Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-01-26

country.
| was on n trip with hun from Sonora to
the Rio Grande. Just after we had started
from the station of the Butteriield Overland
Mail Company, known as DRAGON Springs, in
Southern Arizona, he called my attention to
puff oil light blue smoke. IL had risen sud
denly high ia the air, in a graceful column
from a spur of the Chirlcahui Mountains.
Remaining suspended for a moment, it then,
as if 10y magic, melted into the clear atmos-
pierre leaving not a trace behind.
What does that mean, Pedro p in
quired |.
" That's the Apaches' way Of telling their
friends there are strangers on the plains.
When it's repeated two or three times, it in
dicates that the party is large and we'll
armed. It is their way Of telegraphing as
you call it," replied Pedro. These APP
aches are the smartest wickedest and most
cunning of all the Indian tribes I've ever
met and I've never yet seen white man
that was any match for EN-
You don't exactly mean that, do you,
Pedro ?" inquired |.
That's exactly what mcan," was the
answer You Americans will never UNI
derstand them. No one ever saw q white
man give that attention TO the route he
travels that an Apache does. An Apache
will carefully examine everything. Not a
ravne, gully rock, bush, tree or stump, large
enough to afford concealment to an enemy,
viii escape his notice, while white man
will be satisfied with the most general idea
he can obtain while passing through the
country.
Now we don't imagine there's an Indian
within a dozen miles Of us, at least; but it
wouldn't surprise me if there was one within
as many yards
zone within as many yards of us re-
peated |, Involuntary. why, where could
/ he conceal himself p
That's just it," answered Pedro. You
might pass within ten feet, and never detect
him. They'll conceal themselves behind
/ brown bush. or a clunp of cactus. or a rock.
SO cunningy that not one man in fifty would
| detect them. Sometimes they will cover
themselves with grass. and lie upon the
ground for hours, waiting patiently for a
party to pass, that they may ascertain the
| number and quality of their arms.
I've known ono to so adroitly cover his
gray blanket with dirt, that I've passed
within twelve feet, and, although saw him
perfectly, supposed him to be a part of the
granite boulder against which he lay.
"That smoke" continued he. pointing to
! the notwithstanding column, far to our
right ais for the purpose Of calling the
bands together. and means mischief. or Pm
mistaken. sha'n't be surprised if we have
a brush with em before a great while.
There are only six of MS. all told, and we
must be prepared for the rascals when they
do Gomez
This information was ANYTHING but agree
able to me but it was important that |
should be at Mesilla upon a certain dav, and
as it was necessary there should be as little
DELAY as possible il | would arrive on time.
we must keep on our way.
We rode on very cautiously. therefore. but
at such a gait as would bring us to Apache
Pass Through which our road law before
night am willing to admit that | had
much less confidence in our ability to sue
ccssfully cope with any baud of Apaches we
might chance to meet, then when we started
in the morning
At this time had been resident Of the
territory but a few months. and although
had heard much of this terrible tribe, and
had passed through portions of their coun-
try two or three times, | had never yet seen
one. Naturally enough, | had begun to
think they were not so dangerous as they
were represented to be.
Pedro's information, however, had awak-
ened a dread of them in my mind, that made
me exceedingly uneasy lest we should meet
with party before We reached our destna-
ton.
All day long we steadily pursued our
course through the hot sun and binding
dust, constantly on the qui rice for Apaches.
But not one did we see.
We arrived safely at the Pass. Comfort
ably quartered in the corrai of the Mail
Company, | did not fail to remind Pedro of
the needless alarm he had caused me, re-
marking that never saw guido that didn't
like to brighten a party if he could.
My statement was Immediately endorsed
by the station-keeper. For two mouths
after came to the Pass he said, 81 laid
awake every night, or slept with my rifle in
my hand, expecting au attack. But during
the five months have lived here, | have
seen only two or three of the Indians, and
they are very friendly"
Observations Of n similar character were
freely indulged in by the entire company.
Pedro quietly sat at one side, smoking his
"shuck," and occasionally Struggling his
shoulders, and mutterng, in a significant
tone, QUEEN saJe," or "Who knows 2"
The night passed without any signs of the
much-dreaded Apaches. Breakfast over, we
set forth with light hearts for tho Rio San
Simon, where we intended to remain that
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