Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-28


travel, and, il we're in for fracas, we
might Just as well have it out here as any
where; for, Il they're after lis, it'll have to
come before long"
And he set the breech of his rife upon the
ground and stood coolly gazing. in the direc-
ton from which the drove OF elk came
Jud and / were considerably excited by this
tune, and, as we had never witnessed pat
tie, except between schoolboys, we felt rather
nervous, but each endeavored to appear as
unconcerned and cool as possible. -,
well" said the colonel, at length, I'VE will
DO just as you think best. / am not used to
lighting Indians, but if we we're to handle
squad, outnumbering us two to three to one,
should not ask for any better shelter than
this little grove and the banks of the stream,
reckon you're right agreed jerry ana
| from behind these trees as long as our am
| munition and grub holds out, but am uneasy
about the horses. Yours, especially, isn't
used to any such hullabaloo as they make,
1 and It'll keep us busy to hang on to EN-, Tor
| II they get as scared as I've seen horses do
these little picket ropes won't hold 'em no
more than a string Of linen thread"
| We could not but notice that the scout
| spoke as though fight with Indians was a
certainty, and / for one fairly held by breath,
and strange emotions, which are beyond analy-
SIS, passed through my mind.
We stood for few moments conversing in
| low tones, and finally Jerry had lis bring in
the furthest animals and shorten all the
picket ropes, making them double.
When this was finished, he turned to Uncle
| Ben with the question:
| Am | the boss till sunrise?"
Yes" said the colonel. "All the way to
Fort Rice, for that matter"
and sleep till ! wake you"
We demurred somewhat, but the scout in.
sisted, and, much against the inclination Of
at least two of us, we rolled into our Blankets
and the colonel was soon sound asleep.
Jud and L were too much excited by the
recent occurrence to take the matter with
such nonchalance, and, lying close together
we conversed in whispers, talking about the
sounds which Jud had heard; about what
you'd happen if we were attacked by large
number of Indians; about Charlie, home, and
know not how many subjects.
| AT last as the night wore away, drowsiness
overcame our fears and we slept.
We were startled from slumber Just as the
first faint streag of light could be seen in the
east by the voice of Jerry.
Boys" said he bending over U.S. "they're
coming. Get among the horses and do Just
as L tell you," and back he went toward the
We jumped to our feet, and, seizing our
guns and revolyers, followed him silently;
but for myself, | was shaking like leaf, all
though | set my teeth together in the en-
deavor to appear calm.
The scout was quietly standing near the
horses as we approached.
Look up yonder if you want to see
Fourth of July outfit" he said, pointing up
| the valley on the side of the stream.
| Although it was not yet broad daylight
| we could see plainly enough to distinguish
number OF horsemen riding slowly toward us
from the mouth of ravine about half mile
away, and out Of which others were still is.
suing and following their lead.
| They think they're going to surprise u.s."
muttered Jerry, "and they will surprise me
by the number of ,em if they don't let up
pretty quick" he added, as they kept riding
from the ravine Hello, boys!" said he,
pale, but don't you be scared. Just hang
onto as many Of the horses as you can till
! they get quieted down little and leave the
shooting to the colonel and me. The begpars
won't shoot much after the first dash, but
| they'll make fearful noise, and It'll try
| your nerves; but, as soon as the horses quiet
| blaze away at EN-"
| By the time he had finished these instruc
| tions, the Indians had all ridden from tbe
ravine, and were slowly coming along in n
body. There were forty-fve or fifty Of them,
and my heart knocked against my side fear,
| fully as | noted the terrible Odds
! Jud leaned his gun against tree. and
! taking the lariat of Nero and the colonePs
pony, he led them alongside each other. and
| firmly grasped the halter of each in his hands
while l did the same with Jerry's riding
| horse and my pony.
"Now, boys" said the scout, in low
tone, they'll be onto us in moment. and
expect you to show your mettle. Keen 'T your
| bodies behind the horses you are holding and
| don't let go of 'em till you think there's no
danger. The Indians will act just as If thew
were going to ride plumb over us, but thew
won't-not bit Of it, and" 10y
| He was going to add something more but
chorus OF frightful screeches and horrible
rafting, crashing sound cut him short, and
| turning from us, he crOuched rifle in raaJ;