Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-30


 post. AS he went he pulled dry grass until his arms were full. Arrived be- side the barracks, he began to pile the grass against the pine wall.
 In the blackness BrannOn lay peace ful. The sentries were announcing their cheery "All's well"
 The interpreter had reached the herd, where he was taking the rope hobbies from the fore legs of several horses. This done he climbed into herder's saddle and headed the band slowly up the bottom land. Nearly all the anil mals had seen long service. so they went tamely enough. Where the road along the hank turned west to cross the bluffs through a break they took it and were soon over the ridge and out upon the prairie. There Matthews started them south. Finally a mile or more below the line of the stockade he completed his wide detour by driving them due east. Beside the Missouri he rounded them up and brought them to a stand.
 He tied the horse he had ridden to some willows. Next. having unwound several rope lengths from about his waist. he began to catch and tie oth- CTS of the bunch. He had rope for only ten. The hobbies fastened three more. The remaining horses were gen- tie, all but the one belonging to Fra ser. Matthews, swearing in English and Uncapapa, tried every device he knew, but failed to catch her.
 He dared not waste another minute. Quickly he wound some grass into twist. lit 1t and waved it back and forth above his head three times, after which, as q precaution, he took flask 1 from his hind pocket and going from horse to horse of the string. to the ! hobbled three and to the half dozen that were standing loose, rubbed their muzzles with the liquor. But again he was unable to touch the ''She i Devil" In fury he threw the empty flask at her
 From his hiding place beside the bar racks the Indian in squaw's dress saw i the signal torch of the interpreter. At once he sneaked from side to side to listen. Then he took a wisp of grass, | bound round it a strip of oily cloth and kneeling beside the bundle farthest from the river set match to it. h. stantly flames leaped up. He ran to other grass piles, lighting them one by one.
 The next moment an amazed sentry who was pacing his beat by the scouts huts saw the growing bonfires and called out in alarm to another. Before the latter could reply the end of the barracks was burning. Both sentries fired their guns The sergeant of the guard answered with revolver shots. The Gatllngs spoke from the lookouts. trumpet shrilled the fire alarm. From the suffers sounded the clang of the mess gong.
 In the midst of the tumult one spot ! the stockade-kept strangely quiet. Its guards were collected at the sliding panel, from where. not daring to leave, they watched the growing blaze. So intent were they upon the sight that they took no heed of their prisoners. Therefore no one knew or hindered when the Indian braves. led by Stand ing Buffalo and nOiseless as shad- Ows, filed into Brown Mink's wickiup, crawled through the breach in the log wall and sped away into the shielding dark
 Behind the squaws and childrcn were gathered, with the Indian girl walking boldly among them. Of q sudden they parted. From under the shingle roof there was sound Of struggling. thump as a body hit the ground. an old woman's squeal Of rage Then into the faint glare reflect cd from the fire came stopping fig ure in squaw's dress that sped through the scattering crowd. shot into Brown Mlnk's tent and was gone.
 Across the prairie Matthews was fol- lowing after inc flighty cayuse. not trying to catch her. only striving to get her out of the way. Buckskin was willful. however. and as often as the angry interpreter drove her of came circling saucily back to halt In the path of the coming braves. The string by the willows. the hObbled horses and the gentle free ones, were fright ened by her into stamping abort. But the whisky biting their noses killed the hated scent that was nearing. Not so with the cayuse. She caught it. For a moment she waited. head high. ears a-quiver, nostrils spread. Matthews warned the Indians. They did not hear. As they raced on the mare gave a snort of terror. wheeled and launch cd herself full against the end animal of the string.
 The tetheTed horses set hack upon their ropes. trampling each other and pulling themselves free. The gentle ones. thOroyg,hly scared. went iingIng away with them. while the hObbIeI. with no COW pony respect for rope, made up mad. plunging rear.
 COnsternati0n seized the Sioux. They were without boats. without weapons. without horses. They cursed They threatened Matthews.
 Gross. croSs-- he cried. Your bows are in my wood lodge The soldiers have 10 horses and no boats They cannot swim the river You will be safe
 The Indians rushed hack to where hammers had been ringing for days past They tore away boards of the scafOld Then returning to the river.