The log cabin Democrat., 1909-11-05


 towards it at mad pace, but in the strictest order and perfectly aligned. went the column. Suddenly Grizzly | Joe fell back to Eames' side. He | touched his mpanion's arm and pointed away to the left, where they saw in cloud of dust another party of horsenen bound in the same di- rection as themselves.
 There they are" said he, "the boys Comanche Charley has collected. Nothing the matter with him or them, you bet. There ain't man on the plains that knows Indians better than | Comanche; and then his hearts broke along of 'em, and he's wild to have his revenge. Every one of the lads he has with him Is a fighter too, from hun dred miles of way back. I know them, Harry, and blast me If we don't | give them hell-hounds the biggest | thrashing they've had in ten years" Soon they were halted, and Com. | anche Charley's party was with them, | the leader never taking his hungry eyes off the horizon ahead. The halt was made at the north side of the hill or detached mesa, which sheltered the ranch from the winds; and here a con. l sultation was held. The order was | given to form line and the two com. panies were ranged side by side, with the officers in front Then they started, each taking one side of the hill and 1 Comanche Charley's party making . long detour, with the intention of com ing in well to the rear of the Indians. who were understood to be mainly on the south side of the ranch Eames went with the second company, and they had hardly proceeded 100 yards before the rattle of steadily sustained firing fell upon their ears. The cap tain beckoned to Joe, with whom. after he had halted his men, he rode cautiously ahead. Soon they returned, and the frontiersman approached Flames and drew him to the flank O! the company.
 "Mv boy" he said earnestly, you are going under fire. Are you all right?"
 Flames nodded cheerfully. T told you I was going to make good. and ! l AOoPohaON
 Well" said Joe. with sigh. shake hands. and God bless you"
 At a trot the company moved on. | They cleared the hill, and the ranch was before them, surrounded on three sides by large body of Indians. Its defenders were evidently hard pressed. but they were making an obstinate re- SiCtn ha hvy thA flashes of the rifles fired from within the building. Flames had hardly time to glace at the scene, and hear his friend the lieutenant say as he looked | at him win a smile. Big thing" when the captain returned in his saddle and in ringing tones gave the anxiously expected order to charge. Instantly all the pent-up excitement of the men burst forth and, with wild yell, they hurled themselves upon the enemy.
 There followed a turmoil of shots, groans and shrieks Flames found him. self in the thickest of the pandemo- nium and striving to do his part, saw fierce hand-to-hand encounters saw savage, painted faces distorted with rage or pain: saw friend and foe go down together. Then, through the smoky cloud, he became conscious of the charge of the other company and the wild onset of Comanche Charley's men, with blazing revolvers and deep curses, their leader, like an averaging demon, apparently bearing a charmed life and taking deliberate aim before each deadly shot. To Eames' unaccus- toned vision the whole affair ap- peared rather like the rapid passing of events in some hideos nightmare. He fired and loaded his gun automati. cally, until something seemed to snap within his head, the blood mounted to his brain and he caught the spirit of the fiercest, yelling hoarsely as he dashed forward by Grizzly Joe's side into the midst of a group of Indians making the last stand. This group of the enemy was composed of young warriors at bay and neither asking or giving quarter: and the major himself led the charge on them. It was sue. cessfully achieved; the road to the house was open, and Eames made . rush for 1t. Although as he passed he had seen Grizzly Joe reel slightly in his saddle, and saw Comanche Charlie spring to his friends side, it did not occur to him that the frontiersman was badly wounded. for the thought of meeting his sister had taken complete | possession of him. In another instant she was clinging to him, while his | father held one hand and "Old Buck Roberts" was saying eXcitedly:
 "Pluckiest little girl I ever see. Why, blame me, if she didn't load for us-load for us. do you hear?"
 Iris" said Eames. come and see the man to whom you owe your res cue"
 She went with him. Grizzly Joe lay on the ground, Comanche Charley SUD- porting his head. and the military sur geon kneeling beside him. They reached the spot just as the doctor