The National tribune., 1882-02-04


sleep; every light was extinguished in the camp;
even the indispensable pipes were screened, lest
their glow should betray their owners, and mid
night was near, when a faint sound, which
might have been the cry of distant night-bird,
was heard. Every man grasped his rifle, whilst
Jose hissed in fierce whisper to his unlucky
countryman with great English additions: You
move a finger-only wink!- land l put knife
in your ribs"
The cry was again repeated; and then dozen
flashes broke out of the darkness of the night,
and what might have been muderous volley was
fired at close quarters, into the tents, while hid
eous chorus of yells and shouts told that the
long-dreaded assault had now begun in earnest
single flash from old Sannys pistol, as he
lay on the summit of the mesa was for moment
the only reply; but then bright blaze shot up,
apparently from the earth, which instantly be-
came a tall column of fame, brilliant and unwav-
ering in the still air, and proceeding from pyra-
mid of rags straw, wood splinters, and all kinds
of rubbish, collected by SAMMY, and soaked in
paraffin or kerosene OIL The shouts of the be-
segers were returned by those in the camp; and
as all disguise was now at an end volley after
volley was fired into the deep shadow ofthe mesa,
while the pillar Of light showed the assailants as
they moved to and fro. Suddenly harsh voice
it was recognised-was heard to shout: "Now,
boys, for the rush -
score of figures leaped from the earth at this,
and came with headlong speed for the camp.
"Be ready meet them coolly," shouted Elkley
in return He was hidden by the gloom; but a
bullet struck him as he spoke, and he fell. The
IL,
gave one final yell, preparatory to the hand-to-
hand fight which seema6 inevitable some swift
Jets of fire flashed from an arroyo in their rear,
the sharp crack of rife-shots was heard, and at
least half-a-dozen of their number were seen, by
the light on the hill, to stumble and fall. A
volley was then fired from the camp; while the
shouts in front and rear told that the stormers
themselves were to be attacked in both quarters
They paused in their rush; several of them
dropped ON the prairie to seek cover. Their
leader shouted in vain. Boys" he screamed,
" the camp is your own. 1t is full of dollars!
Darn ye! Don't give it up"
Ere he could utter another word, he and those
with him were in the centre of a wild fight, where
the flash of firearms sweeping blows with rifle
butts, and the CLEAN of knives, all had their part.
The assailants were beaten back; several of them
had hurried away-leaving their comrades to
their fate-when the first deadly volley was
poured upon them from the rear. The leader
himself was wounded, and had retreated for a
moment behind a mound. Come, captain it is
of no use fighting any longer" said one of those
who had kept resolutely by his side; we're
Tle ls45er ed as to fly; but as he did so the
pcv aE11 on the mesa showed the dresses
- :. .---,-.., 10 .7ere apparently standing in
wagon, watching the contest "If it's my last
shot, she dies, for a traitress!" exclaimed the
leader, throwing his rife to his shoulder AS he
spoke, a man who had been engaged with the
last of the assailants who showed fight, sprang
towards him and knocked the barrel on one side.
"Sy Tate, you're wrong! The bullet amt cast
that can hurt Senorita Annie. Give in, or you're
a dead man."
Jose-for it was the Mexican-had closed with
Sy while speaking; but the old desperate man
aged to draw his pistol, and its flash, followed
by an execration from Jose, told the latter was
hit lust as he threw his arms around Tate, and
they fell heavily together. The report of the
pistol with the noise of their struggle drew sew
era of the camp party to the spot, for all was now
quiet elsewhere. The band of stormers was
disabled or had fled.
JOSEF! " cried the voice of Mr.. SAMMY, " let me
git shot at him, Jose! Are you On top or un-
der?" -.-
There was a momentary still fercer dashing |
and writhing with the two men, neither of
whom could be distinguished by those who stood
around, then terrific shrek followed, and then
Jose rose on one knee, painting from the struggle |
and sheathed his knife. "I reckon he's dead"
said Jose quietly. "Old Juanna was right |
Now we can 60 and lynch that Mesican."
"You can't" said Mr.. SAMMY; " l reckon I've
quieted him. 1 couldn't help it, pardner |
meant to leave him to you but see him shoot |
Senior Elkley in the back, and my feelings was
too much for me-"
Captain Elkley killed." exclaimed those
who heard this announcement and rush in
stantly took place to the camp, where under the
guidance of Mr.. SAMMY, they found Gerald
stretched upon his face, with the blood still
oozing from a gun-shot wound in the neck.
He amt dead" said Jose, who had at once
dropped on his knees by the side of the insen-
sible man. Go and fetch SenOrita Annie, and
ell her to bring the bandages and fxings. l
want some for my own thigh; that old Sy Tate
nearly made me pass in my checks" This was
Jose's mode of explaining how nearly he had
been killed and it was accepted as being quite