The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1907-11-07
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
Dunwoodie's men had often tried their
prowess against the enemy, and they now
sat painting to be led once more against
foes who they seldom charged in vain.
Their wishes were to be gratifed; for a
body of the enemy soon came sweeping
round the base of the hill which intersect-
ed the view to the south. A few minutes
enabled the major to distinguish their
character. In one troop he saw the green
coats of the Cowboys, and in the other
the leathern helmets and wooden saddles
Of the yagers. Their numbers were about
equal to the body under his immediate
orders. On reaching the open space near
the cottage of Harvey Birch, the enemy
halted and drew up his men in line. At
this moment a column Of foot appeared in
the vale, and pressed forward.
Major Dunwoodie at once saw his ad-
vantage. The column he led began slowly
to retire from the field, when the youth
full German, who commanded the enemy's
horse, fearful of missing an easy con-
quest, gave the word to charge. Few
troopers were more hardy than the Cow
boys; they sprang eagerly forward in the
pursuit, with a confidence created by the
retiring foe and the column in their rear
the Hessians followed more slowly, but
in better order. The trumpets of the Vir-
ginians now sounded long and lively
they were answered by a strain from a
party in ambush that went to the hearts
of their enemies. The column Of Dun
wrodie wheeled in perfect order. opened,
and, as the word charge was given, the
troops of Lawton emerged from their
cover.
Tho charge threatened too much for
the refugee troop. They scattered in ev-
cry direction, flying from the field as fast
as their horses could carry them. Only.
a few were hurt but such as did meet
the arms of their avenging countrymen
never survived the blow. 1t was upon
the poor vassals of the German tyrant
that the shock fell. Disciplined to the
most exact obedience, these ill-fated men
met the charge bravely, but they were
swept before the mettled horss and nerv-
Gus arms of their antagonists like chaff
before the wind. Many of them were lit
orally ridden down, and Dunwoodie soon
saw the field without an opposing foe
The lawn in front of the Locusts was
hidden from the view of the road by a
close line of shrubbery, and the horses of
the two dragons had been left, lin
together, under it's shelter. Two Cow
boys, who had been cut off from retreat
to their own party, rode furiously through
the gate, with an intention of escaping to
the open wood in the rear Of the cottage.
The victorious Americans pressed the
retreating Germans until they had driven
them under the protection of the fire of
the infantry; and feeling themselves, in
the privacy of the lawn, relieved from
any immediate danger, the predatory war
riors made toward their intended prizes,
by ali almost spontaneous movement
They were busily engaged in separating
the fastenings of the horses when the
trooper on the piazza discharged his pis-
tol, and rushed sword in hand, to the
rescue.
The entrance Of Caesar into the parlor
had induced the wary dragoon within to
turn his attention more closely on his
prisoner: but this new interruption drew
him again to the window. lie threw his
body out of the building, and endeavored
by his threats and appearance to frighten
the marGuders from their prey. The mo-
ment was enticing Three hundred Of his
comrades were within a mile of the cot
tGge; unriddcn horses were running at
large in every direct On, and Henry Whar-
ton seized the uncon scious sentinel by the
legs and threw him headlong into the
lawn. Cesar vanished from the room,
and drew a bolt of the outer door.
The fall of the soldier was not great,
and recovering his feet, he turned his fury
for a moment on his prisoner. To scale
the window in the face of such an enemy
was, however, impossible. and on trial he
found the main entrance barred.
His cowrade now called loudly on him
for aid, and forSetful Of everything else,
TIE discounted trooper rushed to his as
s!s;ancc. One horse was instantly lib
Grated, brt the other was already fastened
to the saddle of a Cowboy. and the four
retired behind the building. cutting furi-
ously at each other with their sabres.
Cesar threw the outer door open, and
pointing TO the remaining horse, exclaim-
ed:
Run--now-run-Mass Henry, run"
Yes" cried the youth. as he vaulted
into the saddle, now, indeed, my honest
fellow. is the time to run" He beckoned
hastily to his father. who stood at the
window in speechless anxiety, with his
hands extended toward his child in the at
titude OF benediction, and dashed through
the gate with the rapidity OF lightning.
His horse was oil the best blood of w
ginis. and carried him with the swiftness
~ The wind along the valley; and the
hear, Of the youth was already beating u