The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1906-07-19
CuApTER XII.

CHAPTER XXI.
When near the Neck, Forstall, Daw-
son, Henderson and Adair were sent for
ward by Capt. Hawcs to see II the enemy
could be discovered, learn his exact po-
sition, and the best point of attack. They
galloped off to perform this duty with
right good will, and it was remarked thst
even the quiet and impassiye Job Dawson
appeared to shake off his usual apathy,
and feel the deepest interest in what was
transpiring. He was the first to discover
Gainey and his dragons; they were NOV
ing up the hill toward Strickland's, and
soon halted within few hundred yards
of the house. Fastening their horses,
they advanced on foot until they were
near enough for all practical purposes.
"They have not yet. divided their men,
believe" said Dawson.
Perhaps they have. changed their
minds" Returned Forstall, land intend
to do their villainous work here first,
and then move on to Adair's."
They retraced their steps to the spot
where they had left their horses, and
mounting, returned to the detachment
and related what they mad seen to Capt
Hawes.
do you think there'll be time to make
an oration?" he asked, anxiously.
1T must be pretty short, captain, for
you see these young fellows are impa-
sient, because fair ladies are concerned"
replied Henderson, in jocular tone.
independent Fire Eaters and feller-
countrymen! Oncommon speciments of
female beauty are in danger. We go to
the tented field and the listed plain to
do our devoirs for the sweetest of crea-
tion. Jones, what in thunder are You
about? Restrain the ardor of that colt |!
Who isn't ready to break lance and his
neck, too, for lovely woman up to her
eyes in trouble There isn't one among us
50 base; If there is, he'll sell his birth
right for mess Of potash. Demean your
selves gioriously, and your name will
make a heavenly appearance on the
scrawl of futurity.'
The Fire Eaters moved on slowly and
cautiously, until the enemy were distinct
ly seen.
Swing your war scythes--bust on
em " shouted Capt. Nick, and the detach-
ment swept toward them with uplfted
sabers. ~
The jest about Marion died away on
Gainey's lips, and Bill Cunningham ruff
iianly face grew pale They drew their
swords from their sheaths; but the star
beams had scarcely kissed their polished
surface before Capt. Halves had hurled
his dragons against them.
.'Some of sIarion's feliowsv' cried
Cunningham; and while he was utteriEg
the words dozen of his horseinen we're
overturned and rolled in the dust, with
the beasts that had borne them to many
a scene of murder and riot. Not one of
them tried to stem the terrible tide of de-
struction that was sweeping them away.
Those that had not already felt the sabers
Of the dragons had been overwhelmed
by the shock of their fiery charge, reined
their horses from the encounter and fed
for life; for they had heard the name of
Marion shouted in stentorian voices by
the men of Rocky Greek.
As on similar occasions Frank Forstall
watched the bearing of Job Dawson. The
result was much the same the Quaker
was foremost in the melee his mammoth
horse ''snuffed the battle afar off" and
worked himself into fury, and Forstal
saw him dash among the enemy like a
| thunderbolt rearing, plunging and strik.
| ing with his feet !; and then our hero saw
with an involuntary shudder, Jobs great
saber flashing like meteor in the faint
MOONLIGHT.
"Do you see that, Ben Rowan?" cried
Frank.
Il ssrI~ hot = 1oy;lu IA Tln,x
"It's fighting devil, at any rate
returned Forstall. "See-his might.
horse outstrips all !"
"Both humbugs !" cried Rowan.
Before ten minutes had expired th
enemy was nowhere to be seen; and tn
shouting and firirg and clashing of arm
had nearly ceased, although the pursui
was still kept up by few of the detach
lment. Frank embraced the first opportu
Unity to hasten to Mr.. Strickland's.
i "Oh, Frank. what has happened?" ex
claimed Ruth, when Forstall entered pre-
cipitately and without ceremony, his gar
ments stained with sangninary memento
OF the fight.
.Good news,s Ruth, gocd news y eric
Frank. joyfully. -Alr. Strickland Is a
liberty"
Thanks be to the protecting hand 0
"a careful Proyidence!" calculated Mr.
II Strickland.
And this brave young man, said Jc
!, Dawson, who had followed Frank Int
the house.
'But what means this recent tnmuit-
the bloody scene we have just witnesse
from the windowsy' asked Ruth.
.It means that viuainy Is defeate,