The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-01-29

allay that tormenting thirst, which is
the great terror of the solitary wayfarer
on those burning plains. Wherever
there was water, too. there was pasture
for my horse; while for my own susie
nance. was provided with tiny sort OF
beef, cut in strips and dried in the sun
in Mexican fashion, and with bag OF
parched maize cobs. These, with flask
of French brandy. Spanish poncho,
and ammunition for my carbine and re-
volver, made up all my equipment, save
only my canteen with its tin cup, anu
the leather saddle-bags wherein were
slowed away the money destined to re-
deem the credit of Curtis Brothers with
| their creditors at Cristobal. On the
evening of the third day halted IN
/ well watered dell near the head OF
creek. and at distance, rs / computed,
of one hundred and twenty miles from
Tucson. Eighty miles more, mt most,
would carry me to Fort Webster, and
once across the CHA / should be safe
and could make certain of completing
my journey to Cristobal. Hitherto l
had met with no living soul, friendly or
hostile More than once | had fancied
that on the dim horizon had caught
glimpse of tail spears and feathered
heads; and on one occasion had beheld
distant cloud of dust arise from the
bare brown surface of the desert. but
this might as easily have been occasioned
by the passage of herd of bison or OF
wild horses rs of the Apaches or their
allies. My spirits rose as | proceeded
on my way and l began to feel confident
of success.
On that night. lying wrapped in my
poncho, with my saddle for a pillow,
and my weapons within reach, dreamed
| was ut home again. and a boy once
more. for saw my sisters faces around
me. and those of former friends and
playmates long dispersed, when sudden
ly L was aroused by the shrill, eager
ncighing of my horse, teathered hard
by, and, waking with Il start, opened my
eyes to encounter the fierce eyes glaring
upon me from hideous painted face,
bending over mine, and 80 close rs we'll
nigh to touch it. l felt an Indians hot
breath upon my cheek, as he stopped
over me, while of his purpose there
could be little doubt, for, as could see
by the dim light of the dying watchfire,
he was freshly besmeared with war paint,
and one hand held a glitterinG knife.
As started up, and grasped the butt OF
the revolver lying beneath my head, the
Indians other hand clutched me by the
wrist, while again my steed Weighed
shrilly. and as | propped myself on one
knee | could SEQ that Sunbeam was
plunging and rearing violently, while
two dark forms were gliding about the
spot where the horse was fastened, up
parently intent on christening the long
lariat by which he was battered to the
ground.
There are confused recollections of
which memory is never able afterwards
wholly to unravel tho tangled thread. l
remember brief, sharp struggle, dur
ing which / twice received Il slight Craze
from the knife that the Apache carried,
and then my right wrist was freed from
the hand TINT grasped it, and the sharp
crack of the pistol broke the stiffness.
Then, almost Immediately, | heard the
thud of galloping hoOfs upon the crisp
turf of the prairie, and saw two mounted
men, whose futtering blankets and
pumed heads proclaimed their nation
atty, ride off into the darkness. At my
feet lay my first assailant. The two
eagles feathers fastened by silver
brooch to his long black hair denoted
that he had been chief or principal
warrior, while the paint and tattooing
proved him to belong TO the great tribe
OF Apaches.
Ny great source of anxiety now was,
lest the two braves who escaped should
! have comrades within reach. and | once
decided that to press on was my wisest
policy. Ii was now the dark hour that
precedes the dawn, but snddling Sun
beam. whom found fretful and agitated
after his recent interview with the red
robbers, ! resumed my journey. Up to
this time | had spared my horse, bnt
now heavy rs was the sickly heat, and
long rs were the hours to be spent in
triversing the brown dcsolate plain with
ont grass or water, urged Sunbeam ON,
the shining peaks OF the Mimbres he
coming more and more distinctly visible
us we sped on our way. Poor Sunbeam
showed for the first time signs of distress
as we halted beside Il stream, the brack-
ish waters of which seemed to burn the
thirsty lips that craved for them, but we
were now, rs ! computed. within three
hours of the River CHA, beyond which
was safety.
The sterile, stony desert which spread
itself before me when, on the next morn
ing, my jaled steed und again set forth
upon the track, was almost bare Of YER
dure. The long drought, and the heat
of the scorching sun, and withered every
green blade, while pools had creeks
which ought to have been full of sweet,
pure water, were now mere belts OF
single, or hollows paved with dried
clay ! shared the last drops of the
precious fluid carried in my canteen,