Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-09-04
BY q. A, HENTY

the corner of the fence, the fugitives
wheeled round to the right, and the In
dians, with a cry of eXultation, turned to
the right also to cut them off The low,
treacherous wire was unnoticed, and in
another moment men and horses were
rolling in a confused mass upon the
ground.
Now" Charley said, "every barrel we
have. and from the top of the tower a
rain of lead poured down upon the be-
wldered Indians. The horses, frightened
and wounded, kicked and struggled
dreadfully, and did almost as much harm
to their masters as the deadly bullets of
the whites; and when the fire ceased not
more than half of them regained their
seats and galloped off, leaving the rest,
men and horses, in ghastly heap. See
ing them in full retreat, the occupants of
the tower descended to receive Mr.. Har-
dy and Fitzgerald, Terence much delight
ed at having at last had his share in Il
skirmish.
"Well done, boys! Very we'll planned,
Charley!' Mr.. Hardy said, as he reined
in his horse. THAT was a near escape"
After tea Lopez came up for orders.
you will place. Mr. Hardy said, two
poems at each corner Of the outside fence
One of us will come round every half
hour to see that all is right. Their in
structions are that in case they hear any
movement one is to come up to us imme-
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 in
/ Ia tn
know that we are ready for their recep-
tion. Bring some fresh straw up and lay
it down here on the floor; the women can
sleep here"
What shall l do about your own
horses. signor?" Lopez asked
Mr.. Hardy thought moment. 81 think
you had better send them down to the
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. st would be a serious
loss if they We're driven off, especially the
milch cows. If you like, | will go down
with Terence, and we can take up our
station among them. 1t would be 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"
Il had thought of that plan, Charley;
but it would be dangerous, and would
cause us up here great anxiety. I mag
inc, too, that as no doubt their great OBJ
iS anI,
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 a
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 were soon made.
At about 10 o'clock there was a sharp
bark from one Of the dogs fastened up
by the fold, followed up by a general
barking of all the dogs on the establish
ment.
There they are" Mr.. Hardy said.
Charley, bring the mastiffs inside and
order them and the retrievers, too, to be
quiet. We do not want any noise up
here to tell the Indians that we are on
the watch. Now, Fitzgerald, you go to
the sentries behind the house, and | will
go to those in front, to tell them to fall
back at once"
This mission was, however, unneces-
sary, for the eight poems all arrived in
minute or two, having fled 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 were in such abject fear of the
Indians that they paid little heed to their
masters words, but went and huddled
themselves together upon the straw in
the sitting room, remaining there with
out movement until it was all over. Ter
ence was inow recalled from the gate,
which had been his post.
Did you hear anything, Terence"
"Ies, sir-a dull sound like lot of
horses galloping in the distance. should
say that there were a great many of
them. 1t seemed to get little louder,
and then it stopped"
That was before the dogs began TO
bark, Terence?"
About five minutes before, your hon
or"
Yes. / have no doubt that they all
dismounted to make the attack on foot.
How quiet everything is"
Mr.. 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-
crs. Mrs. Hardy and the girls took their
place in the upper room of the tower,
where there was 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 were emptied. the agree