Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-01-02
"rhe coloners library is strip

Top. ue cOiOnelS library 10 Stlip- |
pedr'
So it was. One hurried look by the !
light of lamp showed that not bow, |
not an arrow, remained on the walls.
But there was no time for exclaim- |
ing or conjecturing. Oliver rushed
back to the gallery and babe all the |
women and children collect and keep |
within quarters. Around 1t. under Ser
geant Kippis, he stationed Gordon. |
Next, and while the house was being
thoroughly wet down, the ammunition
stores We're drawn upon, and extra
guns and cartridges were carried into
the long reception room, where the
women could assist in reloading Bare
ly three minutes had passed since OIL
yer sent his messengers. But head
quarters was fixed to Withstand an
assault and to protect its inmates.
And now, still ignorant of what had
befallen, he ordered the remainder OF
his men into line.
At this point, with ne detachment
about TO move, a volley of rifle shots
sounded from the Stockade, another
and another. Then up went great
hubbub: THE Indians, the Indians"
Oliver started his troopers double
quick across the square. AT the hospi-
tai one of the stockade guard stopped
them.
THE Indiansi" croaked Oliver.
"Gonev'
Oliver turned back
They met a second man. black faced,
staggering, frenzied with alarm. 1t
was Fraser. He caught at the cap
tain's ragged sleeve.
"Shot-other side-they're over there
those girls-those girls His breath
failed him.
Oliver saw the need. 'gTo the ferry"
he commanded
Like one man they bounded headlong
across the parade. through the red
smoke pouring from barracks and sta
bles and on, only to come short upon
bOatless landing, where they crowded
upon each other and cursed.
Fraser was half crazed Oliver took
him forcibly in hand. No man of them
all. even If not burdened with gun,
could stem the rivers current
There's one chance yet" he said,
''the night herd" He turned to his
trumpeter. Sound the recall and keep
Astounding it,
Again and again the familiar strain
rang out. All looked northward to
where they knew the herd had been,
to where the long curves of the prairie
fire We're still moving.
But the minutes went. and there was
no answering beat OF hoofs. Where
We're the herders? Why did they not
obey?
Again, again and again.
Then to the south reply! Above
the spiteful cracking of the tindery
buildings. out of the thinning dark,
came clear. eager neigh,
That way the troopers rushed. Gath
ring at the flagstaff they saw by the
light of the burning piles a single
horse come galloping toward them
from the direction of the stockade
Her dun neck was arched like a
| chargers. AS she swung proudly into
| an maginary line the men greeted her
with a cheer.
That greeting was echoed. Until now
the Indians had been quiet, as quiet rs
flock of scurrying grouse. But the
| river was between them and their enc
| my, and they felt secure from pursuit.
| Moreover, whisky was working. They
were boisterous with it. Casting eau
| ton aside when they heard that cheer,
| they answered with defiant whoops.
| The cheers of the troopers changed
to anguished groans. One, wildly re-
! peating a girls name, sprang toward
the waiting Buckskin. From head
| quarters came the sobbing of women,
the whimpering of frightened children
and then, nearer and nearer, dull
pounding that swelled into the steady
| plud, plud of unshod hoofs.
Once more Il cheer went up. A mo.
ment and cavalcade swept in, RI
derless cayalcade, with ropes dangling
| 1t was the night herd, the discarded
second choice mounts of the regiments
officers, a motley band that had served
their country through more than one
enlistment, and that, hearing the ia