The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1912-08-03

distances so as TO give room for saber
play. The gray da already revealed
our surroundings clearly the ash COW
cred roadway. the bushes along its
edge. the row OF trees beyond. n long
tobacco shed at the left. the half opeu
gate almost directly In front.
As We whirled recklessly about the
corner. every man riding low. every
eve forward. we saw the enemy at the
edge of u grove some kneeling. others
standing. II was merely n glimpse.
and then they 6red-an instant too
quick perhaps-the irregular cracking
showing lack of discipline. the cloud
of smoke hiding them again from us,
l felt my horse leap as II touched:
two or three In our front rank ven
down. hut there was no halting. My
mount caught his stride. and I drove
in the spur. Yelling the charge. hear
ing the thunder of hoofs behind min
Cled with an exultant cheer from the
men.
We drove through the rising smoke
like a t~hunderbolt md were on them.
our reviewers splitting ~viciously to
right and left. u horses paving at
the fleeing figures and at the cluhhed
muskets with which they sought to
fight us back. We went through them
as II they had beer paper; some ran
for the fields. scrambling over a
irnce. but the main body. still
punched together. firing ms rapidly as
they could reload. Dodd cursin: IN
the midst OF them. made for the shei.
ter of the grape arbor. The fierceness
of our rush carried US through the
grove out On to the turf of the open
lawn, the men struggling with their
horses In an effect to reform. Out
from the front door sprang the four
troopers left within. running eagerly
for the riderless animals. while the
two guards from the negro cabin
came squirting madly around the cor.
ner of the house. anxious to Join
their comrades. Half formed. the men
squirting their frenzied horses into
some semblance of lire. we swept
down upon the fleeing guerrillas. seek
ing to overtake them before they
could attain shelter. 1t was a helter-
skelter race, the hang or musketry
~punctuated by the sharp revolver re-
ports and the shouts and yells of the
combatants We reached the ear
riding them down remorse-
lessly. but our horses swerved at the
arbor entrance, two piunging forward.
throwing their riders. the others de-
b%ouching sharply TO the left. the troop.
ers sawing at the reins In vain effort
at control.
1t was fully daylight now. every
surrounding object clear to the eye.
and my little squad circled about, in
stinctively forming themselves for
another charge. swept them with
my eyes. debating whether to try an
advance on horseback or TO dlsmount
and endeavor on foot 10 dislodge the
enemy. suddenly O'Brien swept his
hand to the east. and | perceived a
party of horsemen emerging from the
woods. breaking into u sharp trot the
instant they attained The open ground.
The movement was plain enough
Theilen had arrived. already under
stood the situation and was pushing
his force forward to strike us In the
rear.
Close up. men. By fours into line!
Eide for the gate and the road beyond.
Corporal. take the lead, and | will
cover the rear. Don't spare your
horses"
Every man knew. realized fully. the
peril threatening us. Dodd's gang had
not yet perceived the advance OF re-
endorsements and We're holding their
fire. expecting us TO charge. Instead,
we wheeled to the right and rode
straight at the open gate. Behind US.
out not yet within shooting distance.
we could already hear the pounding
OF the hoofs of Tbeilen's column as
they spurred forward in pursuit. A
few muskets parked from the grape
arbor. Some fellow lying hidden In a
corner of the fence let drive. sending
the corporal headlong. Then we were
outside on The hard packed road. the
men riding ~recklessly. bent low over
their pommels. urging their horses to
the utmost.
must have been dfty feet to the rear
aud. trusting to my horse. half turned
about In the saddle so as to watch
our pursuers. | never knew what hap
pened. whether the animal stumbled
or fell from a wound. but everything
blotted U In an instant as l came
crashing down to earth. My last men,
DRY was OF seeing Theilen's horsemen
crowding through the gate. n hundre
yards away. yelling and shaking their
ms
l was In an invalid's chair when
came back to consciousness. lying as
though upon a bed. yet fully dressed.
Some way as my hands CROPPED about.
telling me this. for everything was
speckled before my eyes. | thought OF
Judge Dunn aud OF the chair in which
he sat when ! last saw him. | felt a
dull ache extending through both body
and head. and slowly the distiguring
mist cleared from before my eyes. and
l began distinguishing objects. The
room was large and square. having