The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1914-06-04
JOE BAKERS
GIRL
by M. QUAD
Copyright 1873. BY Associated Lit
arary Press
By NJ QUAp

AhAA Wh& NA@ way BIC VINE ASA~AArl
to in a general way-"JOe Bakers girl
and there were plenty OF soldiers
teamsters and others who did not
know that her name was Mary.
A girl or about eighteen when
knew her-silght. blue eyes, short
curly hair, strong face. dressed for
climbing. riding and walking, and one
who commanded both admiration and
respect the moment you laid eyes on
her She had a handshake for officer
and private alike. and 10 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 Il month
when a sergeants guard was dis
patched 10 East Butte to cut and hazel
telegraph poles for the line which was
10 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 were fired into
at midnight and routed out Of camp
with the loss OF two men killed. We
We're 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 no sooner sheltered by the
cabin than Il was clear that we must
stand a Siege before the door could
be opened again.
well" said Joe Bakers gal when
we had canvasseo our situation and its
chances. 1--WE must put up with things
as they are and do our best. The In
dams have encircled the cabin and win
be on the watch the rest Of the night.
but they win make no move til day
light comes. Let as sleep II we can"
She went 10 her room, and the four
OF US lay down on the floor and mapped
until daylight came.
In the iar1er there were about five
pounds of bacon. nothing else. There
WIS no telling bow long we should be
cooped up 10 live on those scant ra-
lions. and by common consent we
went without breakfast The Indians
cooked their morning meal Ia a leisure
IL manner and ii was some time after
sunrise before they made their Hrst
move IL was band with Chief Char
he 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
be called az the cabin on various occa-
sions and had been Hospitality received.
lie was therefore probably In earnest
when he advanced alone and unarmed
to within few feet OF the cabin and
said % Mary:
1--WE nrc on the warpath against the
whites, and we mean to kin. XIII. XII
until All are dead or driven away.
Your father saved my life. and an In.
dian never forgets. do not want harm
to come TO you, and you shall take
your horses and ride away TO the fort
ia safety
But what about the soldiersY she
asked from one OF the loopholes.
They cannot go" he replied. The
soldiers are here 10 make whr on us
10 shoot ns down. to make us obey or
ders we do not like. We have only
hatred for them. know how many
there are In there-four They have
their guns and win fight. but we shall
kin every one. Come out, and we VIII
send you safely away
II shall remain here and help the sol
dIers 10 eight your answered the girl.
Then you win be killed with theml"
The chief turned away and went
back 70 his warriors. and ten minutes
later there was circle or FIRE all about
the cabin. IL was not long before two
Of the soldiers were dead.
With only three OF us left 10 guard
the cabin, another attack must over
come us. IL 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 ms as before. The demons were on
the roof and battering az the door and
firing In upon us from some OF the
loopholes, when suddenly things turn
ca dark with me
There WIS 80 more lighting that
night. Consumed by thirst and rack |
"a with pain. I remember nothing ex-
capt that Mary spoke hopeful and sym |
pathetic words now and then, and that |
she had the guns distributed around so |
as 10 cover as many loopholes MS pos
sibfe in case OF an attack. When |
came the Indians asked for |
parley and offered 20 send her TO the |
fort. l did not know Il, being out Of |
nv head with fever. She scorned the
Offer, and for three hours the cabin |
was under a heavy lire. A rush would |
have followed the eusillade, but as
hey were gathering for ii half troop
Of cavalry from the fort. headed by
Toe Baker, came gallopIng 20 the res
rue, and the Indians were routed. Il |
was ten days before knew all
bout It.
A great Indian war was upon the
and. the girl had been sent hundreds
)f miles away for safety, and when