Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-06
had been dogging our trail for q day

1liilt JNOV 1INioO1 ny W lilC 1Lltt
stopped. The first we transfers knew
of the presence of the savages was from
chorus of their schreeches, followed
instantly by half-a-dozen rife-shots.
Seeing their numbers, our two leaders
wheeled about, after firing, and galloped
back to us. Uncle Nat shouting:
"Down off them wagons with yer
guns and beat 'em off"
But the Apaches were upon us before
we could even look to our carbines.
They charged on US at once. Shots
cracked sharp and hot, but there was
little stopping for aim.
The it was hand-to-hand with them.
Uncle Nat and Powell got out of it
their horses took them off. The two
Strondsly boys, on the hind team, cut
loose each a mule and tried to escape,
but were both run down and shot.
Old Rube was killed on the seat OF the
wagon, before he dropped his reins. As
for myself, jumped down and fred one
sho5, then dubbed my gun, But a
lance-thrust from one of the mounted
Apaches went through my clothes and
tore through the skin along my ribs,
with such force that it poked me head
long, partly beneath the wagon.
Three or four others drove their lances
at me as I lay there, and an arrow
struck into the ground close beside my
cheek. The mules were jumping, too,
and barely escaped the heavy wheels.
The instant the wagon moved from
over me. I was seized by two or three OF
the yelling savages at once. That my
last hour had come had no doubt. But
instead of dispatching me, they tied my
hands behind my back and let me get
up-saving me for torture, it may be, or
possibly for ransom.
The chief, a stalwart, hideous-faced
old rascal, seemed to give some order,
when three others came dragging the
Mexican, LONE, out where l stood.
He was severely wounded; one arm
hung helpless, and an arrow was stick
ing in one of his legs. An Apache
caught hold of it and jerked it out. Oh,
how the poor fellow screamed They
tied us two together with about four feet
of rope slack betwixt us.
The savages seemed jubilant over
their prize, particularly the powder; and
no doubt all the supplies were very ac
ceptable to them.
They whooped and danced and
squalled extravagantly; and, as soon as
the party came back from pursuing after
i: Powell and Uncle Nat, the whole band
set off toward the mountains, in the
northeast, driving the three wagons
along with them.
The Mexican and I had to plod be-
hind, tied together. Poor LONE was in
sorry plight, and groaned at almost ev-
cry step. As for myself, was not much
hurt but thought our chances looked
poor indeed.
In this way we went on for an hour or
two; but about an hour before shutdown
the band halted, and, after some con-
sultation, the chief with all but eight Of
the party set off on another expedition.
These eight then continued on with
the wagons and with us in charge. We
presumed they were going to some one
of their villages; and what sort of re-
ception there was in store for us when
we reached it was not hard to guess.
Night fell. By this time we had en-
tered among cliffs and mountains. Still
we kept on, hour after hour, till it must
have been past midnight. I concluded
we were to travel all night, but at length
our captors halted the teams and turned
the mules loose.
They then tied me fast with my back
to the hind wheel of one of the wagons
so that [ stood back to the outer side
of the wheel. LONE they served in a
similar way at the forward wagon.
Without kindling fire or preparing
food, the Indians lay down near by and
seemed to go to sleep.
1t was not pleasant situation, stand
ing there, tied in that way. The night
was dark, but I could see that we were
in a deep gorge, with high crags and
rocks on both sides. LONE was groan-
ing and saying his Catholic prayers.
On account of his broken arm, the
savages had not tied him as they had
me. Later on, he slipped his sound arm
out, and, untying himself, crept along
where [ was. But he was so sick and
faint-hearted that I could not persuade
him to unbind me. He seemed not to
dare to and he did not understand what
said in English very well.
While I was whispering to him, Or
dering him in no gentle tones to cut my
rope, one Of the Indians started up. On
that, Lone skunk back to his wheel, and
would not again stir from it. I was so
angry with this poor-spirited fellow that
could almost have seen him tortured
with relish.
Not long after it began to get light,
and the Indians, waking up, built a fire
of brushwood, and for some time sat
warming themselves by it; for the morn
ing air was very chilly. Then toward
sunrise uney Knocked open one OF the
beef barrels, and, getting out some of
the salt junk, set it roasting on stake
stuck slantwise over their fire.
While this was in progress two or
three of them were overhauling the con-
tents of the farthest wagon, while the
rest sat round the fire. From where I
stood I could see what they were about
very well, though the distance back to
their fire was fifty or sixty yards.
After while saw one of them with
his Ratchet break open one of the blast
ing-oil boxes. Itwas full of what looked
to be -four or plaster but packed in it
were bright tin cans as large as quart
measure.
The Indian looked at them curiously
then he cut one open with his ak and
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