Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1921-03-03
CHAPTER XVI.
The Rock Platform.

pHelDy Hdu HO time 10 IIllHk, OF u
even comprehend clearly what con-
frOnted him. There was a second in
which he rammed a handful of cart
ridges into his empty gun; and then
they were on him, a dozen Indians
Swarming up the face of the rock, and
| clutching for hold on the parapet
He fired blindIy straight into their
| faces, aware that another revolver
cracked close beside his ear, yet with
no opportunity to glance about. He
saw assailants topple backward
clutching fingers release their hold
rifles flung high in air, and roll down
the slope. Savage yells blended into
cries of death agony. He felt the clip
of ball in his shoulder and staggered
back from the blow; a tOmahawk
grazed his wrist and the quick slash
of knife ripped open a leg of his
trousers, a red stain discoloring the
opening He had glimpse of fierce, in
furiated faces, of waving scalplocks,
Of naked chests and arms. Fingers
clutched at him, and he kicked him
Sui A)Oli guns cIllplJ, lie Ddl-
tered away with the butts, smashing
at every face he saw, no desire left
but to KILL before he also was dragged
down. He knew nothing of Olga,
where she was, what she was doing
he only realized that he must stand
there, and fight until they got him
she would keep one shot; she had
pledged that.
And the devils made 1t, creeping far
out over the gulf, and drawing them
selves up beyond reach of his arm.
One fell, going down with howl of
terror; a second was struck by a
speeding bullet, dead ere he went
whirling back into the air-but the
third made it, creeping up onto the
narrow platform, with others surging
behind, knives gripped in their teeth. |
Shelby hurled his empty pistol into |
the face of the nearest before the fell
low could attain his knees, and grasped |
a discarded rifle which dangled over
the stone coping. With one bound he
was at the edge swinging this weapon
the iron stock against every head that
He staggered back, breath
less, half blinded by a wound over his
eye, aware only that the front of the
rock was swept clear, that not saw
age was left for him to strike at. She
touched him, and he whirled, thinking
It another enemy.
Don't, Tom, don't!" she begged
'Merciful heaven, you are all blood.
Look out there! are those soldiers"
He held up the flap of skin, and
stared where she pointed. Across the
white snow covering the valley below,
idng stirrup to stirrup in wild
,harge, two lines of cavalry were
straight toward the foot of
he bluff He knew what they were
It a glance; their lines steady even at
gallop, the squirting officer in front,
he glitter of carbines, the silence, left
10 doubt. No Indians rode like that
lie watched them, grasping her tightly
o him now, scarcely able to speak.
)nce only, he gave utterance.
MY GOu 0ee lIlOSe lellONS Tlue
"They are soldiers"
eyes, yes! Good Lord, lassie, but .
hat looks like old Hays leading em. ,
Is the Sixth, the Sixth-a squadron ,
f the SIXTH" !
He staggered to his knees, but still {
cid himself up, peering over the cop
~. She knelt beside him, half sup
orting him against her shoulder. The T
harging horsemen swept in out Of s
ght below, but they could hear them Il
ash through the underbrush, and n
,lash their way across the stream.
hen there echoed up to them the
nging cheer of white voices, and the I,
Ill bang of the carbines. +,
How they made that ascent 1t is
)ubtful IL trooper knows; but they d
d, creeping from rock to rock, drag fl
ng themselves along gullies, hauling
cir bodies up by sheer strength Of g,
m, springing from point to point nj
Oh by inch, foot by foot, fighting as
ey advanced, firing at every skulk- =,
g figure In their front, skirting preci- o,
ces, leaping across chasms, cllnglng
sperately to every rock or shrub,
cir carbines splitting viciously eager
ly to get at hands grips with the
e. High above, Shelby and Olga he
ught glimpses of tolllng figures, of m
lping jets of flame, of fierce strug. IFS
IS hand to hand, of Indians seeking so
escape. Sharp-voiced rifles an m,
cred the carbines, and a dead sol fr,
r hung dangling over the edge of sh
rock; another nursed q bleeding tic
N In the shelter of a cedar. But ! ca