIL.
come I am going to kill myself It is
the only thing to do Custer killed
himself beyond q doubt Why should
I stay TO brave the fortunes OF fends7'
I have a slight prejudice, meseH,
Colt replied, with a suggestion d tht
vernacular Of his childhood. .agatnst
going in anywhere before I am invit cd
III see It out
He looked toward the stiff row O
bodies which had been laid along by
the rocks One OF two Of the wounded
men were delirious. and talked loudly
Colt gave one OF them drink from h
spring
4 am going 20 lie here all night, ant
when morning comes. and I hear til.
tramp OF their horses as they close OF
as I am going to put this bullet through
my brain" Hunter said
1T will doubtless save you suffering
Colt returned coldly. and moved or.
The night seemed never ending. Al
though they knew that it was their last
that they were condemned men, the1
longed for the hours to pass. Anything
even death, was better than this hor
Tor Of inaction. Many Of the men wrot,