The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-01-30
JOE BAKERS
GIRL
By N. QUAD
Copyright. 1913. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

liz a Wv ~ 'AS Nuo
10 in Il general way-''.Joe Bakers girl"
and there were plenty Of soldiers.
transfers and others who did not
know that her name was Mary.
A girl of about eighteen when
knew her-slight. blue eyes. short.
curly hair, Il strong face. dressed for
climbing. riding and walking. and N
who commanded both admiration and
respect the moment you laid eyes on
her. She had a handshake for officer
and private alike. and to us and all
others who came that way she was a
border queen.
For weeks the Indians of Idaho had
been sulky and sullen and threatening.
We had not seen the girl for a month
when q s%ergeant's guard was dis
patched to East Butte to cut and haul
telegraph poles for the line which was
to connect the fort with the outside
world.
Two miles east Of the cabin we
made our camp and began work, but
the Indians were ready sooner than
we had planned for. On the Second
night Of our stay we We're fired into
at midnight and routed out Of camp
with the loss Of two men killed. We
were falling back in the direction Of
Bakers cabin when we were Joined
by Mary. The Indians pressed us
every foot of the way. and but for the
darkness of the night and the girls
familiarity with the lay of the ground
not one of us would have escaped.
We were nc sooner sheltered by the
cabin than it was clear that we must
stand a siege before the door could
be opened again.
"Well.'' said Joe Bakers gal when
we had canvassed our situation and it's
chances, 1--WE must put up with things
as they are and do u best. The In
dams have encircled the cabin and will
be on the watch the rest of the night.
but they will make no move till day
light comes. Let US sleep II we can"
She went to her room. and the four
Of us lay down on the floor and mapped
until daylight came.
In the larder there were about five
pounds of bacon. nothing else. There
was no telling how long we should be
cooped up to live on those scant ra-
lions. and by common consent we
went without breakfast. The Indians
cooked their morning meal in a leisure
ly manner. and it was some time after
sunrise before they made their first
move. 1t was u band with Chief Char
lie in command. and he knew Baker
and the gal even better than we did.
Baker had hunted with him and on
one occasion had saved his life. and
he called at the cabin on various occa-
sions and had been Hospitality received.
He was therefore probably in earnest
when he advanced alone and unarmed
to within a few feet Of the cabin and
said to Mary:
I'VE are IN the warpath against the
whites. and we lean to kill. kill, kill
until all are dead or driven away.
Your father saved my life. and an In
dian never forgets. l do not want harm
to come to you. and you shall take
your horses and ride away to the fort J
in safety"
But what about the soldiers?" she
asked from one Of the %l0opholes.
''They cannot 60" he replied. 1.-The
soldiers are here to make war on us
to shoot us down.. to make us obey "r-
ders we do not like. We have only
hatred for them. know how many
there are in therAfOur. They have
their guns and wilt light. bur we shat;
kill every one. Come ont. and we will
send you safely away"
II shall remain here and help the SOL !
diers to fight you!' answered the girl.
'Then you will be killed with them"
The chief turned away and went
back to his warriors, and ten minutes
later there was a circle or fire all about |
the cabin. 1t was not long before two 4
Of the soldiers were dead.
With only three of us left to guard
the cabin. another attack must over.
come us. 1t was hours before we heard
from the Indians again. and we were
almost certain that they had drawn OF. |
when, an hour before sunset and with
out the slightest warning. they rushed
for US as before. The demons were on
the roof and battering at the door and
firing in upon us from some Of the |