Beadle's Dime Library No. 826 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 at Fo OP Buffalo Bill’s Sharp-Shooters. trail could not but cause anxiety among I was able to make with Knife Killer, the those who knew the situation, and the cun- great chief of the Pawnees, which makes ning nature of the Sioux, who might makea him and his people our friends,” feint in one direction and pounce down with a large number of warriors upon the fort. When the courier arrived from Major Melton, asking for reinforcements, and re- porting that the Sioux were in large num- bers in their front, Colonel Markham at once dispatched ten companies of the infantry mounted and a couple of light guns, re- ducing his garrison to one-half its original number, But those that were ieft were put on double duty, the scouts were kept constantly out on the watch for ALY signs of the Indians, and had the Sioux really intended an attack on the fort they would have found a warm reception awaiting them. As no other word came from the front there was considerable anxiety felt as to the fate of Buffalo Bill and those with him, as also for the troops sent to the front under Major Melton, for it was well known that the Sioux could place a very heavy force of mounted warriors in the field, and they were cunning and desperate fighters as well. ‘(A party of horsemen approaching the fort, sir,” said an officer entering the head- quarters of Colonel Markham the second day after the fight at Hermit Pass. ‘‘Do you make out who they are, Lieu- tenant Loyd?” ‘* Not yet, sir, but word is to be sent at once, sir, when they are known.” Word soon came that it was a party of mounted Indians approaching, and as they were reported as not half a hundred in num- ber, general surprise was felt as to why they were coming. t But a call to posts was ordered, in case they should be the advance guard of a much larger force and were plotting a ruse to cover up an attack. Then word came that there was a white man discovered in their midst, and in a short while a wild cheer was heard at the stockade and Lieutenant Loyd came up at adouble quick to report that Buffalo Bill was coming and those with him were Paw- nees. The mga | grew louder and louder as the scout and his Pawnee guard reached the fort, and riding in amid shouts of welcome he doffed his sombrero and bowed again and again as he rode on to headquarters, the In- ans following him in single file. Arriving at gaat Seagal Buffalo Bill leaped from his saddle, an orderly took his horse and advancing quickly the scout met Colonei Markham who said earnestly: ‘“Welcome back, Cody, for we all con- sidered you as lost to us; but how is it you come with a red-skin escort and not your scouts?” “They are Pawnee scouts, colonel, and our allies now, for Knife Killer and his peo- ple have buried the tomahawk with their white brothers.” “This is good news, indeed, Cody; but _ they have ridden far so I will send them to quarters and have them well cared for, while you come in and let me bear all that you know of the news at the front, Buffalo Bill spoke a few words to Sioux - Slayer, who dismounted and advanced, fol- -Jowed by his warriors, and Colonel Mark- ham greeted them in a most friendly man- ner, his words being interpreted by the scout, --who ‘also told them that it was the wish of tthe white chief to have them go to quarters and be well taken care of. The Pawnees then remounted and filed | | eee Ee ' to the attack when surprised by the troops, who had made a most remarkable ride of it, and were guided by Surgeon Powell into position, guns and all, without the Indians suspecting their presence until the cannons opened on them, ‘‘Driving the Sioux to the hills, Major Melton shelled them in retreat toward Her- mit’s Pass, where they had sent couriers to have other bands go with all speed and am- bush the command, following them into the trap. “Three of these bands reached the pass, almost together, and went into ambush, all told numbering twelve hundred braves, so that with those he was pursuing, Major Melton had to face there over two thousand warriors, outnumbering him about five to one and fighting from a strong position. ‘‘ But his guns and charging troopers did most effective work, and as the Sioux could not break through the pass they were hemmed in, suffered heavily and were stampeded along the mountain base,” ‘You have given a very graphic account, Cody, but from it no one would ever sup- ose that you were in the battle, and ret ajor Meiton’s letter states distinctly that you were there,” said Colonel Markham, | smiling at the scout’s modest report. ‘* Bravo, Cody, for that is of immense value to us: but now to Melton’s letter,” and a colonel motioned the scout to a seat near him, CHAPTER XXVI. THE LETTER. THe letter sent by Major Melton was un- opened and @elonel Markham, taking it from the envelope, hastily glanced over it. It was as follows: ‘Camp NeAR HeErRMIT’s Pass, ** March 80th, 18—. ‘*CoLONEL MABREY MARKHAM:— ‘« Str:—lI have the honor to report to yous complete victory over the Sioux, the particu- lars of which I request W. F. Cody, Chief of Scouts to make known to you, as to him is really due the one grand triumph. ‘* | say this without disparaging any one else, but in doing so must not forget to state that much is also due to Surgeon Frank Powell, whose distinguished services I will make known in my official report upon my return, along with special mention of the offi- cers and men I have the honor to command on this expedition. ‘‘Through some secret means, unknown to me, W. F. Cody gained the Pawnees as his allies, and, when freed from the siege he was held in by the Sioux, and which we went to rescue him from, he disappeared most mys- teriously, with a word left for me, to reap- pear at Hermit’s Pass with half a thousand braves under his command and there check the retreat of the large force of Sioux we were pursuing, attack the other bands sent there to ambush us, and thereby enable us to gain the victory which was crushing in its effects. ‘‘T regret to report the death of Lieuten- ants Varney and Dillon, and of seventeen men, while the wounded number about sev- enty, few, fortunately, seriously injured, ‘‘T shall camp here for needed rest, after one of the most rapid rides with a force of this size ever made, and then return by easy marches to the fort, but if required sooner a courier can readily find us, ‘‘ All that you require to know Cody can inform you of, as he is thoroughly posted on my movements from the rescue of himself and party at the timber to which Surgeon Powell so ably and rapidly guided us, and just in time to save them from massacre. ‘*] have also to report, with sincere regret, that Private Frank Fenton and two others are missing, supposed to have been captured by the Sioux, and would mention the con- spicuous bravery of Fenton throughout the expedition. ‘* With respect, ‘*T have the honor to be, ‘* Your obedient servant, ‘*‘ ANDREW MELTON, ** Com’@y expedition.” When Colonel Markham had finished read- ing this letter he held out his hand and said: ‘*] congratulate you, Cody, upon this well- deserved praise from Major Melton, but it is just what I expected of you, and of Sur- geon Powell, too, for somehow you work to- gether with wonderful cleverness and suc- CHAPTER XXYVII. BUFFALO BILL EXPLAINS. Tue scout smiled at the way Colonel Markaam had complimented him, and re- plied: ‘‘Oh yes, sir, I wasthere at the battle, but not with the soldiers, you know.” ‘Where were you?” ‘* At the pass, sir.” ‘* Alone?” ‘‘Oh no, sir, I had about five hundred Pawnee braves with me.” ‘‘In fact commanded a small Indian army yourself?” ‘“Yes, sir, and good fighters they were.” ‘‘I should judge so, to hold at bay two thousand Sioux with soldiers driving them.’” ‘“'You see, sir, I had the pass, the advant- age of position.” ‘‘Yes, but how was it that you had the Pawnees, Cody?” ‘‘Chief Knife Killer loaned them to me, sir, for when I was rescued by Major Mel- ton, I went with the Red skin Ropers who were with me to meet the band of warriors I had sent a courier to the Pawnee vilage to ask Knife Killer to send me, sir. ‘‘He sent more than I asked for, and placed them under my command, so we pressed on to the pass, for I had Indian scouts out who reported, as I felt sure they must do, that the Sioux were retreating that way to their village, and Major Melton was driving them,” ‘* And at the pass?” ‘‘My Pawnee scouts reported other bands of Sioux coming rapidly to the pass, and | knew that the defeated band had sent for re- inforcements to meet them there and am- bush the troops, ‘‘But I was first on the field with my Pawnees, we hid our ponies, and took posi- tion on the cliffs, and when the Sioux bands came up they went into ambush in the gap at the base of the ridge, so did not know of our presence there until we attacked them, which was when we saw the main. force nearly up to the pass and Major Melton pursuing.” ‘* And you defeated those there?” CC _——— cess. “Poor Varney and Dillon, and the other and taking the letter of Major Melton from ‘ brave fellows who fell with them, met the fate all soldiers must expect and died with their harness on. ‘“‘T hope none of the wounded will die, and I deeply regret this capture of Private Fenton and the two other soldiers, whom Major Melton does not name, “It would have been better had they been slain, for the Sioux are merciless in their revenge. ‘* Now Iam ready to hear your report of the affair, which from what the major writes must have been a most signal victory.” ‘‘Tt was, sir, as you will understand when I tell you that in rescuing my party at the timber, Major Melton had to face over a thousand warriors. away, led by a sergeant, while Buffalo Bill entered the private quarters of the colonel _ his pocket handed it to his commander with the remark. “Twas honored, sir, by Major Melton’s sending this letter by me, and requesting that I personally inform you of all that has taken place.” ‘‘Such a mission from Melton, Cody, means a special honor to you for services rendered, and I congratulate you indeed, _ and shall be glad to hear all that you have to say, which I hope is nothing of a disastrous nature to our brave boys in the field. “On the contrary, sir, let me say that I have the best news to communicate of a grand vic- u ne won by Major Melton, and alsoa story} ‘‘They had completely surrounded my of mportance to make known of an alliance position’ the t before, and were moving ” “a te ~ : ‘ ‘eat i ~— nae ™ J >." i, wo aoe “ey | » Ff a4 a , — ‘““We gave them a complete surprise, sir, and rolling rocks down upon them stamped- ed braves and ponies, ‘‘ We also held the pass when the whole force came on and charged us, and caught between the Pawnces in ambush, and the troops pursuing them hard, the Sioux be- came panic-stricken, and fled along the mountain base. ‘¢ The soldiers and their horses were worn. out, while the Pawnees and their pories were comparatively fresh, so I asked Maton Mel. ton to recall his menand let our allies con- tinue the pursuit, which he did. ‘That, sir, is the story of the fight.” “Yes, anda graphic one, only you haye not yet explained how it was, Cody, that you managed to get your army of Pawnees, for when I saw you last they were your bit ey ¢. vr » , e-&| Pag >* | | | A