Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-03-07

Just in front of u.s. large army vain struggled along
through the yielding sand drawn by yoke of lumber
ing The heavy cover had been pushed
high up in front, and 1 could see number of women
and children seated upon the bedding piled within,
and looking with curious interest at the of In
dans Flooding modify beside the wheels. Some of
the little tots faces captivated with their expression
of Wide-eyed WONDER and rode forward to speak with
them; for love of children is always in my heart.
As turned my horse to draw back beside Made
moisee my eyes rested upon the stoCkade of the old
Fort, some little distance in rear; and my
surprise it already swarrned with savages Not less
than five hundred Indians warriors, all of them, and
well armed -tramped as guards beside our long and
scattered column, yet hundreds of others were
now overrunning the mound and pouring in at the
Fort gates eager for plumber. could hear their shout
ing, their fierce yes of exultation, while the grim and
silent fellows who accompanied us never so much as
glanced around although caught here and there the
CLINT of cruel crafty eye. The sight made wonder;
and I swung my long rifle out from the straps at my
back down across the pommel of my saddle ready
to my hand.
The trail we had been following now swerved nearer
the lake, DETECTED somewhat by long high ridge of
beaten sand, separating the shore from the prairie.
Here the two advancing lines of white and red dverged
the Indians moving around to the western side OF the
cambridge, while Captain Wells and his Miami scouts
continued their march along the beach. There was
nothing about this movement to awaken suspicion OF
reachery for the beach this point had narrowed too
much for great number moving abreast and was
therefore only natural that our allies should seek
wider space for their marching, knowing they could
easily reunite with mile so below, where the
beach broadened again. Their passing thus from
sight positive relief; and so quiet did everything
become, except for groaning wheels and the heavy
tread of horses that MademoiSele glanced up in
prise.
"Why what has become Of the Indians? ?" she ques
toned, "fave they already left us? ?"
l pointed to the intervening cambridge
"They move parallel with US, but prefer to walk
upon the prairie grass rather than these beach pebbles
For my part, I would willingly dispense with their
guard altogether; for in my judgment we of suti
Gent strength to defend ourselves"
Gay, strong enough against savages" interposed
De Croix, his eyes upon the Struggling line ahead;
"yet if by any chance treaChery intended, surely
military formation less adapted for repel
ing sudden attack. Mark how those fellows march
out yonder!-al in a bunch, and with not so much as
a corPoral's guard to protect the wagons"
[ was no soldier then, and knew little of military
formations but his criticism seemed just, and I ven
tured not upon answering it. Indeed, at that very
moment some confusion far in front, where Captain
Wells led his scouts attracted my attention. At first
| could make out little of what taking place ahead;
then suddenly saw the squad of Niams break hastily,
like cloud swept by whirling wind, and the next
instant could clearly distinguish Captain Wells riding
swiftly back toward the column of infantry, his head
bare, and one gesticuating wildly. In moment
the whole line to startled and wondering pause.
''What is it? questioned Mademoiselle anxiously,
shading her eyes. "Have the Indians attacked us?"
Good knowsg' exclaimed, clinching my rifle firmly.
'But it must be-look there!"
Wheeling rapidly into line, if at command al
though could hear sound of the ORDER the soldiers
poured one quick volley into the cambridge their
right and then, with cheer which oated family back
to US made wild rush for the summit This was all