The Oakes times., 1913-08-21
horse and the others.


lorses!" unused Auberry. chuckling.
Then in the same breath he called:
Look out! Look!"
We all saw it. Orme's arm shot ont
straight. tipped hy blue puff of
smoke. and we heard the crack OF the
dragon pistol. One of the Sioux. the
chief who by this time had mounted
his horse, threw his hand against his
chest and taned slightly back. then
Strengthened up slightly as he sat AS
he fell. or before he fell, Orme pushed
his body clear from the saddle and
with a leap was in the dead mans
place and riding swiftly toward us,
leading his own horse by the rein.
1t seemed that it was the Sioux who
had kept faith after all, for none Of the
remaining three could find weapon.
Orme rode up laughing and unconcern-
ed. The beggar wouldn't trade with
me at ALL" he said. by Jove. l be-
lieve he'd have got me if he'd had any
sort Of tools for it,
you broke treaty." calculated Bel
knap-"you broke the council word!"
at you?" Auberry bazed at him.
"How can l tell?" answered Orme
cOolly. ITS as we'll to be tritle ahead
in such matters" He seemed utterly
unconcerned. He could kill man as
lightly as rabbit and think no more
about it.
Within the instant the entire party
in,
saw them running about, mounting.
heard them shouting and wailing.
Its fight now!" said Auberry
Back to the wagons now and get
your men ready. lieutenant. AS soon
as the Sioux can get shut Of their wc-
men they'll come on. and come boil
In too. You blankod fool.'' he hissed
to Orme. You murdered that man,
"What's that, my good fellow?" said
Orme sharply Now, advise you to
keep civil tongue in your head or I'll
teach you some manners"
Even as we swung and rode back
Auberry pushed alongside Orme, his
rifle at ready. Young man. if you
want to teach me any manners begin
cried.
Belknap spurred in between them.
Here. you men," he commanded, with
swift sternness, Into your places. I'm
in command here, and I'll shoot the
first man who raises hand Mr.
Orme. take your place at the wagons.
Auberry, keep with me. Well have
| fSrE mo uI, VT hi, r,f
this"
He murdered that Sioux, lieuten-
ant" reiterated Auberry.
"Dash it. sir, l know he did, but this
is no time to argue about that. Look
there!'
We saw the Sioux separate into two
bands. the men remaining behind, rid
ing back and forth. whooping and
holding aloft their weapons. We heard
the note of Il dull war drum beating.
They'll fight" said Auberry. Look
at 'em!"
Here they come" said Belknap cool
ly. Get down. men,"
They came on then swung out
around us, their horse line ripping up
over the broken ground apparently as
easily as it had gone on the level floor
of the valley.
Tell us when to fire, Auberry."
heard Belllnap say. for he had practi-
caly given over the situation to the
old plainsnlan. At last ! heard the
voice Of Auberry. changed from that of
an old man into the quick, clear ac
cents of youth. sounding hard and
clear. Ready now. Each fellow pick
his own man and kill him. Dye hear
kill him"
Our troopers were armed with the
worthless old Spencer carbines. and
doubt if these did much execution. but
there were some good old Hawkin ri
hes and old big bored Yagers and more
modern Sharps' rifles and other buffalo
guns Of one sort or another with us,
among the plainsmcn and teamsters,
and when these spoke there came
breaks in the Haunting line that sought
to hedge us. The Sioux dropped be-
hind their horses bodies. firing as they
rode. some with rifles, more with bows
and arrows. Most Of our work was
uohC lASJ loppCo iouSh Fiouhu
close on our left. and we saw here a
half dozen bodies lying limp, fat and
ragged. though presently other riders
came and dragged them away.
At hundred yards their arrows
fell extraordinarily close to the mark
and time and again they spiked our
mules and horses with these kissing
shafts that quivcred where they struck
They came near breaking our rear In
this way. for our men fell into con.
fusion. the horses and mules plunging
and trying to break away.
was crowding ball down my rife
with its hickory rod when felt 8
shove at my arm and heard a voice al
my ear. Cit out Of the way. man
How can see to shoot If you bob youl
head acrost my sights all the tfme?"
There stood old Mandy McGovern
her long brown rife half raised. She
was as cool as any man in the line
and as deadly.
"Git in here. git in here. son."
heard her cry. And to my wonde
now 1 saw the long. lean figure O
Andrew Jackson McGovern come for
ward. carbine clutched in his hand