The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-10-10

OrclnS their way with difficulty through
the chaparfal, they reached hill of rough
sandstone. Springing from their mules,
which they hastily secured in their real,
they took refuge behind the rocks just as
their foes came upon them and opened fire.
1t wanted but little more than an hour of
night, and the savages seemed determined
to settle matters ere darkness came Their
first new grief now was the death of both
mules, which cut off all hope of escape ex-
cept by foot. With yell, on came the
foe, but suddenly halted short of the spot
where the three men stood prepared to fight
with determined obstinacy and courage.
AS if ashamed of being kept at bay by
such an insignificant force, the Apaches
rode almost within arms length of the men
and poured into them volley, after which
they quickly retreated. Albert Mapes had
faced death often in his Texan campaigns,
and no man had ever seen his check blanch
or his hand grow less steady in the hour of
danger; but when he saw Simpson and
Stiles fall forward on their faces, with their
mouths full of blood, he involuntarily re-
coiled, while the lines about his weather
beaten face perceptibly grew harder.
Quickly casting searching look about
him, he espied an opening i'll the sandstone
ridge, and the next moment he sprang into
it. To his great joy, he found it tolorably
spacious, while the entrance was large
enough to admit but one man at time.
Here he resolved to sell his life as dearly as
possible. In his belt he Carried a revolver,
which he had reserved for the last. 1t was
fortunate he did SO, for in his fight into
the cave he lost the rammer of his rife.
His foes, who saw him enter his retreat,
now pressed toward the mouth of the cave.
One of the more daring attempted to enter
and was shot dead in his tracks.
The lesson was sufficient for the savages,
who at once successfully put into practice
an ingenious ruse. Stripping their dead
comrade of his apparel, they hastily made
a manakin and carefully pushed it toward
the mouth of the cave. Mapes, deceived,
fired, and the dummy fell and was with
drawn. This they repeated until Mapes
had exhausted all his ammunition, From
his count he supposed he had slain or
wounded every Apache present. When
his foes were satisfied that his ammunition
was expended they rushed into the cave
and secured him. To drag him forth amid
Civilizations and bind him on a pony was
the work Of few moments only.
Then they set out on their march with
their prisoner. By noon on the following
day they halted at their camp of hundred
lodges. Klin-cha-ah, or Rattlesnake, was
the presiding chief. From his contact
with the Mexicans he had learned Spanish,
and as Mapes spoke the language well, he
was enabled to talk with the chief quite
freely.
''You have killed a good many warriors"
said Rattlesnake, laughing, as he referred
to the trick at the cave.
81 would kill MORE" replied the prison.
er, eff had the opportunity"
''You have big heart to talk SO bravely.
Don't you know what intend ooing with
you s''
'EYou will kill me, l suppose" replied
Mapes. "It's Just what l would have done
Will, o,,- ~r s-~.-- +r;---- I1 L. A-IIo-. iIIUV
my power"
Rattlesnake gazed at his prisoner for
few moments, and then put him under
guard, securely bound.
The following day there was merry
making in the Apache camp. The Indians
were practicing gymnastics, and Mapes
was led out and bound to a tree, where he
witnessed their athletic exercises. A smile
of derision ourled his lip as he regarded the
sports. Rattlesnake approached him.
''Can you do these things?'' he asked.
Mapes told him that he could do better.
''Unbind him." commanded the chief,
'sNow let me see you make good your
boast.''
1t would have been difficult to find bet
ter gymnast than Albert Mapes. He out
leaped the best Apaches in the camp; he
ran swifter and excelled them in every
thing they attempted. Rattlesnake regard
ed him with a look of satisfaction.
''My brother has spoken truly" he re-
marked, for the first time using that term.
''How would he like to become chief and
remain with us? He has big heart"
II would prefer it to dying, of COURSE"
replied Mapes, with a laugh.
cit is well," answered the chief.
That day Mapes was presented to Rat
tlesnake's daughter, who was to be his
squaw. She was not as comely as some of
the Indian girls present, neither was she
as young; but Mapes exhibited no aver
sion to making her his wife, and Rattle
snake, in his iberality, gave his daughter
as dover fne lodge, dozen ponies and
a few goats. With these Mapes and his
squaw commenced lodge-keeping.
There was one thing connected with this
arrangement that our newly-made chief
did not relish. He was bound never to
leave the camp without his wife's permis-
sion, and she took care that he was always
under her eyes. For two years Mapes con-
tinued with the Apaches, never wholly
losing hope of escaping. He was now