The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-07-05

| crowded about tnelT QeIlFefert dnC
wideeyed children stared at him in a
friendly way, understanding but little
of it all except that the newcomer was
desirable person.
It took Lee but little time to over.
come the hesitation of the few suS-
picious ones. The plan he proposed
was too plainly their only way of
escape from a terrible death. Their
animals had been shot down or run
off so that they could neither advance
nor retreat. Their ammunition was
almost gone, so that they could not
give battle. And, lastly, their proyi-
sions were low, with no chance to re-
plenish them; for on the south was
the most to be dreaded of all Ameri-
can deserts, while on the north they
had for some reason unknown to
themselves been unable to buy of the
abundance through which they passed.
Arrangements for the departure
were quickly completed under Lees
supervision. In one wagon were piled
the guns and pistols of the emigrants.
together with half a dozen men who
had been wounded in the four days
| fighting. In the other wagon a score
of the smaller children were placed,
some with tear-stained faces, some
crying, and some gravely apprehen.
sive. At Lees command the two wag-
ons moved forward After these the
women followed. marching singly or
IN pairs; some with Fttle bundles OF
their most precious belongings; some
carrying babes too young to be sent
ahead in the wagon A few had kept
even their older children to walk be-
side them, fearing some evil-they
knew not what.
one such, a young woman near the |
last of the line, was leading by the
hand little girl e three or four, while
on her left there marched a sturdy, |
plnk-taced boy of seven or eight |
whose almost white hair and eye
broWs gave him look of fright which
his demeanOr belied. The woman,
looking anxiously back over her shout.
der to the line of men, spoke warning.
" 70 the hoy nc tho live r,o,,oJ a,a-,Eo.
forward.
Take her other hand and stav
close. I'm afraid something will han
pen-that man who came is not an
honest man. / tried to tell them hut
they wouldn't believe me. Keen her
hand in yours. and if anvtbinq doas
happen, run right hack thara and fry
to find her father. Remember now
just as if she were YOUR own little
sister"
The boy answered stoutlv with
5hrewd glances about for noesibIo
danger.
"Of course III stay bv her 7
run away. If ia only had n
gun" he continued in tonae of rooro,
'ul enthusiasm. 81 know 7 could have
shot some Of those Tndians-but tbooo
what do you call them?-Normone
heyll keep the Indians awav now"
But emember-don't leave INV
,hild, for I'm afraid-something warns A
ne"
Farther back the others had now
allen in, so that the wboIa comronv
vas in motion. The two wagons wera ,
n the lead; then came tho women. =,
md some distance hack of tbooo r
rallied the line of men. q
When the latter reached the Mace n
where the coIur,n of ,,,i,.t:a
rawn up in line by the roadside tboy o
wung their hats and chaarod tbo;. =,
again and again tho oboor,
ang in tones that were fun If gcati, =
ude As thov rossod sou
1ormon stepped to the side Of each =
ian and walked with him tbuc con. "
incing the last doubter of their sin. =
Gritty in wishing to guard them from =
ny unexpected attack nv the Indians =.
In such fashion marched the lone :.
,osely extended line until tho roor y.
ad gone some two hundred Yards :,
way from the circle of wagons A. -.
le head, the two wagons con+oirina :,