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"# ^ s c> > *; =zr~ VOL.. XI. V wSP CHAPTEH XIV. Tho Twelfth spent its Now Year's clay hot 011 tho Indian trail. Into tho foothills it wound, tortuous and lull of > peril, for from every projecting point, from rook to rock and cm st to crest, the warrior rear guard poured their fire on tho advancing lino. Charges were fruitless. The nimble ponies of the Indians boro their riders swiftly out of harm's way, and only among the charging force j\: ut;11 "i.v.*,4^.. i...d Ulll V'ilr* II il 1 I I' f* \n. \ lit. ot ill, 1MI11UII 11*4(4 hung 1 ik<> a bulldog to his task, Imping before nightfall to catch up with the main body and the moving village, then to hem it in. Numerically he was little better off than the Indians, as hi) Indians can surround 500 troopers much more effectively than 500 troopers can surround 50 mounted warriors. Through Bat and ot hers he had vainly striven to communicate with Big Head, to assure . him no F^irm would he dene; that all that was necessary was for him to return with his people under escort of the rogimei j k to the reservation. Up to -1 1 p. m. Jjiy a shot had been fired by the Two J.* J, even in response to a sometinwi-'galling fusillade from the Indians. By that time several men had been unboned and two or three wounded, and the thing was getting exasperating; yet, Was it worth keeping up, for Bat and / other scouts declared the fleeing village / to bo loss than three miles ahead now, and, with that overhauled, the warn rs could bo brought to bay well south of the mountains, and .to the accomplishment of this, without sacrificing men or horses to any great extent, Fenton was bending every energy when overtaken Ittr flin flruf nnnvior frnm l-'rtifiid VI.V ....... , ........ Wayne had marked (ho dispatches in tho order in which (hey should be rend, but the only ones which much concern ed hitn now were from department j headquarters. A new king who knew not Joseph, a new general with whom Fenton had never chanced to serve, was there in command, and he, coming a comparative stranger to the community, know little of tho merits of the politi- , oians by whom ho was speedily besieged. ! They were present in force, armed with letters and dispatches by the score from so called prominent citizens resident along the Platte, and Fenton was practically unrepresented. It was in no spirit of unkindness, but rather that Fenton might, have opportunity to como thither and confront and confound, if ho could, his accusers, that the general had issued tho first order, which was that Font on should "immediately escort By the light of a little vorlict lantern Fcnton read. Big Road and his people hack to tho agency and then report to theso headquarters for consultation." That dispatch, if delivered, would havo ruined all tho plans of tho plainsmen, and tho wires were clipped the moment warning came, and It never got beyond the old substation on the Laramie until after tho repairs wero made, but other dispatches were wiroct from below tho breaks, alleging first that, so far from Fenton\s doing as ordered, he was apparently bent on driving Big Road's people up tho river or into tho open field, then tluylio had done so, and that tho Indians were now raiding tho scattered vatmlma mwl /lrivinrr f tin nnttln iiitri t)io * (4t?viivn """" *"" '"v foothills, while (ho settlers were fleeing in terror. Fenton's dispatches, wired beforo Big Bond's escapade, had, of course, been received, hut his report of the situation was at utter variance with that from tho agency and those from the Thorpe party. (Iross mismanagement and general incompetency were tho principal allegations against Fcnton, though the astute "hustlers" did not j forgot to add drunkenness to the list as onVi which tho public would accept without question, ho being nn army oflicor, and when tho governor himself was induced to add his complaint to thoso of his enterprising people tho general yielded. Tho dispatches sent by courier called for explanation of tho charges made by tho agent and civilians, intimated doubt as to the wisdom of Kenton's course or tho accuracy of his information and wound up with the significant clause, J "Do nothing to provoko hostilities or j arouso tho fears of tho Indians," and hero ho had been in hot pursuit of thorn j all tho livelong day. Stung to the quick, Fonton noverthe- | loss pressed vigorously on. Tho result would justify him, and lie could wait .for bis vindication until tho.eampaign was over. The villngoat sundow neould not be morn than three miles away, said j {lis soouts, and the energy of Big Bead's ' d' ' 4 ^''' ** -3? b wne.. QfgS? I UaLS Klj r ?=*&F^^3S?L n v*vv>* Mtew.' defensive measures was redoubled. Instructions to <lo nothing to provoke hostilitit s v.i ro dead letters, now that hostilities had actually bc< n provoked?not 1>3' hi in or his people, but, between theni, by Ilig K'oad and the cowboys. There was only ono course for Fen ton to take, and that was to overhaul tho vi 11 o and peaceably if lie could, but forcibly if he must, escort it back within tho reservation lines. Jiat had ridden up just as the sun was disappearing to say that tho Indians seemed to be heading for a deep cleft in the foothills through which the buffalo in bygone days had mado their way. Now, if EYnton could only send Farwcll or Amory with half tho squadron to gallop In wide detour to the west under cover of tho darkness and seize the bluffs overhanging tho canyon, meantime iniilr(n?A?nmf nmtnnMnf baAntni* nn ll.n pursuit with tlie remainder of his force, ho might trap tho village whilo most of its (h it nderswero still far away. Darkucbs settled down over tho dcsolatowintiy landscape, and tho two troops dispatched on this stirring and perilous mission wero those of Far well and Malcolm Loale, tho latter led by its boy lieutenant, Will Farrar. Ono hour later, as tho advanco was still groping along tlio trail and tho weary troopers, alternately loading afoot and riding sleepily in narrow column, pushed steadily in their trucks, two horsemen on jaded mounts came spurring from tho rear, and Wayne, with sorrowful face, handed his dispatches to tho colonel. IJy tho light of a littlo pocket lantern Fonton road, while in brooding silence a knot of half a dozen officers gathered about them. Tho closing paragraph is all wo need to quote: "You will therefore turnover tho command to Major Wnyno and report in person at thoso headquarters without unnecessary delay. Acknowledge receipt. " At any other timo tho colonel might liavo been expected to swear vigorously, but tho troublo in Wayne's face and tlio unspoken sym- ' pathy and sorrow woro too much for him. "All right, old boy," said ho as he refolded tho papers. "Pitch in now and finish up the business, with my blessing. Bat," ho continued, turning to tho swarthy guide, "how far is it Atmv it\ flir? a 1 licnn T tliinl I'll i Bleep there." And no further words 1 woro needed to tell the little group that their colonel had been removed from command just on tho cvo of consummation of his plans, and ho was the only man of tho lot who didn't look as though all heart had been taken out of him as the immediate result.. "D?n that fellow Thorpol It'sliis doing," 8woro tho adjutant between his set teeth. "Ifo lias never forgiven uh for spoiling his schemo to clean out tho wholo bund." "Don't was to timo swearing," said Fen ton grimly. "I'll tako tho job oil' your hands. They're heading for Elk Springs, Wayne, and I've sent Farwell with two troops around to the left to find their way to the bluffsnndget there first. Everything depends on that. " Hut even Feu ton hardly realized how >< i#y j 111 iv ii *i* |n hu' ii. ?\ ? t\* m?\> ill 11.1141 7 o'clock, uihI ever since t he curly dawn tlio cavalry had been pressing steadily at the heels of tho Indian rear guard, never firing, never responding to tho challenge of shot or snout ' n tho scampering warriors before tl. .. Again and again had Hat and his half breed cousin, La Bonto, striven to get Big Road to halt and parley; but, thegh tho signals were fully understand, obi Road was mad with tin* mingled rage of fight and whisky and believed himself the leader of an outbreak that should rival that of 1870 and place him, as a battle chief, head of an army of warriors that should overrun the northwest. Anxious only to get the women and children safely in among the fast nesses of tho hills, he contented himself therefore through the livelong day with holding tho troops tit long arm's length, opening lively lire when they sought to push ahead. It was glorious fun for him and his. Well they know that so far at least tho soldiers wero forbidden to attack. With the coming of another day Big Road planned to have his village far in among the clefts and canyons of the range, where a few resolute warriors could defend tho pass against an advance, whilo ho and his braves, reenforced by eager recruits from the young men of other hands at tho reservation, could fall upon tho flanks and rear of Fen ton's force and fritter it away, as Red Cloud had massacred Fotterman's men long years before at old Fort Kearny. Everything depended on who should get thero first, and, as tho Sioux said of Custer's column tho bloody day on tho Littlo Horn, "tho soldiers wero tired." Extending southward from the peaks of tho Big Horn was a wild range of irregular heights, covered in places with a thick growth of hardy young spruce and cerlnrs and scrub oak. slashed and severed here and there hy deep and tortuous canyons with precipitous sides. Somewhere iti among those hills was a big amphitheater know'n as the Indian raco course, approachable in winter at I least only through tho crooked rift or pass known for short as Elk gulch. In just such another natural fastness and oply a few* miles away to tho northeast had tho Ohcveunea niado their famous CONWAY S. C mtfVNtiavaar tt w?? mi?mi n . . "UiJisi live Union their weight in light in;; nu ;i tho l?iiU r winter of 1870, a l;.r'o tie cavalry long had cause to remember, and now, wit it but a handful of troops as compared with the force led in by MneK< nzir, Wayne had right before him a similar problem to tackle. The only points in his favor were that 15ig 1 load's braves were as few as his own and that l'Vnton had already sent a force to race the Indians to their rel'uge. At. 8 o'clock t he darkness was intense. There was 110 moon to light their way, and their only guide was tho deep trail in tho snowy surfuco left by tho retreut* iljg Indians. The darkness was no deeper than (he gloom in cve.y heart, for Fen ton was gone, a wronged and onluuiniated man, and tliey, his loyal soldiers, obedient to a higher duty still, were forced to push on and finish his work without him. For an hour only at snail's pace had they followed (ho trail. Bat and his associates had had many n narrow escape. Lieutenant Martin, commanding the advance, had had his horse shot, uul'T liiui. fcJorgeanfc ltoo had a bullet through his coat, and Corporal Worrit k, riding eagerly in the lead, got anothor through tho shoulder. Luckily it was not veiy cold, but all tho sanio most of tho im n were heromihg sluggish and sh epv, and that was fust ahotit tho time Wayne might ho expected lo wake up. And wake up ho did. "1 have had no orders on no account to attack, " said he, "and 1 haven't time to read all tho rot they've wired to Fontou. Watch for tho next shots nhoad there," ho cried to tho foremost troop era, "and nock it; to thorn!" Then it was beautiful to seo how oven the horses set mod to rouse from their stupor and apathy, and something almost like a ehcer burst from the lips of the youngor men. Old hands took a swift of water from their canteens and a bito at the com fort i lift plug. Out from the sockets came the bxown earbincs, and a fresh platoon was ordered up to ri lieve the advance, and Lieutenant Randolph took Martin's place at the front, livery little while through tho darkness ahead had conn a flash and report from I ho invisible foe, and, as these had been sullen d unavengt d, it was soon observed that the lurking warriors grew bolder and that with every shot the distance seemed to decrease. For half an hour past they had bo< 11 coming in from easy pistol range, and Randolph took the cue. Bidding his moil open out and rido several yards apart, v< t aligned as much as was possible, ho ordered carbines dropped jgid revolvers drawn and then, trotting i. long the rear of tho dox.cn, gave his quick caution to man aftt r man. "Watch for the Hash and let drive at it. Rvthi if we don't hit, we'll keep t hem at a respectful distance," he said, and the words were hardly out of his mouth when a ruddy light leaped over the snow, a shot wont zipping past his head, and then, followed by a roar of approval from tho main eolinnu. the rcviilvi is <if llu> jirlvution crackled and sputtered t'heir answer. The landscape was lit up for an instant, dark forms went, pounding and scurrying away from t ho front, and a moment later there uprose a cheer over at tho right, and Randolph galloped to tho spot. An Indian pony lay kicking, Btniggling, stiffening in tho snow, shot through the body, and tho rider hail had to run for it. "That's right, Randolph," said the major, spurring to his side. "Now, keep 'em off, but don't push too hard. Remember, we've got to givo Farwell time." "How far ahead is that confounded canyon, Rat?" asked tho adjutant at, the moment. "Not moro than two miles now. I hunted buffalo all over here when I wnfi a boy," was the answer. "Rig Road's peoplo all there by this time, I'm afraid." "Then you think that they got there first?that they've got tho bluffs?" Irani so. 13i |_c J load no fool. Ho wouldn't lot liis village drive into a ! gulch and not guard the bluffs. If the i captain got there first, they'd lmve found it out by this time and signaled for help. Tho reason 1 believe they think they're all sale is that so many Indians hang around us out hero." And just then came a grunt of disgust from I.a Hon to. The colonel at his sido said "J I?1!" and an excitable trooper called out, "Look tlu re! What's that?" for over at the northwest, all 011 a sudden, a brilliant column of flame had burst through the blacknossof thenight and sent a broad glaro streaming over tho snow clad surfaco of tho rolling prairie. "They're on to us, by tho eternal!" cried the adjutant, who loved tho .Tacksoiiian form of expletive. "Listen!" j Hut noone listened more than an instant. , Even through the mufiling coverlet of snow the rumble and rush of a hundred pony hoofs, like low, distant thunder, told of tho instant flight of Hig Load's braves in answer to the signal. Wayne was ahla/.o in a second. i/jofio up on t he iioau or column, ho shouted to tho troop loaders. "Como on, now, men, for all you'ro worth. Tlicro isn't a second to spare. " And as tho amnzt d and wearied horses gave answer to the spur and broke into lumbering gallop far over at the west the rocks began to ring to tho crackle of musketry. Farwoll and Iho Sioux had clinched on the bluffs to tho south of tho sprites and woro fighting in tho dark for tho right of way. Ten miles away, at Allison's ranch, woaried with tho sleepless tf?i 1 of 24 hours, too wopry to ho kopt nwako oven hy tho exusperuting sense of his wrongs, tho colonel was just rolling into his blankets for a much needed rest boforo netting forth with the rising ami on his homeward road. Fifty miles away over tho while oxpanso of prairie, under the cold and glittering skies, Murjorie Farrar xat hy tho bedside of her Ik loved daughter, praying ceaselessly for tho | safety of an equally beloved son now THURSDAY, JANL riding for tho first tinio in his bravo young life to provo his worthiness to bear tho father's imino in headlong light with a savage anil skillful foe. And if ever a young fellow, weaver of fho army blue, realized to the full extent tho hopes and faith and fondness centered in him this night of nights, it was Will Fair nr. Barely arrived at man's estate, not yet a year out of tho cadet coatee, with his mother, his sister, his sweetheart, all there at the old fort so long associated with his father's inline, with that namo to maintain, and not only that, but with Malcolm Louie's old troop as one man looking up to him as their leader, yet competent, down to tho very last man, to note the faintest Haw ahculd ho fail thorn, tho junior subaltern of tho Twelfth, tho "plobo" lieutenant, as his eld< rs laughingly spoko of him, found himself, as though some special providence had swept, from his path ev? ry possible barrier to danger and distinction, lifted suddenly to a command that seldom falls to army subalterns today even within a dozen years and bidd< n hero and now to win his spurs for tho honor of tho old troop, tho honor of tho Twelfth, tho honor of the namo his father mudo famous and that ho must maintain or die in trying to. All this, and Cod alono knows how much more besides, went thrilling through his very soul as, on Furwcll's left and in utter silence, lie rode swiftly onward at tho head of tho column. Leaving to his own lirst lieutenant the command of tho grays, Captain Furwoll had told him to follow eloso in the tracks of Farrur's men and, with only one or nu? nuiiuii company to nut uml no other guido of any kind but his 'senses and the stars, had placed himself in the load and pushed forth into the night. "Swing well out to tho west," were Font on'a last orders. "Keep dark, as you know how. Head for the hills as soon as you're suro you'ro far beyond hearing and try to strike those blntls a couple of miles at least back of the month of tho canyon. You ought to get tin re ahead of tho village. Halt it with a few men down in the gorge, but hold your main body on tho bluffs. We'll keep llig Koad busy." Luckily the stars were brilliant in the wintry sky and tho constellations out in all their glory. Tho polo star glowed high aloft and held them to their course. Out in the advance, lashing his horse with Indian whip to keep him to his speed, rode hravo Hear, a corporal of tho Ogalalla company, side by side with Sergeant Jireminer. Whcnowi* the drifts wero deep in tho ravines, ono of them would halt and warn tho column to swerve to the right or left. Only a yard or two behind tho two "office iv* ? Harwell, grizzled and stout, Farrar, fair mill kIi ?Ptinin lnnini# nr I v??H Im? u? (ho leading four, and, though it was not his accustomed place, thoro rodo Terry Jtorko, where, as la* had explained to the satisfaction of tho sergeant, ho could ho closo to "Masthor Will." Tho prairio was broad and open and fnirl*" lovoL There was no need of diminishing front. A platoon eould'havo ridden abreast and found no serious obstacle, except tho snowdrifts in the deep coulees. Two miles to tho west they sped, moving cautiously at lirsl so as to give no inkling of their intent, and, for the first time, almost doubling back upon their tracks, so as to keep well away from the Indian rear guard. Then, in long curve, Favwoll led them toward the low, rolling hills, now dimly visihlo against the firmament, and presently the ravines began to grow deeper but farther apart, the slopes more abrupt, and the westward hills loomed closer in their path, and still the snowy expanse showed unbroken, and Boar, l>oiidii>K low ovc.r his pony's neck and watching for signs, declared that no Indians had crossed as vet into the hills and that t ho entrance to 101k gulch was now not more than a mile to tho north. And hero tho hills rolled higher, hotli to their front and toward tho west, hut Furwell rodo on up a gradual ascent until tho slope began to grow steep, then, dismounting, let! tho way afoot, the whole column rolling out of saddle and towing its horses in his track. Up, up they climbed until, breathing hard now, but pushing relentlessly on, the captain reached tho crest, and faint and dim in tho starlight, dotted hero and thc.ro with littlo clumps of spruce ! or cedar, tho rolling, billowy surfoco lay before, him, shrouded in its mantle of glistening snow. Leading on until the whole command had time to reach tho top, he motioned Will to halt, whilo he, with Hear and Sergeant Bremmer, pushed a few yards farther on. T! column took a breathing spoil una waited. Far out to tho eastward and below them an occasional flash as of rilio or revolver sparkled through tho night, and tho faint report was presently borno to their listening ours, lhg Koad was still barring tho way of tho column then, and that meant that all the village; was not yet safely within tho grim walls ol tho canyon. Northward tho snowy slopes rolled higher still, but it was northwestward, among tho clumps of trees, that tho loaders had gone. The steam from tho horses' nostril.: "nd from their heaving flanks rose on tho h "n nir, and the blood raced and tingled in the veins nf the men. Not a whisper of mountain breeze was astir. Tho night was as st ill as the voiceless skies. Three, four minutes, with beating hearts, tho little command watched and waited and drew longer breath, and then a dark shape came jogging back from f frri;\ and Farwell's voico said, "Mount ami come on." Then camo 15 minutes' trot, winding snakelike and in long extended column of twos among the stunted trees, and then Far well ordered "Walk;" for moro than oneo a dark form loomed up in thoir path, and Brommer wheeled his horse about and rodo by the captain's side, eagerly explaining in low tono. Will caught tho words: "Hight ahead. You } IARY 7 ^S?>y wmi?m >! wm ?m m wlu A-m, a-w cnu hoar them t isttnetly, str, *' and for tho lifo of liiin Will could not quite control the flutter of hU heart. "Halt' Dismount and wait horo!" were the next orders, almost whispered, and again Karwel) pushed out into th< front, and uguin tli?> eolntnu nwung out j of saddle, watched ami waited, and presently the men begun to stamp about in iho snow and thrash their stiffening lingers. "Are wo close to 'em now, Masther Will?" asked old Terry, unrebuked. "Ri^ht ahead, they way, corporal. But this, roiueinher, is only tlio women and children, with a few of tlio t?Id men." "Ah, it's your father's Hon yo are, sorr?CJod resthis houU If it was daytime, yo could almost see from hero the breaks of tlio Mini I'usa, whuro we Rtruck theso Indians threoyears ago this cruel winter." "I know," said Will briefly, "and if?if it comes to tightin^C hero, ltorke, remember father's last order. It may bo hauler than ever to toll buck from sqituw in so dim a 1 ixht, hut 1 want the I men to hoed it. " "They will, sorr, as they would if the captain himself was at their head, and, Masther Will, for tlio lovo of liivj on, wliorover ye havo to go this night /I/ ?. v I I J i I'M! i I J Cj [lc 8lnt{](jh<l t<> his tret, yroplufj for lit* i revolver. | let 1110 lie won of 111iin that go wi<l yo , if yo only tiiko wim," and tlioro was a break in the old fellow's voico as ho begun his plea. "liush, ltorke. We'll seo to that," said Farrar. "iloro coiiioh tho captain back." And Harwell eanio with speed. "Mr. Farrar," ho said, an unniistakablo tremor in his tone, "there's not a moment to be lost. They are passing through tho canyon now. Wo can hear them plainly, but they havoHankers out along the bluff. Two bucks rode by not a moment ago, and Dear says tho whole outllt is pushing for tho race track. I've got to head them off farther up the I gulch. Hear savs wo can uofc down in single 11 lo by an ol?1 gamo trail there, and I wish you to dismount right hero, lino this slope with yonr inon, solid at least a dozen down into th ? ravino and stand oil' Big lload and his follows ! wliilo wo corral that whole village and I start it for home. They can't toll hoy* low yon are in number, and Fenton will bo closo at their heels. Between you they ought to he forced to the north sido while I'm driving tin village out to tho south. You understand, do you not? It's a fight in tho dark, and tlioy'ro afraid of it, anyhow. You'vo got a splendid troop, lad, and they won't fail you. Don't bo ashamed to ask your old I fiorgt ants for advice. You understand | fullyV" "1 do," said Will stoutly, though his young heart was hammering in his j-bre.nst. "Wo'll do our best, sir. Form fours, sergeant, and link?lively," ho added, then grasped tho captain's hand ono instant beforo tho latter turned 1?i -1? it - 1 - 1 ouciiuy, quu'Kjy luo men milieu horses, ami, leaving No. 4 of each set in Raddle, camo running up to the front, uiiRlinging carbines on tho way. Furwoll and his follows went trotting off among the clumps of pine as tho last man fell in on the left. Then, quickly dividing off a dozen troopers from that flank, Will placed tho first sergeant in charge and bade him find tho way down the steep incline to tho bottom of the gorge, which there was not more than 250 feet below, giving hint instructions to he ready to sweep it with their firo when the warriors came, as come they specaily muRt. Next, facing eastward, ho deployed his men, causing them to stand or kneel in tho shelter of tho little trees, hut to keep vigilant lookout. Another little squad was strung ont down tho faeo of tho bluff to keep connection with tho men descending to tho depths of tho canyon, and these preparations wero barely com , pleted when, riding at rapid gait, two j horsemeneamodashing up tho eastward slope. Tho panting of tho ponies could bo heard before anything could bo hcou, but tho instant tho vague shapes appeared two sudden shots rang out on tho night, and then n dozen?-n sputtering volley?flashed from'tho line. Down went ono pony, struggling and rolling in tho snow. Away sped the other back into tho blaejuicss of tho night. Then a dark object seemed disengage itself from tho struggling pony and go crouching and limping away. Two or throo excited young soldiers banged their carbines without thfy faintest aim. Then ifc seemed as though tho hillsides woko to a wild revol of battle, for, bohind them, far up the canyon, there rose a wail of terror from the fleeing squaws and shouts of tho fowoid braves left to guard them, resounding warwhooj)S of younger Indians somewhere, anywhere, ovory where, down tho slopes to tho east. Then a bright coif unm of flame shot high in air over among the rocks to the north of tho gate, and afar out over tho eastward prairie Ihg itoad and his braves came dashing, driving, thundering to the rescue, i "They'll not try the gulch, sorr," shouted ltorko in his car. "Ouly a few |y I N "i? nn- iir- ti i~ ir pi imn un ? m am n i ? Highest of all in Leavening Po* >il>3VLU a will push in li re. M? t of Vm w ill Con in this wny and get mound us to our right." "Open out, turn I Push outsouthward thorn as fast as you can!" t houU d Will, as ho tan bounding through tin1 snow toward tho i ight of his invisible 1 ilto. "Waioh ft i tin in! They'll coino with a rush when tin y eonio at all!" And Korlci , whoso business it was to remain with his "eoinrades in battle" where liist ho was j o.stcd, near tla 1 row of the strep, went running after his young ec mtiiatidor as hard as ho could go, with no man to stop hint. in tlin excitement and darkness, in the thrill ol' tho moment, some of the men seemed disposed to huddle togntln r rutin r than to increase their intervals, for plainly now could I n heard a dull thunder of hoofs?the roar of the coming storm. Tin ii, too, shadowy s| < c tors of housemen could ho dimly soon darting into part ial view and out again, like tho flash that greeted them. Hut far up ; tho gorge, behind Farrar's line, tho sound of buttle grew fi< roer and louder. Tli ui, down from tho depths of tho can yon, thorn eaniu fiudden clamor of shot mid clic* r and challenge and yells of rage and d< linuco, and tlnn all on a sudden out from among the stunted trees, with punting, struggling, hounding ponies, with lashing, bonding, yelling braves, thero hurst upon them tlm main body of tho Indians, throrsooro warriors at least, and despite the l ing of shots on and through mid over they rushed the slim and oxtc nded skirmish line, and Will Farrnr, springing from j the shelter of a littlo cedar, was struck I full in the breast by a inn eular shoul| iler and knocked backward into the snow. He struggled to his feet, groping for his revolver, just in time to meet the dash of half a dozen racing braves, all yelling like lb nils. Something crashed upon his skull and struck a million sparks or stars, and everything whirled cut of sight and sound and sense as the young ollln r went down, face foremost, into the drifts. | TO UK < ONTINKKI) N 10XT WKKK.J INK (11/1) CITY ST 11/1/ IMltTI/IAIt I lie Meli opolltun I'olloo is a Neoes , sily I'alil < 'liai'lestoii is Itcady lor l lie Change of I ho Dispensary I jaw'-' special to the ' olumlnu Kegistcr. Charleston ih looking forwurd to tin meeting of the General Assembly u fort night heneo witli much interest and "olidtudo. Not that u great deal of legislation is anticipated by tlio forthcoming m ssion, but most of the important general measures undertaken art expected to all'eet the material and commercial interests of this city intimutely. First and* foremost in th< minds of many, ia the character and trend of 'egialation with regard to the dispensary. Tho fundermcntal prinei|>!es of the dispensary law, of course, are practically lixed and unalterable integral portions of our institutions That is to say, Mr. Tillman, Governor, United Stales Senator and member ol the Constitutional Convention, Clinch cd his views on the subject by concentrating and segregating them in a brief clause of tho now constitution, from which there is no appeal oxeopt by the two-thirds vote necessory for changing or amending the constitution. Wide latitude is left to the General Assembly for legislating on the'faubject': it can enact prohibition, or grant licenses to individuals, or adopt practically any system which e< tnmends itself to tho judgment of the body for tho conduct and control of the trallie, witli the specified exceptions, that nothing less than a half pint can he sold ; that it cannot he sold between sundown and sunrise, and that it cannot he drunk on tho premises where sold. This leaves the Legislature at 1th erty to deal with peculiar conditions us it may find them, such as exist in the geacoust city of Charleston. There seems to bo no doubt that the present system, in spite of the many defects that attach to novelty, has generally gained the approval of the people of t.he State. 11 bus diminished drunkenn< hs and has been of invaluable benefit, it is claimed, in the agricultural districts, and these would, in consequence, Do loth to part with it. in Charleston, too, it may be suid, that the destruction of the social feature of meeting and drinking in perfect freedom at the bar, has been of inestiifiable benefit, 'from a moral standpoint, and many of our best and most disinterested citizens are free to confess this. It is true that "blind tigers" exist, in spite of the metropolitan or any other poiico system, but they are forced to deal out tiieir wares by stealth, and this Is practically death to the business * among so proud-spirited and open.1 unded a people as Charleston is pro* vcrbhilly populated with, to whom Audi a thing as drinking behind doors r?nd in stealth is intolerable. Hut "]neither will they patronizj the dispensaries, for to do ?o compels them to go into a place more thar apt to be Crowded, to stand in line with all sorts, colors and conditions of men and, if the law is carried out, to write down their names, ages, and other partieui hii'4. The conneeuerico of all this is thut the best and largest class of the Charleston trade, in so. far as tigures go, is freely supplied, under Judge Simon ton's decision, with goods ordered in bulk from neui-by cities and pur local merchants of icputo wno used to oh joy this trade arc forced to stand by and see the rival cities of other Stales (iirryofT their most lucrative business, atid frequently other husitiess with it. * .<SH ?? ? ? - .. ..I NO 20 ?? feiv?Latest U.S.Gov't Report Baking , rowaer ELY PURE All Charleston would bo glad, therefore, if political animosities could be subordinated for a sulllcient h ngth of time, to welcome a modification of the dispensary law with regard to her which would license hor merchants to conduct legitimately the traffic, subject to the constitutional restrictions, which outsiders are. now enjoying without yielding any revenue to the Stato. This Is the boon which our present commercial noeds call for more than anything else, ami which will do more to reconcile our people to the changed condition of affairs than any one thing else. it is true that the local pr< ssund the dominant politicians clamor for the removal of the metropolitan police as the oro* tiling needful. Hut this would piovea boomerang to the city, as our polities have so long done, if eonsummated heforo any preparation were made for it. It would ho in effect putting the cart heforo the horso. Nobody hut realizes that our "blind tiger" state of t xUtonee must come to an end. Nobody wishes it more than many of the dealers who have been forced into it for self-preservation. Nobody wishes it more than the class of reputable dealers who formerly paid their licenses and carried on the business legitimately, but who are forced now to stand by and see others do business without license and contrary lo law. Hut to remove the machinery before the law is chnngt d would simply be to olungo the city into a carnival of license from which there would be no scape short of more drastic measures than ever However, our politicians, in their usual shortsightedness, in so far as the public interest and welfare are concerned, have put this political revenge before everything else, and it rests with Governor Kllerbe and the Legislature to make such disposition of tile question as in their judgment they may see lit. Charleston lias a strong delegation, legally speaking, in tho General Asscinby, and while they wfll scarcely initiate any legislation in regard to tiie liquor traffic they ean he depended onto give intelligent support to any measure which irnv nrnmlan in -J I lwi " tho Interests In this city. You Can He Well When your blood Is pure, rich and nourishing' for nerves and muscles. Flic blood is the vitul iluid, und when it is poor, thin and impure you must either siitTor from some distressing disease or you will easily fall a victim to uddeu cluinpes exposure, or overwork. Keep your blood pure with Hood's Sarsuparilla and ho well. Hood's I'ills aro tho best after?dinner pill: assist digestion, euro headache. 2i>cts. ? An abused wifo in Maystiek, Ky., lately secured a divorce from her bushand on tho ground, as statod in tho decrco, that ho ' did not provide her witli enough provender to keep hor organic system from faltering." When you flad a person who has triod Simmons Liver Regulator you are sure to hour ihein say something in its favor. M rrt. (?. T. .1 uly, Blue Grass, 111., recently wrote: "I cannot do without Simmon* Liver Regulator sinoe I know the valne of it as a fum|ly mcdiolue." And Dr. VV. i'. Gibbs, of Beaufort, S. (J , says. "I prescribe Simmons Liver Regulator and know it to bo a ti rut class liver medicine. ?A New York religious journul intimates that [some I persons contribute to missions according to their meanness rather than uc<5ord ing to tlioir means. It Haves the Crimpy Cliiltlreii. SEAVIKW, Va. ? We have a splondid sale on Chamberlain's Cough Remedy, and our customers coming from far and near, speak of it in the highest terms. Many have said that their children would have died of croup if Chamberlain's Cough Remedy had not been givon.T~KKhl.AM it GUKUEN. The 26 ami 60 cent sizes for sale by Dr. 10. Norton, Druggist. SPRING MEDICINE s SIM MONS I IVER REGULATOR. Don't for.' t t<> take it. Now is the time yott leed it most to wake up your Liver. A sltr/o^li Liver brings on %\alarla, Fever iiul A ue, khcui and many ottoer s wiui h shatter the constitution Itt) - vk alth Don't forget the k.'.M rOR. It is SIMMONS LlYlJR kf < .11 A TOR you want. I he word RBlfi* >1 M'OU distinguishes it from all otfeGr e J s. And. besides this, SIMMONS iVf.lv* Rl (il LATOR is a Regulator of tie . veer > it pr- perlv at work, that voxr >ys" ni rii.iv I kept in good condition. I OR Mil: BLOOD t*k? SlMMONf I IV: W RHciULATOR. It is th? best blood i corrector. Try it and nott J ; 1 Mice. Look for the RHD Z j You wont find It *n I l inedlcTnt, and there ii no oilier m rnedy like SIMMONS LIV1H fl die kinfcof Liver Remedies. 8 J it Collin At Co., riiiladvlphio, Pit *m