The Trail of Black Hawk

by Paul G. Tomlinson

Walt and Joseph were riding in the rear rank of the party. They were scarcely out of sight of their camp now, but a sudden yell warned them that already the enemy had been discovered. Far out on the prairies appeared a small grove and between this and the fort were three Indians riding backward and forward.

The reconnoitering party started after them at full speed and were soon strung out in a long line across the prairie. The three Indians immediately upon sighting the white men, turned and rode for the grove as fast as their horses could carry them. Joseph had started from the rear but thanks to the speed of The Swallow was soon up with the leaders. Robert had been in the van from the start and Deerfoot and Mason were with him.

In the meantime Major Dement had been observing his party of scouts from a vantage point he occupied near the fort. He saw all that was happening and he immediately suspected a trick. The three Indians were racing straight for the grove and he feared that concealed there were reinforcements, who were merely waiting for the little band to ride into the trap set for them. The Major at once jumped upon his horse and with a small portion of his men set out to overtake the scouts and warn them of their danger.

He was well mounted and before a great distance had been covered was able to come up with the hindermost members of the band. Several men, however, were so far in advance in their mad pursuit of the Indians that he was unable to reach them in time. Among this number were Robert, Joseph, Deerfoot and Walt. The calls and shouts of their comrades did not reach their ears and on they raced. The fleeing Indians were making for the grove some three miles distant, hotly pursued by the Major’s men.

When they were a little less than a half-mile from the grove Major Dement dismounted his men and formed them in a line. Seven or eight were still in advance, however, intent only upon overtaking the Indians. Joseph now led the pursuit, with Walt close behind him. Then came four men who were of Major Dement’s original command and bringing up the rear rode Robert and Deerfoot. The last two mentioned were in that position solely on account of the speed of their horses. Certainly Robert would have led the party if he had had his wish.

Nearer and nearer to the grove they came. On they kept without the least suspicion of the danger to which they were exposing themselves. Major Dement had drawn up the men who had dismounted on a little ridge, and with intense anxiety they watched their comrades approach the grove.

Suddenly it happened as the Major had feared. From out the shelter of the grove poured the Indians. They were all mounted, stripped to their waists and painted for battle. A galling fire poured from their guns and two of the white men fell to the ground lifeless. One of these two was Walt. The bullet had entered his temple and one glance was sufficient to assure Joseph that his companion was dead.

He turned and fled, and with him fled the five remaining members of the daring little company. A volley from the men on the ridge killed two or three of the Indians, but the rest came on at undiminished speed. As they reached the bodies of the two dead soldiers a large number surrounded them, clubbing and stabbing the lifeless remains. By the time that Joseph and his five companions reached the ridge where their comrades were drawn up in line the red men were close upon them and upon both flanks.

The Indians had sallied forth with terrific yells which had been heard by the soldiers remaining at the fort. This portion of the battalion had been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for any emergency, but at the sound of the guns and the war whoops they mounted their horses and started to the rescue of their companions. Coming nearer, however, they met Major Dement and his men fleeing in hot haste, and upon seeing the number of the Indians they, too, turned and retreated toward the fort.

A mad race ensued in which the Whites were victors by a narrow margin. They were first to reach the blockhouse, however, and springing from their horses they quickly occupied the defenses. It was necessary to leave their mounts outside and the horses were huddled together around a work bench on the least exposed side of the fort. The best marksmen immediately took their places at the portholes.