Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-10-31

both sides, which was Kept up lof Tue space
OF thirty minutes, when the Indians made
charge.
Robert Glendy and Thomas Smith fell
dead, and the Indians almost got possession
Of The wagon. Stimulated by their success
they repeated the charge, and were stubborn
ly met by these three determined men,
Poor Hector was the only victim A halt
dozen arrows went through his trusty heart
and with few convulsive quivers. ne stiff
fened out his form in death.
1t was an awful place to utter profanity,
but Albert Mapes swore terrible oath, as
he laid his hand carressugly upon the body
of his old companion.
Up to this moment no Indian had been
killed outright, though it was evident that
one or more were wounded, for the savages
gathered in group, many of them dis
mounting.
We'll pass in our checks If We remun
here" said Mapes sternly grounding the
butt of his rife and gazing at the savages -
Il think there's mighty little doubt that we
will follow poor Bob and Tom. But we
have got to die some time, .nd man can
do SO better than defending his life; but
it's hard to be wiped out of existence by a
set Of thieving Apaches. That's the only
thing that has a string in it for mo. Now
| If we could only reach Ranchero Greek, we
might fall in with the troops that are scout
ing in that vicinity Suppose we take the
mules and try it. It's, poor show for sue
coss, boye, as two of US will have to back
one mule and it's not likely Well have a
pleasant journey"
The proposition of Mapes was at once
adopted and for some unexplained reason
the savages followed close in the rear of the
party, but never fred shot until they cam
within sight of the creek They new were
within nine miles of Fort Lincoln. Their
spirits, however, fell when with eager eyes
they peered over the country and saw moth
but dense thickets and numerous Indian
trails They we're now in the most danger
GUS part of the country-a region usually
infested with savages, but also frequently
visited by scouting parties of the troops. =
In the hope of meeting one Of these detaeh :
! nlents they had set out, and the disappolnt-
| ment they now felt was something hardly to
be described.
Forcing their way with difficulty through
the chapparal. they reached hull OF rough
sandstone Springing from their mules,
which they hastily secured in their rear
they took refuge behind the rocks just as
their foes came upon them and opened fire.
It 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 the
two mules, which cut off all hope of escape
except 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 il ashamed Of being kept at bay by
such en- insignificant force. the Apaches
rode almost within arms length Of the men
and poured into them voley, after which
they quickly retreated Albert Mapes had
faced death ofteo in his Texan campaigns,
and no man had ever seen his cheek blancb
or his hand grow less steady IL the hour of
danger but when he saw Simpson and
Stiles fall forward Oh their faces, with their
| mouths full of blood, be involun tarily re.
coiled, while the lines about his weather
beaten face perceptiblv grew harder.
Quickly casting searching look about
him he espied an opening in the sandstone
| ridge, ard the next moment he sprang iuto
it. To his great joy. he found it toleraby
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 revolver,
which he had reserved for the last. 1t was
fortunate be did so, for in his flight into the
cave he lost tho rammer of his rifle. 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 success fully put into practice
an ingenious ruse. Stripping their dead
comrade of his apparel, they hastily made
manakih and carefully pushed it toward
the mouth of the cave. Mapes, deceived.
fred and the dummy fell and was withdrawn.
This they repeated until Mapes had ex-
hausted all his ammunition. From his
count he supposed he had slain OR wounded
every Apache present When his fees
were satisfied that his ammunition was ex-
ended they rushed into the cave and Sc
cured him To bring him forth amid exul-
tations and bind him on a pony was the
work of few moments only.
Then they set out On their ma rch with
their prisoner. By noon on the following
day they halted at their camp Of a hundred
lodges. Kiln cha.ah, OR Rattlesnake, was
the presiding chief From his contact with
the Mexicans he had learned Spanish, and
as Mapes spoke the language we'll he was
enabled to talk to the chief quite freely
"You have killed good many warriors,
said Rattlesnake, laughing, as he referred
to the trick al the cave.
IL would kill more, - replied the prison
er, ''if had the opportunity"
"You have big heart to talk SO brave
ly. Don't you know what intend doing
with you p
you will kill noe, suppose" replied
Mapes Its just what would have done
with one of your thieves had he fallen int
my power.
Rattlesnakc gazed at his prisoner for a
few moments, and then put him under
guard, securely bound.
The following day there was merry-mak
ing in the Apache camp. The Indians
were practicing gymnastics, and Mapes was
led out and bound to a tree, where he wit.
messed their athletic exercises. A smile OIL
derision curled his lip as be regarded the
sports Rattlesnake approached him.
"Can you do these things p he asked.
Mapes told him that be could do better
''Unbind him." commanded the chief =
"Now let me see you make good your
boast.
r. would h.5 q hoen difHcn1t IN find bet