Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-01-13
itNlh wv NNth , =
Under n Load OF Hay.

and not only this, but the hay itself is n sin
gular production. A New Highlander would
take il for brushwood, and would as soon
think Of feeding his horses from his wood
pile as of giving them fodder so woody and
coarse.
Frequently instead of trying to NOW the
brush from which it is made, the hay gath
erers dig it up by the roots with stout hoes,
or cut it off with hatchets. Yet the mules
aud "buros (donkeys) will eat, or rather
gnaw it, and keep in fair condition. is
when they have time enough given them for
eating.
All the mules and horses used by the mi
ners, and on the stage and mail routes, are
fed on this brush hay. And the getting it
in from the country about the towns and for
tilted ranches is one of the perils incident TO
farming in that territory.
A party of half dozen men and boys viii
make contract to furnish hay to one of the
government posts, or at a mining ranche.-
They sally out with mules, carts, hoes, and
brush-hooks, and are armed with double-har-
relied guns and reyolvers.
Arrived at 4 place where "browse is
toerably abundant, these warlike hay max
crs fall to work to fell the grass, having first
posted one of their number, rifle in hand, to
look out for prowling Apaches
Not long since one of these having parties
was attacked and one of the boys had a most
exciting adyenture-one he will not soon
forget.
The party was under the charge of a Mr..
Gillespie. The men had been haying for a
week or over, near one of the government
mail stations, about sixty miles from Tue
son, and were driving home one afternoon
with wagon load.
Our boy hero tough little fellow of thir-
LII nartlatt h,1 Lnat. al.
and treading down the hay, and was now en-
joying a ride upon it, snugly burowed in
hole on the top
The wagon was drawn by four mules. and
was within half mile of the station, when
just as it was emerging from the scrub
growth of mesquit, there came terrific yell,
and in an instant the men were set upon by
n score of Apaches, who eaped out from the
bushes and began shooting their arrows and
charging up toward the wagon
AS i'll luck would have it the men had that
day taken but a single rifle with them for
during the whole week. they had seen no
signs of the savages Gillespie was quite
cool, however.
Hold the team, boys said he to the
three Others, and give me the gun
The moment he presented the rifle, the
Indians would leap backward, lodging from
side 10 side with wonderful adroitness, to
prevent him from taking accurate aim. At
the same time, too, they were shooting their
arrows with great dexterity.
One of the mules was hit and began to
plunge violently. Seeing this, the Apaches,
thinking perhaps, that the gun was not loaded,
approached still near the hay-makers, led
on by brawny, hideous savage, who seemed
to be their chief.
Gillespie saw that his party would be
overpowered.
" Cut the traces" said he, L" and run for
the station
Then taking deliberate aim at the big AI-
ache, he shot him through the head. With
a frightful yell and a flourish Of his war
club the savage dropped on the ground,
AT that the Others recoiled little. In the
confusion thus made the men with the
mules, closely followed by Gillespie, ran to-
ward the fort as fast as they could.
In the suddemess of the attack and flight,
they none of them thought Of the boy bur
rowed in the hay on the top of the load
When the Apaches set upon them, Luke
had crouched down amid the hay and cud-
died all the closer when the arrows began to
fly. There he lay completely hidden; and
the savages were yelling so Justify that he
did not hear Gillespie tell the men to cut the
traces He heard the rifle shot and the ter
there was clatter and hull.
He was just on the point of peeping out
from his hiding-place when he heard the saw
ages near the wagon. With a shudder of
horror he skunk down into the hay again,
knowing not that he was left alone among
them.
His first thought was to leap off the road
and run for his life. But he hestated about
doing it; and it was well that he did, for the
sayages had not seen him.
They at once began TO wrangle for the
parts of the harness this had been left at
tached TO the wagon. One of the haymakers
had dropped pitchfork and another hoe.
These were eagerly seized by the savages
with whoops of joyous laughter.
Not daring to STIR Luke lay still, fearing
that even his heart-beats Yuld betray him
to them.
The iron tires of the wagon wheels next
attracted the notice of some Of the Indians,
and they began to beat upon them with their
clubs. One of the wheels was soon broken,
and one corner of the load fell heavily to the
ground
Luke now gave himself up for lost but he
was buried so deeply in his nest that still
the sayages did not see him. They pounded
at the wheel till they got the tire off, talking
and whooping all the while.
Then the iron work of the cart body I'M
derneath caught their eyes. Luke could
feel them pulling and wrenching, and they
yelled and cuifed each other as they worked
at it.
Not succeeding in getting it off, they
leaped back with angry whoops, and then
suddenly sprang at the wagon-body, and
Juggling and lifting at the side, overturned
it, hay and all.
Luke could not help an involuntary cry, as
he struck the ground with the hay over him.
Fortunately it was drowned by the shouts of
the savages. lie was considerably shaken
by the fall, but still had sufficient sense TO
lie quiet. The Indians We're all on the far
ther side when the load was upset Even
now he escaped their notice.
They now began pounding the wagon
body with their clubs, TO detach the iron
braces and bands. Luke could hear the
ally q howl of wrath or pain as they hurt
each other or themselves in their hasty
efforts.
Suddenly one Of the savages gave loud
whoop. Then there was silence. Almost
at the same time he heard several gun-shots
at distance; and Immediately the tramp
ing of horses coming nearer.
As he lay on the ground he soon heard
the sound of hoofs upon it very distinctly.
lie knew it was Gillespie and his men com
ing back with the soldiers at the station.
They rode up and around the dismantled
wagon. Some lingering spark of mischief
prompted Luke to lie still.
Poor boy they've got him surel' ex-
claimed voice.
"Dont see any signs as if they'd muir
dered him |" observed another, jumping off
his horse TO look about Perhaps they've
carried him off with them