Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-20

HtHffYW above the babel like a bell,
EaatsE2W Oliver stood to windward Of
the double furnace, giving quick or
ders on right and left.
1.-TWO men there on the majors quar-
ters. Let the guardhouse go. Use your
blanket, Flaherty; use your blanket.
Sergeant" as Kippis passed close by,
"clear the row and bring 'em all down
here. Don't let 'cln stop for anything.
Boys. boys. turn out those horses!"
A trooper rushed up and leaned, yell
ing, to his captains ear. "They won't
go, sir; they're hamstrung!'
Once more Oliver rave tongue, and
directions were sent to the stockadc
municated with the lookouts on the
bluffs.
Kippis was already fulfilling his
charge. Through a gap in the north
ward sweeping prairie fire-a gap
fought out and kept open by n line Of
men-vcre coming the women of
Clothespin row, each carrying a child
and dragging a second by the hand.
Behind them scuttled the papoosc cuin-
bered squaws from the scouts huts.
At their rear trudgcd the sergeant,
also weighted, and jaunty no longer,
but leaving red stains whore his naked
feet touched the hot and smoldering
ground.
"To headquarters.' shouted the cap
tain at the foremost %laundress in the
rout. Then he turned to his trumpet
or. A moment after, the fires and the
perishlng horses were deserted, and
the troopers, weapons in hand, ran out
upon the parade ground, obeying a
call to arms.
Oliver led them. As he approached
the flagstaff the voice of a woman
hailed him from the gallery OF the
nearest house. He sprang that way
and was up the steps at a bound.
Mrs. Cummings. who had sought ref
uge in her own home, met him at the
top. The colonel's library is strip
ped!'
SO it was. One hurried look by the
light Of a lamp showed that not a 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
ONE and children collect and keep
within quarters. Around it, under Ser
geant Kippis. he stationed a Gordon.
Next, and while the house was being
thoroughly wet down. the ammunition
stores were drawn upon, and extra
guns and cartridges were carried into
the long reception room, where the
ono could assist in reloaGing. Bare
~ three minutes had passed since Oil
yer sen 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 the detachment
about to move, a volley of rifle shots
sounded from the stockade, another
and another. Then up went a 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 Indians:' croaked Oliver.
"Gone."
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-thev're over there
those glrls-thoSe girls His breath
failed him.
Oliver saw the need. "To the ferry
he commanded.
Like one man they bounded headlong
across the parade. through the red
smoke pouring from barracks and sta
bles and N, only TO come short upon a
noatless landing. where they crowded
upon each other and cursed.
Fraser was half cra2ed. Oliver took
him forcibly in hand. No man of them
all. even if not burdened with Il 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,'