The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-01-28
The R,,tIes,.bo sovsa.u,sY,,0

dame there was none We could not
break camp now with our weak men upon our hands,
ann only remained Tor some one to attompt the des-
pelHo Journey across tho San Juan Range, 10y way "
the DEVILS Pass to Anlmas, and return with food or
q iescuing party. Failing Of that spring-tlme
would mud our cabin inhabited by corpscs
we drew lots among ourselves, therefore, we
Wen mon, 10 decide who should undertake this peril.
Gus Trip and the risk fell upon me. II was host
party bcst knew tho tran. without waste OF words
or time, | prepared myself FOR the Journey and,
Iale moon bad fallen behind tho western mountains,
bado goodbye tony comrades and started. Turn
lng my back upon the camp, settled my course by
star and ut brisk pace stored southward. All
Day continued on the trail, ever with n watchfu
eyes Tor Indian sgns-for believed our old enemies
still In the viclnty-but all day unmolested ard AZ
last weary and worn, rs tho chin shadows began 10
creep across the great white plain behind me, saw
looming up In front tho san Juan Range, gashed
WIN marrow gOrgo-the Dovll's Pass Once
thought that horrible grave-for II was Ilttlo else
anu the road TO Animas would be compnratlyely
easy. My spirits rose hopefully.I
Asdatkness came fairly down found myself lust
~ the mouth o the canon which lei up to the pass
aug deemlng II most sheltered place for a camping
SPOT, ] soon gathered heap Of dead limbs beneath
an OYerhangiug rock where the snow had not vet
come, butt roaring IRE, which warmed and cheered
me ana prepared for the night felt little fear for
the narrow, frownlng canon walls would hide tho
.ght OF my fire from all the plain country. The only
disturbance which might look for would be tho howl
me, and cared not for them.
WIN these comforting reflections, therefore. ate
hearty supper drank little melted snow-water, III
my pine, and rolling myself In my blanket crowded
close to the rock wall behind mo- now wei warmedb by
my hre. Aud So In the nlcketng light protected
slumbor, 80 w ~
How long slept cannot say. 1t was deep In the
nght When woke with sudden chill. II was as n
SOME one had touched mo with cold and clammy
hand but even before was well awake my frontiers
mans caution returned aud opened my eyes slowly
and didn't move,
The fire all but out and the ehostIy light from
us lying embefs touched the snow and rocks and
Trees about with strange color like thick blood.
me air was growing chill and st, too. except for
the cry OF cayote far up the canon wall opposite who
whined and barked necessarily. There was some
thing almost oppressive about the silence 10 me
when suddenly, from lust beyond my smoullerlnr
iro the sound OF step startled me- aud before had
time even to move there was bending over me hide
Gus, painted face-the face OF a savage And In his
hand, already creeping toward my heart, was his
heavy scalping-kDlfe To describe my sensations is
impossible Some terrible spell seemed 10 bind me,
Not only was facing danger which meant instant
death, but was unable to move oven In the ATTEMPT
to save myself. It was as II were fascinated. |
tried TO reason with myself. This was but single
enemy. IL should spring upon him might kin
him and so he free; but, although the reasoning was
all right, the action unable to bring about and
all the time the terrible knife drew nearer The red.
skin knew that was awake and that saw him. but
blow.
Al last, however saw the CLEAN OF his eye tho
tightening of his muscles, and knew that In Instant
more all would beoyer, when sudden harsh, metallic
rattle sounded. as II II were In my very bosom. |
felt something glide from my slde-a long, scaly
'naky body shot out TO meet the dusky OH coming
arm. There was blow, then . cry OF horror, and,
rs the knife fell ringing to tho earth, ratlesnake
,rawled slowly away. and tho uncompabgrc with his
now nervelesS hand outstreched and the blood drip
ping slowly from his parted fingers with long Wild
ieath shrek turned and disappeared In the darkness
Ihc RATHER, which my fire had drawn from his winter
quarters, had saved my life and the lives of my COM
lanlons.
week later with party of thirty good fellows, I |
ecrossed the san Juan range and rescued my party
rom starvation and the Indians and IL Il because OF
what that snake did for me In Devis Pass nigh on |
wenty years ago, that let the critters live to- day.
Miners Story in The Toledo Blade,