THE GOLDEN CAVES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 6376, 11 February 1892, Page 4

THE GOLDEN CAVES.

A STORY OF LOVE, ADVENTURE, AND LUCK.

[BY 21. QT7AD.I

CHAPTER IV.

If the noise of battle is deafening, the silence which follows is oppressive. There is more menace in silence when peril than in the roar of cannon. AS'Mght Bhut down over the beleaguered on the little plateau a few boasted and exulted.over tbe successful def enoe, but the greater portion were silent and luaxioUs.' ":'-'•■ The fed man is a wild beast of higher type than the tiger, but he has all the instincts and characteristics of the dreaded animal. The tiger sleeps by day and roams abroad when darkness comes. The Indian does'the same when left to his own will, if cirounJstances do not prevent. His vision at night is animal-like, and his scent is keener ■when the sun goes down. The Captain passed around the fortification as soon as the firing died away, to see what loss had been sustained. One man and two horses had bc3n slightly wounded. He gave orders that one-half of them should prepare themselves such a meal as it was possible to gßt without a fire, and then go 'back 1 tb the breastworks and relieve the other half. There was no danger of an immediate attaok. The Indians had received a set back which would dampen their ardor for several hours to come. Bess had retreated to the wagons, and the men '. were enthusiastic in praise of her courage. . Three or four of them had witnessed her exhibition of nerve and every one was determined to shake hands and bestow _ few words of commendation. While they were so engaged Joe slipped quietly over the breastworks and lifted the warrior she ■ had shot into the inclosure. He was an athletic young fellow, wearing the feathers of a,sub-chief, and the look of fury and hate had not yet faded from his face. When he brought the feathers to Bess he said : . "There's none among us ever made a better shot. He was a leader among them." " But I'm so sorry I had to do it," she pleaded. "Oh! if they'd only leave us alone or be at peace ! Think of my taking human life !" "And I'm afraid the worst is not over, whispered Joe. " I know the devils. They'll never leave us until they havo our scalps. You may have to shoot others." The girl burst into tears at the thought, but quickly brushing tbem away, she said : "Their blood be upon their ewn heads. " My mother used a rifle against the rebellious Sepoys when attacked, and I should be ashamed if I did not help in my own defence here." When aHhad broken their fast the cap- . tain whispered to Joe and two others whom he knew to be experienced in Indian warfare, and as they crouched down under the shelter of the breastworks he said : " I've got my idea about this thing, but I want to counsel with yon. First and foremost, there's anywhere from two hundred to three hundred and fifty redskins around us." " Fully three hundred," replied Joe. " They attempted to ride over us, but were soundly thrashed," cominued the Captain, «• If there were only 100 they'd pull up stakss and tackle us further on, but this big crowd won't think of such a move. We've got the whiprow on 'era in one sense, but before to-morrow night every tongue will be parched with thirst. If they hold us here three days we'll be drinking the blood of the horses. In a week we'll be madmen. Now, then, who has anything to say ?" Not a voice answered for a long minute ■ and then it was Joe who replied: "There's only ono thing to hang a hope on. If we can get help to beat 'em off we are saved for the time. If we can't we must go under." " Why not mount the horses and make a dash for it, leaving the outfit in their hands?'' queried one of the men. " How many would live to get twenty miles away, do you think? Not one ! The ■Indians would ride over us in no time. I tell you, boys, we have (jot into 3 bad row, and I must confess that I can't see any way out of it. But what's your string, Joe ?"

"The day we left Brule City I saw a man who had come down from Fort Sully," replied the young man. "He said that troops had been ordered forward to protect emigrants, and that a number of goldgeekers, hunters, and trappers would start with the soldiers. If that body of men followed the Big Cheyenne, which of course they would do up to the Forks, and if they Btarted two days behind us, as thoy were to, where should they be now ?" " Being mounted as we are, and having three or four wagons at least, they'd make about our distance. The Forks are not over twenty miles away, and they may be there to-night or not get up for another day yet. But how are we to get help from them ?" " Let them know of our peril." " Can any of ub fly ?" " No, but we can walk and run and ride. One of us must be out of here within an hour and on tho way to the Forks. Ho must find the men from Sully and bring 'em down on the rear of this force of redekiDS." " A rabbit couldn't make his way through the circle the demons have formed about ns," replied the Captain in tones of dejection. " But a man of my size can and will!" exclaimed Joe. " I know the risks, but the game is worlh it. If I lose my scalp it will be only two or three days in advance of the rest of you. If I get through I shall

save you all." The right hand of every man went out to him in the darkness, but it was two long minutes before the Captain said : " I wouldn't ask it of you, Joe, but if you will volunteer we'll all pray to God to spare your life. Your success is the only thing that will save us. What is your plan?" " I can speak a few words of the dialect of almoßt any tribe in the West," replied Joe, " and I shall strip that dead body for a disguise. I can't hope to got out unperceived, but I hope to bo taken for an Indian long enough to get through the lines.' The knowledge of what Joe proposed to do waß kept from the majority of the men. The body of the dead warrior was dragged among the wagons, stripped of its buckskin suit, and in the course of half-an-hour tho young hunter was ready to take his leave. He had transformed himself into an Indian, so far as outward appearances went, and the men were more hopeful of his plan. The Captain and a couple of the men accompanied him to the north side of the inolosure, and after a cautious survey of the grounds outside Joe whispered : "Itis as I hoped for; more than half the bodies have already been removed. The red-ekins must be made to think 1 am one of the party engaged in the work. lam all | ready. Any special word, Captain ?" "No. If yon find the party they will I help us out of our fix. If they do not catch ' us napping or rush us too often we can hold out here for a week, but every one will have to drink blood after to-morrow. If you do not return we'll know that you could not find the party. Now, then, God speed you!" Joe softly mounted the breastwork, tomahawk in hand, dropped to the earth outside, and a minute later was lost sight of iv tho darkness. The three men left behind listened with bated breath. Joe must enter the gully filled with Indians. If bis disguise was penetrated and he was made prisoner the fact would be announced by whoops of rejoicing. The silence would have been that of the grave but for tho chirp of the crickets. The men could hear each other's heart beat as they leaned against each other aud listened for an alarm. One two—three — four — five minute■ dragged away. It is when a man's life is at stake that the minutes pass like lightning flashes or drag like eternities, Six—seven— eight—nine—ten! Joe must have reached the gully ere this. If not suspected at the first go-off he would not be suspected at all. Five minutes more passed away, and the Captain drew a long breath of relief and whisperod: "He will get through. Lot ua thank God." The night was starlight, but a Bort of log hung in the air, and if the Indians made a night attack they could not be seen until close up to the breastwork. The Captain no sooner felt that Joe wai well launched on his perilous errand than he returned to the men and issued his orders for the night. The* Indians had suffered such a severe loss that they might not attempt to carry the fort by storm again, even under shelter of the darkness, but no precaution must bo neglected. That their loss had discouraged them and resulted in retreat was not to bo hoped for. It would render thorn more determined to have the walp oi every man in the train. An Indian who learns caution from heme re pulsed becomes more dangerous than before! Instead of the tiger's rush it becomes the advance of the serpent. Ferocity is temporarily replaced by cunning and strategy, and he may be feared at a dozen points instead of one. "Watoh! Listen! Be alert!" were tha Captain's orders " Not one Indian must reach the breastwork if we would let toaorrow'a snn find our scalp* on onr heads!"

And by and bvlhe camp grew quiet and i the' _ight l drdglits 5 tfldw leugth away. j [to be continued.'! j