The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-12-13

NAN OF A HUNDRED.

At twenty-one woke one morning and
found myself on board steamer, with
81 in my pocket, on my way TO Vera
Cruz 10 take charge Of large gold mine
al So, eco II year.
When got to the mines they gave me
warm reception, and I carry the marks
of shot in my eye, in my nose, and my
breast, from the mountain bandits.
Soon afterward started with sixteen
men and some Nexicans to engage in
placer mining on Soapberry Greek, in
the Apache country Not week passed
in which we were not attacked by the
murderous redskins, who some times
charged up 70 the very walls of our
block k-house.
Alter working six months we started
for the City Of Mexico with $500. coo in
in gold, Just before reaching the plain
l saw by my glass that we were pursued
by a large body of braves, eager fer
scalps aud plunder. 1 set my men in
detile and waited. Before long the
Apache brayes IN their war g9sr, ap-
proacued in Indian Gle. We held our
fire until they were within q hundred
feet and then delivered :nurderous
yolley. At first the line rscoiled like
wounded snake, but the next moment we
heard tho Apache war-whoop. The
braves urged forward their horses with
reckless courage, and almost before We
could empty our second barrels the red
rascals were surging around US and
thruSting their spears at us among the
rocks. 1t less time than it takes TO tell
it, we had each fired dozen shots or
more, and scarce one missed its aim.
There was soon q rampant Of redskins.
lying before MS. As soon as their assault
wavered, our men charged through the
smoke, and emplied score more of
saddles.
For the frst time in my life saw the
Apaches retreat without carrying off
their dead, which is q point cf honor
with them. Bnt some of our men, sei2.
ing the riderless horses, pursued them
half mile or more.
was brought to halt by startling
incident. Suddenly oue of the retreat
| ing Indians turned his horse nnd rode
toward US. was on the point of shoot
ing him when. to my surprise, saw an
Apache turn and hurl tomahawk at the
fugitive. changed my aim and sent q
| bullet into the second mark, The de-
serter was soon surrounded by our men,
and our surprise was redoubled by find
ing that oGr captive was white woman,
aud that sho carried on the saddle before
her child OF 10 years of age or more.
We asked her if there we're any other
white prisoners among the Indians. She
shook her head. and falling on her
knees, began pouring forth thanks to
the Virgin and OURSELVES for her deliver
nnce.
Our prisoner turned out to be the
daughter OF Mexican governor. who
had been carried of by the Apaches in n
lamous raid many years before and made
the wife of one of their chiefs, who was
killed during the fight. But her daugh-
ter--:cr the child turned out to be girl
what q wonderful creature she was!
She might as we'll be called natures dar-
ling, The child of the mountain, the
river and the desert. she had the grace
of the floating cloud and the charm of
the tawn disappearing in the leafy
covert.
BY the way what stickler my wife is
for fashion-how eagerly she adopts the
latest ripple in dress or manner! This
Summer. at Saratoga, she had her hair
Dieached, Well, my wife is no other
than this child of nature.