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

horned cattle, Siiecp ana SWINE, ueStiuei
to feed the swarming population OF the
sterile mining districts, where provis-
ions, and meat in especial, command
high prices. The investment seemed
the more likely to be profitable. since
the twin plaques of New Mexico, drought
and locrsts, had occasioned notable
mortality among the cattle of Arizona
and the adjoining Territories, and great
pecuniary returns were anticipated.
All these calculations seemed likely to
be upset by the sudden outbreak of that
smouldering Indian war which never
quite comes to an end in that dangerous
region. The Apaches, the irreclaimable
foes of all white men, were on the war
path, leagued, ms was reported, with
sundry other tribes, the kiowas, the
Navajoes and the dreaded Comanches;
and already hideous tales of Indian
cruelty and massacre reached us from
many a lonely homestead within reach
of the spoiler Yet the day was ut hand
when the great herds of oxen and the
droves of swine already purchased would
be waiting at Cristobal for the compile
ton of the bargain, and my employers
were we'll aware that unless the cattle
could be paid for fatal blow would be
dealt to the credit of the firm. Messrs.
Curtis had strained every nerve to col
lect the ready-money necessary, and the
funds were forthcoming, but the entire
scheme ba,le fair to be frustrated by the
abrupt closing of the route, consequent
on the war. No man or party of armed
men could have been bribed to attempt
the conveyance OF the cash across the
plains. now haunted by the savage enc
my, when | astonished my employers by
volunteering to he the messenger.
You shall not have to repent it,
Harry. my boy" said the elder of the
two brothers, as he wrung my hand in
his horny one; ''vol've stood manfully
by us ut this pinch, and we'd he mean
enough II we didn't show gratitude
little more substantially than by few
fair words. We never yet did raise
clerk to be IA partner, but -. There,
there, Lyndham; did not intend to egg
YOU on by an offer, as il you needed that,
hastily added the honest old fellow,
fearing. rs he saw the color rise to my
face, that | had taken umbrage at his
rough speech. Come safe back to us,
lat, ana all Will ne right.
Mr.. James Curtis spoke words to
much the sume effect at the same time
bidding me he careful and indeed it was
curious to watch the struggle in my en-
plovers' minds between their natural
eagerness to escape financial wreck
that almost amounted to ruin, and the
kindly apprehension lest l should lose
nv life in their service.
As for myself, | knew well enough
how great was the risk ] ran, and for
how momentous Il stake | was about to
play, and had not the goal before my
mental vision been the great prospect OF
calling Rosamond my wife, even the
prospective partnership would hardly
have tempted me to set off on an errand
so perilnns. As il was, / was resolved
and as | got ready for the start | tried
quietly to weigh the chances for and
against my safely reaching Cristoba). l
had fair knowledge of the country,
which / had travorsed on four or five Oc-
casions, and was no novice in camping
out, or in the familiar incidents of prairie
travel. could ride well. too and was
better mounted than most of the resi-
dents in that district, where horsc-fiesh
is cheap and plentiful. having in my
possession splendid chestnut thorough
bred, originally brought from Kentucky
by some United States officer. and which
was celebrated for strength and speed.
| was fond of Sunbeam. and he of me,
for hc was ,lociic ana intelligent as well
rs swift, and would follow me for miles
as dog follows his owner, OF stand,
when ] babe him, with the reins hang
ing loose upon his glossy neck
There was scanty time for leavetak
ing 1t was deep in the afternoon when
started. II dozen or more Oi the younger
citizens of Tucson riding with me for
the first liali-hoiir, and giving me II
hearty cheer as we parted. More than
one strong right hand tremblod Il little
;ls il graspcn mine III hetoken OF aIleu,
and there WAS an nnwonted moisture
glistcning in the honest eyes OF some of
the kind hearted Young fellows rs they
wished me God speed and safe re-
turn Well do | remember wheeling
my stecd on little elevation in the roll
ling, flowcr-cnameled prairie, and wnv-
ing my hat in answer to the waving OF
hats and handkerchiefs from the little
knot of hOrsemen, not one OF whom, l
am sure, ever expected to see me again
on this side of the grave.
Far away to the left there glimmered
against the sky something like n shining
wall. imperfectly visible, but which l
knew to he the serrated crests and noun
tain peaks of the Mimbres, the natural
Businesses where dwclt the barbarian
tribes whose torch and tomahawk had
laid waste many happy home. Nor
were mcmcntoes of their hostility lack
ing as | traversed the track deeply
scanned by wagon wheels and strewed
with the bleached bones of mules and
nxnn that did duty for q rOal Eight