Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1920-03-05
Continued from last week

| do not know what delayed the
attack of the savages, unless they were
waiting for some signal which never
came. / passed from lOOphOle to loop
hole, thus assuring myself not only
that they still remained, but that the
cabin was completely surrounded, al
though the manner in which the war
riOrS had been distributed left the
great mass of them opposite the front.
The others evidently composed mere
guard to prevent escape. No move
ment I could observe indicated an i'm
mediate assault; they rather appeared
to be awaiting something.
Those I saw were all dismounted
and had advanced toward the cabin as
closely as possible without coming
within the range of guns. They had
also sheltered themselves as far as
possible behind clumps of brush. or
ridges of rock, so that [ found it diff
cult to estimate their number. Only
occasionally would q venturesOme
warrior appear for moment in the
open, as he glided stealthily from the
No doubt some were brought within
range of our rifles, as these efforts
were usually made to more advanced
positions, but I. fOrbade firing, in the
vague hope fiat, not hearing from
Kirby, the chiefs might become dis
cOuraged and draw off without rislling
an open attack.
This was more a desperate hope,
rather than any real faith possessed
Beyond doubt the Indian chief knew.
or thought he knew, our exact strength
before he consented to use his war
riOrS in this assault.
If the band had trailed us TO this
spot, it had been done through the
influence of Kirby. and he had, beyond
question. informed them as TO who
We were, and the conditions under
which we had fled from Yellow Banks.
The only addition to our party since
them was the rescued boy. They would
have little fear of serious loss in an
attack upon two men, and two women.
unarmed, except possibly with IL pistol
OF two, even though barricaded be
hind the log walls of a cabin. And.
with one of their number within, any
attempt at defense would be but Il
farce. This same gang had already
sacked the cabin, taking with them, as
they believed, every weapon it con
tanned. In their haste they had over
looked the cellar below. They hat no
thought of its existence, nor that we
awaited them rifles in hand and with
an ample supply of powder and lead.
Whatever might be the final result,
surprise of no pleasant nature was
awaiting their advance.
Convinced as ! had become, that
Black Hawk was actually with the
party, although | was unable to obtain
any glimpse of him, l felt there was
small chance of his departure, without
making at least one effort to capture
the cabin That was his nature, his
reputatiOn-that of a bulldog to hang
on, a tiger to strike. More, even, this
band of raiders must be far south of
the main body of the Hawks follow
ers, and hence in danger themselves.
They would never remain here long,
facing the possibility of discovery, Of
having their retreat cut Off. If they
attacked the attempt would not be
long delayed.
Still there was nothing left to do
but wait. We were already as COM
pletely prepared as possible with our
resources.
The main assault would undoubtedly
be delivered from the front, directed
against the door, the only point where
they could hope to break in. Here
Tim and myself held our positions, as
ready as we could be for any emer-
gency, and watchful of the slightest
movement without. Tim had even
brought up the half-keg of coarse pow
der from the cellar. and rolled it into
one corner out of the way. His only
explanation was, q grim reply to my
question, that at mOught be mighty
handy ter hav' round afOre the fracuS
wuS done" There was no fear in
Eloise. no shrinking, no evidence of
cOwardice. Not once did | feel the
need of giving her word of encour
agement-even as l glanced toward
her it was to perceive the CLEAN of a
pistol gripped in her hand. She was
of the old French fighting stock,
which never fails.
Against the log wall a few yards
away, Kirby strained at his blanket
bonds, anS had at last succeeded in
lifting himself up far enough so as
to stare about the room. There was
none of the ordinary calm of the
gambler about the fellow now-all the
pitiless hate. and love of revenge
which belonged to his wild Indian
blood blaZed in his eyes. He, glared
at me in sudden, impOtent rage.
"YOu think you've got me, do your"
he cried, scowling across then an ugly
grin distorted his thin lips. Not yet
you haven't, you soldier dog. I've got
some cards left to play in this game,
you young fool What did you butt
in for anyway? This was none of your