The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-08-29

under the cover Of the bushes, and then
ran swiftly at right angles to my assail-
ants toward bare peak at some little
distance, whose rocky top would afford
me kind of forti6cation. They
OWNED that / had fled very
quickly, but were deceived as to
my course of flight, and it was not until
l was halfway to my intended position
that they discovered the point for which
was making They then pursued with
shots and frightfu1 yells, but few
bounds more and I gained the top and
found it far better for my purpose than
had anticipated. 1t had loose rocks
enough to afford ample protection, while
the ground for about 100 yards on all
sides was perfectly bare: I turned the
moment l gained the summit and sent
ball at the foremost of my pursuers, who
had just emerged from the bushes. He
gave yell and darted back again into
the cover, as did all his companions as
soon as they saw that did not intend
fleeing any further, for there is not
bravery enough in the whole Apache
in the face of a repeating rifle in the hands
OF determined, desperate man. Like
most other Indians they must have some
protection for their bodies, or their BRAY
cry soon vanishes in the air.
And just allow me to pause one mo-
ment here to make the assertion that of
upward of twenty tribes of Indians with
whom it has been my fortune or misfor-
tune to become personally acquainted,
the Apaches are the most arrant towards;
and, for this reason, the most dangerous
The first tWang of an Apache arrow, or
the first hiss Of ball, is conclusive evi-
dence that they have overwhelming odds
both in number and position; else they
would never have ventured upon an at
tack.
But to resume. My assailants now be-
gan to pour in a steady fire from their
hiding places, while at the same time they
rapidly spread themselves out so as to
completely enclrcle the knoll or peak at
whose top was. l paid no attention to
this for few minutes, busying myself
with arranging the loose rocks so as to
form more complete shelter. This was
easily accomplished, and lay down be-
hind my barricade, feeling for the time
quite secure. Inow examined the wound
l had received at the first fire, and found
it was a mere scratch, but my clothing
was completely riddled.
Meanwhile the Apaches were keeping
up dcsultory fire at my little fortress in
the vain hope that a stray bullet or arrow
might find an entrance. But now thought
l might as we'll show my teeth little, so
began carefully to select, from spots
fred from, the most probable portion of
the body concealed in them, and every
few minutes would send ball on an ex.
ploring expedition and with such good
effect that they soon ceased firing at me
altogether and turned their attention to
my flock, which had remained trembling
in their first position all this time. A
part were detailed for this purpose, while
the rest watched me, and soon saw their
| arrows piercing the helpless animals un-
til they had killed all they could possibly
| carry Oft, when they ceased.
mad hoped that when this operation
was completed they would depart, but
was very much disappointed to see that
they had no such intention. They knew
as we'll as that no alarm would be given
until l failed to bring the flock in at
night, and then the succor would not
start out until the next morning, and
they appeared determined to have my
scalp to revenge the braves had sent to
the happy hunting grounds. They would
not risk an assault in the daytime, and
so they were waiting for the night in
order to creep upon me under cover of
it's darkness. It was about three o'clock
in the afternoon when l was attacked,
and from that time until dark no further
shots were fired by either the Indians or
myself. They had doubtless good rca-
sons for not firing, and had no desire to
waste single ball of the stock of ammu-
milton had already drawn heavily upon
unless was certain of my shot. | had,
at the beginning Of the fray, some forty
rounds in my cartridge box, and eighteen
shots in my rifle, beside my revolvcrs to
fall back upon; and I felt confident of
the result, unless they should provoke
my fire until my supply was exhausted
and at their mercy. So I resolved to
make it an even exchange of an Indian
for ball, or else hold my fire.
The evening wore slowly and anxiously
away, and the night promised to be as
black as ink. It clouded up as soon as
the sun set, and in the distance could be
heard the muttered roll of threatening
thunderstorm Darkness came on very
quickly, and with it I knew would come
the last desperate attempt of the Indians
to effect my destruction. But when it
| came to skulking in the dark | was as
much at home as they, and l felt conf
dent of giving them the slip.
AS soon, then, as it was dark enough to
conceal my movements, slid cautiously
over my brcastwork, and in perfectly
prone position commenced crawling in a
direction directly opposite from the set
tlcmcnt hoping that that side would be
less guarded. I had almost reached the
cover, and was among some loose bowl
ders, when l suddenly detected dark
object crawling directly toward me. l
instantly reversed my position, and
moved a little to one side, hoping that if
he saw me he would take me for one of
his own party. It turned out as antici.
pated just opposite me he observed
me, but as was apparently cautiously
crawling in the same direction he was
thrown off his guard. He crawled slowly
on for a few PAGES, but for the
best of reasons / did not make
as good time as he; but all at
once he seemed to have his
suspicious aroused, and, turning, ad-
dressed me in a sharp, querulous whis-
per. My answer was to send a ball
crushing through his skull, and then to
dart into the cover. With another horri-
bic yell the whole band arose, some of
the nearest firing in the direction took,
while all joined in an eager pursuit I
gained the top of another ridge far in
advance of them all, but stumbling over
loose stone fell, almost stunned, for
ward. Instead of touching a smooth
rock, as l expected, I found myself
jammed into fissure which entirely ad-
mitted my body, while the stone l haG
liberated by my stumble went rolling
heavily off down the side of the noun
tain amOnp tho huches Nv nursuore