Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
BOB HAMPTON OF PLACER.
BY RANDALL PARRISH,
WILDERNESS
by c. Co

trot. the strong hand of a trooper grasping
every halterstrap. Brant was swinging his
long pack train up the smoke-wreathed
valley. The outriding fankers exchanged
constant shots with the skulkiug saVaCeS
hiding in every ravine and coulee. Pausng
only to protect their wounded. fighting their
way step by step. Troop ran the gauntlet
and came charging into the cheering lines
with every pound of their treasure safe.
Weir of ID, whose dsmuunted troopers held
that portion of the line. STROBE pace for
ward to greet the leader and as the eX-
tended hands of the officers met. there
echoed down to them from the north the
reports of two heavy volleys fired in rapid
succession. The sounds were clear dis
tinctiy audible even above the uproar of the
valley. The heavy eyes of the two sol
diers met. their dust-streaked faces flushed.
THAT was a signal, Clusters signal for
help. the younger man cried. impulsively,
his voice full of agony. For Gods sake.
Weir. what you fellows waiting here
for?"
The other uttered a roam, his hand flung
in contempt back toward the bluff summit.
The cowardly fool won't move; he's whip
ped to death now"
Brants jaw set like that of a fighting
bulldog
Reno. you mean? Whipped? You haven't
lost twenty men. Is this the 1th-the 18th?
-skulking here under cover while Custer
begs help? Doesn't the man know? Doesn' t
he understand? BY heaven. I'll face him
myself! I'll make him act, even If | have
He swung his horse with a jerk to the
left, but even as the spurs touched, Weir
grasped the taut rein firmly.
Its no use Brant. It's been done; we've
all been al him. He's simply lost his head.
Know? OF course he knows. Martini
struck us just below here. rs we were COM
ing IN; with a message from Custer. 1t
would have stirred the blood of any one but
him-Oh. God! it's terrible"
"A message? What was it?'
Cook wrote 1t, and addressed II to Ben
teen; 1t read: Come on. Big village. Be
quick. Bring packs And then, p. S.
munition badly; they're fighting to the
death out yonder, and they need powder.
Oh. the cowardv
Brant's eyes ran down the waiting line Of
his own men, sitting their saddles beside the
halted pack animals. He leaned over and
dropped one hand heavily on Weir's Shout
der The rest of you can do you please
but Troop is going to take those ammu-
milton packs over to Custer if there's any
possible way to get through. orders or no
orders" He Strengthened up in the saddle.
and his voice sounded down the wearied
line like the blast of a trumpet.
Attention! n Troop! Right face; dress
Number four bring forward the ammunition
packs. No, leave the others where they
are; move lively, menu
He watched them swing like magic into
formation. their dust-begrimed faces light
ing up with animation. They knew their
officer and this meant business.
"Cnsling carbines-load.'
Weir, the veteran soldier, glanced down
that steady line of ready troopers, and then
back to Brants face. do you mesn it?
Are you going up those bluffs? uood
heavens, man, it will mean court-mar-
tial."
,, Custer commands the 18th. I command
the pack train said Brant His orders
are to bring up the packs. Perhaps | can't
get through alone. but I'll try. Better a
couru-martial than to fail those men out
there. (IOlug2 OF I'm going nj
line-take inteTvals-forward."
Attention, Troop" 1t was Weir's
voice, eager and determined now. Like an
undamned current his orders rang out above
the uproar and in a moment the gallant
troopers of n and D. some on foot, some in
saddle, Were rushing up the face OF the
bluff, their officers leading. the precious am
munition packs at the center, all alike
scramb!ing for the summit, in spite of the
cracking of Indian rifles from every side
| Foot by foot they fought their way for
! ward, sliding and stumbling until the little
! blue wave burst out against the skyline
! and sent an eXultant cheer back to those
below. Painting, breathless from the hard
climb, their carbineS splitting fire while the
rapidly maSsing savages began circling their
exposed position, the little band fought their
way forward hundred yards Then they
halted, blocked by the numbers barring
their path, glancing back anxiously in hope
that their effort would encourage others to
join them. They could do it; they could do
1t If only the rest of the boys would come
They poured in their volleys and waited
But Reno made no move. Weir and Brant.
determined to hold every inch thus gained,
threw the dismounted men on their faces
behind every projection of earth, and en-
circled the ridge with flame. If they could
| not advance, they would not be driven back
They were high up now, where they could
overlook the numerous ridges and valleys
far around; and yonder perhaps two miles
away, they could perceive vast bodies of
| mounted Indians. while the distant sound
fni, fltv hi,
ears. 1t was vengeful savages shooting
into the bodies of the dead, but that they
did not know. Messenger after messenger
taking life in hand, was sent skurrying
down the bluff. to beg reinforcements to
push on for the rescue, swearing it was
possible. But it was after o'clock before
Reno moved. Then cautiously he advanced
| his column toward where n and ID Troops
| yet held desperately to the exposed ridge.
| He came too late. That distant firing had
| ceased, and all need for further advance
| had ended Already vast forces of Indians,
| flushed with victory and waving bloody
| scall3s, were sweeping back across the
| ridges to attack in force Scarcely had re-
i Inducements attained the summit before
| the torrent of savagery burst screeching on
/ their front.
From point to point the grim struggle
| ragged, till nightfall wrought partial cessa-
| ton. The wearied troopers stretched out
| their lines so as to protect the packs and
| the field hospital. threw themselves on the
|
| tin pans. Not until o'clock did the Indian
| fire slacken, and then the village became a
| scene of savage revel the wild yelling
| plainly audible to the soldiers above
| Through the black night Brant stepped
| carefully across the recumbent forms of his
men and made his way to the field hospital
| In the glare of the single fire the red scar
| of bullet showed clearly across his fore
| head, but he wiped away the slowly trick
| ling blood and bent over a form extended
! on a blanket
Has he reused up?" he questioned OF the
| trooper on guard.
Not to know nuthin', sir. He's bin
swearin' an gurglin' most o. Their time, but
! he's asleep now. L reckon"
The young officer stood silent, his face
| pale, his gaze upon the distant Indian fires.
! out yonder were defeat, torture, death. and
! tomorrow meant a renewal of the struggle.
! His heart was heavy with forebodng, his
| memory far away with one to whom all this
| misfortune might come almost as death
| blow. 1t Naidas questioning face that
! haunted him; she waiting for she
| knew not what.
| Go be Continued Tomorrow