In Barracks and Wigwam — page 115: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

- 2; eens ee ~ “7 ww a . si ¥/ i ae . ad. Critical Situation. i LOS 1 own up to shooting an Injun. I had to do it in self- _fense, fur it was my life or theirs—— ope } “Here they come,” he added, in a-terror- stricken wail. “They're after me. For Heaven's sake, save me, boys! Don't let the red devils take me—they'll kill me by inches. And you darsen't give me up. You're bound by oath to protect me.’ | The Sioux were - coming, sure enough. The main body had ridden back to confer with Gray Fox, and now they were all advancing from the foot of.the ridge, riding slow ly and silently in a compact line. With Corporal Otis dead, and the lieutenant uncon- scious, the command devolved on Second Sergeant Jones. x But that officer had fairly lost his head, and was in no fit : condition to assume the responsibilty. ; * They’ re coming to demand the prisoner,’ he groaned, “and [ don’t see anything for it but to give him up. Hf we refuse we'll likely be butchered to a man.” | “We've got to refuse,” cried Private Reily. “It’s our duty to hold the prisoner at all Seaeate! much as he de- serves to be handed over for torture.’ | “That’s the talk,” shouted another. * Duty Par my boys. We're in a tight place, but pluck will pull us through. There are thirty of the Sioux, and we number just ten’. Three redskins to one of Uncle Sane s men ain't bad odds. And we have a strong position | “Ehey’ ll} soon be here,” interrupted Linn. “Let’s get beady? This sound advice was acted upon at once. Finding that the second sergeant was not to be depended upon, the men took matters into their own hands. No retreat was possible, for the Sioux were in front, and behind seh ed the deep and swift tide of Bull Creek. The horses were hurriedly staked in the shelter a“ the trees, and the fettered desperado was hidden from sight | “Comicbooks.com