South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-07-05
LIT TIE DAN .

Z.
on the headwaters Of the San Saba, and
Fort Mason. in the big bend OF the
l1iano, is about the same distance TO
The east, inclosing a triangular spot Of
country half as large as the State Of
Rhode Island a continuation OF the
Apache Mountains, called by hunters
"Gray Horse Hills" incloses triangle.
on the west. and over the prairie thus
shut in the red man IS king.
Six men, none of them hunters or
Indian fighters, but all we'll armed, had
been escorted from Fort Mason to
Territt, but on reaching that point the
Indians were found to he 80 numerous
and troublesome that military escort
to Fort McKavette could not be spar.
ed. There were forty one soldiers at
the post, hardly enough for its defense,
and it was plain. without q word from
the colonel, that not man could be
| spared.
There are redskins enough between
here and Mckave.te to destroy regi-
ment Of veterans he remarked. as the
chances were being canvassed. "rhe
best scout on the plains could not ride
over thirty miles per day, and he would
be almost certain to lose his scalp be-
fore he was out Of sight Of his post.
Take this glass and tell me what YOU
see."
1t was half an hour before SHUTDOWN.
The glass revealed Indians in every
direction. Some were riding at a swift
pace. others were motionless on the
knobs. and the fort was completely en-.
circled.
There's thousand if there is one
continued the colonel, as he received
the glass, 'and must get ready ut once
for hot time
Those six men had an GRAND and n
message of the utmost Importance, and
they 'uld not delay. There were two
veteran scouts at the post, but when
offered any sum to pilot the party
through, they shook their heads and
said:
The hull triangle is chin deep with
reds, and no living white man could a
void them
Yet the determination OF the six men
TO go on was not shaken.
You are lunatics!' exclaimed the
colonel, when his arguments were found
to be OF no avail, 'and I'll close the
gates and prevent you from goingr
Nevertheless, an hour after nigh.fall,
he came down to where the six men
were saddliny their horses, and said:
It's netting less than murder, but,
If you will go, let our little Dan 60 a.
long. lie knows the route, is brave and
cool headed, and if you'd take orders
from him there's one chance in q thous-
and that he'll take you through
And 'our little Dan soon joined the
! In 4,
Mexican, or q white man. He was nei.
Their boy nor man. He was human
being, less than five feet in height weigh
ell about ninty pounds, had long brown
hair, coal black eyes, long jaw, sallow
checks, and the biggest hand of any
man in Texas. As he stood looking Mt
the party, the colonel said:
Dan, these riders must be at Fort
McKavette at the carlicst'possiblc hour.
They put themselves undo: your orders,
and you will be readyin fifteen minutes
to start.
The being disappeared in the dark
ness without word, and in ten minutes
he was Mt the gate, ready to go. lie
was mounted on the largest mustang
ever seen around any Of the western
forts. lie had strapped on blanket
for sadie, filed his canteen with
whislley, and he had Henry iiflc, two
revolvers and an Arkansas bowie- knife
for weapons.
Which way shall you start outT anx.
iously inquired the colonel, as all " ere
ready.
The dwarf pointed straight toward
McKayette for reply.
We'll, goodbye, each one
AS the party passed through the gate
little Dan motioned for the men 10 ride
one behind the other, and then he
spurred forward and took the lead. His
mustang went Off ut an easy lope, and
the pace OF the other horses was regulat-
cd accordingly.
lie rode with his rifle resting in front
OF him, having no stirrups and holding
no rein, but guiding the horse entirely
by the pressure Of his knees. The feet
Of the horses made scarcely n sound as
they eantercd over the thick grass, and
the voice OF the prairie cricket sounded
terribly loud and harsh to the anxious
riders.
Two miles from the post, little Dan
suddenly turned TO the left, rode for
twenty rods Mt faster pace, and then
came TO n dead halt.
Listen : he whispered TO the circle
around him, and each car was strained
To catch the slightest sound. In the
course OF sixty seconds each man plain
ly made out for himself that dotach.
mcnt Of Indians were passing them not
over three hundred yards away. Dan
had been warned not a second too soon.
But for the swerve TO the left there.
would have been collision and butch
cry. For three or four minutes the
\ little band sat like statues, and it was
a happy relief when the dwarf whisper.
ed:
Follow each other at a walkr
Seven midnight shadows crept slowly
over the flower spriuklcd grass for n