The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-05-23
CAPTURED BY THE COMANCHEs.

Robert McRae was Scotchman, who
came to Texas, bringing with him two
children, a son of thirteen, and daugh-
ter of eleven, the sole survivors of a
once numerous family.
Alec, as the boy was called, was a
bright, pleasant lad, obedient, thought
full and kind, while Mollie was one of
the most winsome, pleasing little girls
that ever claimed fathers love.
After spending some months in San
Antonio, Mr.. McRae purchased tract
of land upon the Medina River, upon
which he established stock ranch, and
after building him suitable house,
moved out 10 it, accompanied by an old
negro woman, who acted as cook for
himself and herders.
In the meantime the children, who
remained in San Antonio, had made
many friends, some of whom, when the
time came for Alec to accompany his
father to the ranch, endeavored to dis
suade him from going.
The boy, however, who was now four
teen, could not resist the fascinations of
the pony and rifle which his father had
bought for him, or the prospect of an
outdoor life in the glorious climate of
southwestern Texas; while little Mollie
declared that it was not only her pleas
ure, but her duty, to accompany her
father and brother.
Mr.. McRae would have left Moilie
behind; but she refused to be separated
from her brother with SO much per-
sistency that her father at last consented d
to her accompanying them. After a
weary journey of many days, they
reached their new home in safety, and
Mollie soon became the petof the neigh
borhood for miles around.
Shortly after their arrival at the
ranch, Mr.. McRae was induced. for
greater safety, to build stockade about
his house, i. e., a strong fence, consist
ing of stout posts set close together.
The stockade was of sufficient height to
prevent the Indians from. leaping their
horses over it, or from shooting over it
when on horseback.
A Comanche warrior considers it be-
meath his dignity to leave his saddle for
the purpose of scaling fence. Indeed,
aComanche warrior never dismonnts in
the presence of an enemy, except upon
the compulsion of a rife-ball, or some
other equally convincing argument.
After the stockade had been com.
pleted, therefore, Mr.. McRae regarded
his dwelling as SO safe and impregnable
from any Comanche attack, that he fire..
quently left his little family alone for
two or three days at time, while he
visited the ranch where his cattle were
feeding.
One beautiful morning in the early
spring, was visiting at ranch about
ten miles below that of Mr.. McRae,
where the neighbors, within the circle
of i've or six miles, had assembled to
witness the annual rodeo, or spring
branding.
Some ten or dozen persons besides
the herders had gathered there. While
waiting for the irons to become suffi
GENTLY hot, we noticed a man on horse
back, far off on the prairie. He was
urging his horse toward us at the ami.
malls utmost speed. We watched him
with no little curiosity. AS he ap.
preached, we recognized Mr.. McRae
He was without hat or coat. 1t was
easy to see from his appearance that
something was wrong.
AS he brought his horse to a sudden
halt before us, the fierce glare of hi,
eyes and the ashen hue of his face tolo
of terrible news, even before his white
lips could gasp out, "The Comanches
boysi the Comanchesl the childrenr'
Where9 where~ were the word
that sprang from dozen lips.
"They have carried 'em of. The,
were out picking flowers" was the hoars
reply.