San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-02-08

IL lnulnb sue Wdh III Nv
danger, she unused: Il wonder where
moor Gus is! Ii he killed all those
Indians? If he will get to the train
before do? Ii we won't both be late?
Ii the conductor will wait, and what
the fare is by this road, and why does
not the ticket man come aroundy
what if the tunnel should sud
denly stop-oh, here am!
LII.
Old Joe Milford and his partner
lived in cave near the banks OF the
Rio Grande.
The river being deep at this point,
Joe and his partner had selected tins
cave as II place OF safety from the
attacks OF Indians.
Above and below the cave, which
occupied an elevated ledge of about
half an acre in extent, the waters
washed the steep walls OF the blutt,
A boat offered means OF egress, ana
the railroad track swept by on the OPP
posite side Of the river.
At the rear of the cave a small cayl-
ty OF recess in the rock, from which
leading up above was Il circular tun-
mel. This singular shaft was inclined
at an angle of about forty-tive degrees
and the sides worn smooth by the ac-
ton of water which had at some dis
tant day poured down to the river.
Aztec figures adorned the walls, PROV
ing the cave had AZ one time been III
habited.
When Joe and his "Pard" moved
into the natural fortress, they built
fire in this e-place, and to their as
constituent they found it drew splen-
didly.
Having thrown on a large pile of
wood and ignlted it, the fire increased
the draft to such an extent that wood
and all went up the fue.
To overcome this difficulty, the fire
was built in the center of the cavern,
when the natural chimney was found
to work like a charm, and the pans
and kettles were set backin the recess
behind the fire. The ashes also found
4 resting place with the pans.
On the day of the Indian surprise,
related above, Joe and Sam were
seated at the rude table, eating their
Inner, when the conversation turned
IN spiritualism.
mo, Sam, l don't believe in such
Kings. Those people, in olden times
nay have seen them, but | have my
ioubts."
Joe, could tell a circumstance
hat would convince you, that is, if
you would believe me"
Sam, you know would; you have
never deceived me-"
Eyes, Joe; spirits from the other
world have often appeared, even in
he bright light of day."
well, | would like to see one"
eff you did, Joe, you would say
here was some deception, even if one
appeared before us now"
mot Sam, if you could call one
rom the misty deep, would be con-
-inced and believe"
well, Joe, suppose we call for
ONE"
why, [ never thought of that.
3ut do you think they would Gomez"
I'VE can try! Go ahead, Joe."
"No, Sam, you first; [ was never ia
he spirit business.
We'll, here we go for a private
eancc, as the professionals call it. "
Are there any spirits present, if SO,
lease reveal yourselyes?" said Sam,
Il a loud voice.
Suddenly cloud Of ashes rose
rom the old fireplace; a shower of
'ots and pans flew out over the floor
# the We, as Irene fnishedher jour
icy, and shot out into the center of
he cavern in a sitting posture.
The two men gazed but for mo-
nent, and then quickly deserted the
ave.
AS they appeared On the outside,
hots were heard over head; in rapid
uccession seventeen shots were fired
pparently in the air, and q man with
he speed of a meteor, or more like
he arch fiend in his descent from
heaven, flashed through The air and
lnded in the river. l
When Gustavus Slaughter unhesi-
atingiy leaped over the cliffs, to the
of the Indians, and as he
vas falling, he turned, raised his
to his shoulderand pulled
he trigger. An Indian toppled over
Sith d bullet hole through his left
We, and while he kept falling, Gus
ept pulling the trigger. and seven